While there’s often a lot to whine about as the working week comes to an end, a glass of wine with your loved ones helps ease the stress of all those work calls and late nights. We all need a wine break some time or the other. The beauty of slowly enjoying a glass of wine over a stimulating conversation is unparalleled. Since it is not an activity that you finish in a hurry, drinking wine is an epitome of the slow life. Much like drinking wine, the entire process of making a trip to a vineyard is a memorable experience. From driving to the vineyard to walking through the lush fields, taking a wine tour, and finally sampling delicious wine, a road trip to vineyards is always a good idea.
If you live in Mumbai and want to get away for a weekend, now is the best time. Since monsoon is in full swing, the greenery will make the Western Ghats look even more beautiful! This is the best time to plan a road trip. As far as the destination is concerned, what better place than a vineyard? Since you get to enjoy the gorgeous green landscapes in a vineyard during the monsoon, it is the best time to plan a road trip to vineyards near Mumbai! With certain travel restrictions in place, one benefit people in Maharashtra get to enjoy is lesser crowds in these vineyards. This means that you can enjoy the natural beauty and the experiences these vineyards offer without many people around. Now that’s some luxury.
People in Mumbai are spoilt for choice as Mumbai is surrounded by some of the best vineyards in the country! If you need help deciding which vineyard to go to, here are some of the best vineyards you must consider:
Fratelli Vineyards
Although this one is the farthest from Mumbai, it is great for those who seek solitude and luxury. Fratelli Vineyards is located in Akluj which is a 5-6 hour drive from Mumbai. The vineyards are spread over a large area with majestic landscapes all around. The wine cellar houses some of the best blends that Fratelli produces and you can opt for an elaborate wine tour. Additionally, you can also sign up for the Sette Masterclass, where the in-house experts will assist you in a wine-tasting session.
Adventure enthusiasts can opt for ATV rides in the property or choose to go biking in the vineyards. Machan, a restaurant that serves delightfully authentic Maharashtrian cuisine is perched on a hillock and offers sweeping views of the mountains and the vineyards. From picnicking in the vineyards to elegant wine-tastings, this wine experience is worth driving down to!
Vallonne Vineyards
If you want to have a wine-derful weekend without having to drive too much, Vallonne Vineyards is where you must go. Located in Igatpuri, you can reach Vallonne in under 4 hours. It is a quiet, secluded property which means you get to enjoy the beauty of the Western Ghats by yourself! The vineyard offers elegant ‘meet the winemaker’ sessions where you can visit the winery, understand the nuances of crafting wine, and know what goes into a bottle of Vallonne’s finest. The session also includes boutique wine tastings in their gorgeous property.
The Vineyards have a range of options as far as accommodation is concerned. If the delicious wine wasn’t enough to entice you, the name ‘Malaka Spice’ surely will. Pune’s finest Asian restaurant has an outpost at Vallonne Vineyards so you can enjoy a glass of wine with some scrumptious Asian delights with the Sahyadris to keep you company!
Sula Vineyards
If you love everything classic and want to experience only the best, there’s nothing like Sula. Located on the outskirts of Nashik, Sula Vineyards has pioneered wine tastings and tours in India. The property is at a distance of just 3 hours from Mumbai so it makes for a great road trip. Sula offers an extremely popular vineyard tour which is best witnessed during the monsoon!
You can start with a tour of the vineyards and learn about the winemaking process. You can then proceed to the wine-tasting where you can sample a variety of Sula’s best wines. Post the wine-tour, you can relax with a fabulous meal overlooking the vineyards at either of the 4 restaurants housed in the property itself. Needless to say, a bottle of Sula’s finest must accompany each meal.
The cherry on the top is Sula’s treehouses which you can choose to stay in, so that you can enjoy more time with your favorite wines!
Monsoon Wine-cation!
If you really need a monsoon getaway, there’s no better destination a vineyard!. If you want to take it up a notch and add more luxury to your much-deserved getaway, Hype is here for you. Opt for a chauffeur-driven or self-driven luxury car rental. Choose from a variety of options that match your style and taste.
With Hype, your wine-derful weekend just got more wonderful!
