The popularity of wine in India has started growing rapidly. Along with it, India is also experiencing a boom in wine tourism. Many Indian vineyards now have tasting rooms, so wine enthusiasts can enjoy exploring India's wine regions. It's often possible to complete the experience by staying at at the vineyards.
India's main wine region is Nashik, around four hours northeast of Mumbai, in Maharashtra. However, there are also some reputable wineries scattered further south in India. Visit these vineyards to enjoy some of the best wine in India.
Sula Vineyards
Sula Vineyards is India's most popular winery. From humble beginnings in 1999, Sula Vineyards has admirably developed into a world class winery with a market share of more than 70% in India. The winery is open to visitors, who can enjoy a tour, tastings, courses, and fun events including the immensely popular SulaFest that's held in early February each year. Little Italy restaurant serves delicious Italian cuisine to complement the wine.
Sula Vineyards established India's first vineyard resort, called Beyond. It has 32 rooms with private balconies situated a short distance from the winery. There's also a restaurant, swimming pool, spa and gym, and games room. Package rates start from 8,000 rupees per night for a couple.
Location: On the outskirts of Nashik, off Gangapur-Savargaon Road, 20 minutes from town.
Grover Zampa
Grover Vineyards, one of India's oldest wine makers situated near Bangalore in Karnataka, merged with Maharashtra-based Vallée de Vin (producer of premium wine brand Zampa) in 2012 to better compete with Sula. Established as a family business in 1988, Grover Vineyards has expanded to over 410 acres. The winery focuses on producing premium wines, with the standout being its award winning La Reserve brand of oak matured Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz reds. There are extensive wine trails across the property, and it's also possible to visit the winery's barrel room. Three and a half hour tours followed by lunch start daily at 10.30 a.m.
Shorter tours and tastings are also offered at the ambient but much smaller Maharashtra vineyard, with its attractive courtyards. You can enjoy a variety of wines there, including Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and sparkling Rose and Brut.
Location: Nandi Hills, around 50 kilometers north of Bangalore in Karnataka. Sanjegaon, around halfway between Igatpuri and Nashik, just off the Mumbai-Nasik Highway in Maharashtra.
York Winery and Tasting Room
Located not far from Sula Vineyards, and with a view over Gangapur Dam and the hills beyond, boutique York Winery is where you should head for serene sunset tastings. The tasting room is open daily from noon until 10 p.m. Tours are also offered from 12.30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
York Winery has won a range of awards for its wine varieties, both red and white. However, most impressive is its Arros reserve blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, released in late 2014. York also released its own sparkling wine, York Sparkling Brut, near the end of 2014. It's made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes.
Location: On the outskirts of Nashik, off Gangapur-Savargaon Road, 20 minutes from town.
Charosa Vineyards
Charosa Vineyards was set up on a sprawling 230 acres of land in 2008 but didn't enter the wine market until late 2013. It targets the premium segment and has three different labels at various price points: Reserve, Pleasures, and Selection.
Charosa introduced Tempranillo, a grape of Spanish origin, to the Indian market for the first time. Its Reserve Tempranillo has drawn many accolades and is perhaps the pick of the wines. However, the Sauvignon Blanc is refreshingly good for a white wine in India and Charosa produces the best Voignier too.
It's possible to visit the vineyard and sample the wine, although lack of decent roads from Nashik is a limiting factor. It's a narrow, winding journey to get there.
Location: Charosa village, around 55 kilometers (one hour) from Nashik in the Dindori district.
Fratelli Wines
Fratelli (meaning "brothers" in Italian) was stated in 2007 by three pairs of brothers from Italy, Delhi, and Maharashtra. This remote vineyard produces some excellent reserve wines on its 240 acre estate. The outstanding Sette reserve red is among the best red wine in India. Its introduction has been followed up by the launch of two reserve white wines in 2014 -- Vitae (a Chardonnay) and Vitae Tre (a blend of Muller Thurgau, Gewürztraminer and Chenin Blanc).
A full day package costs 1,500 rupees per person, including tours and tastings. However, it's recommended that you stay at least one night in the winery's modern accommodations, as it's not easy to reach. A weekend overnight package costs 11,000 rupees for a couple, and a two night rejuvenation package costs 19,000 rupees for a couple. This is fully inclusive. It's much cheaper during the week. It's also possible to rent the whole vineyard for groups.
Location: Akluj, in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. It's approximately 300 kilometers (6 hours) from Mumbai.
Chandon
If you're a fan of sparking wine, you'll be pleased to know that globally-renowned Chandon made a much anticipated entry into India in early 2016. The vineyard is located on 21 acres of land next to Chateau d'Ori near Nashik. Its pristine facility (the sixth in the world) sparkles, just like its brut and rose wines. Winery tours are offered. There's also a tasting space and patio overlooking the manicured grounds, for future wine tourism. Prior reservations are required to visit. Phone +91 253 307 2613.
Location: At the base of the picturesque Nhera-Ori hills at Dindori, around 25 kilometers (30 minutes) north of Nashik on the Nashik-Dindori Road.