That's Sula.
For a rookie like me, visiting a vineyard and that too an Indian, was a privilege. Considering the fact that not many Indians dare to venture into wine making as a business. Keeping that thought aside, we left from Mumbai for our destination which was 180km away in Nashik. This city is famous for its grapes, onions and tomatoes. Not many would know that Nashik has a religious connection as well. Panchavati forest which as per Ramayan is the place where Sri Ram lived in exile with Sita and Lakshman, lies in Nashik.
On your way from Mumbai, you get to enjoy the greenery on both sides of the highway. But be watchful of the devotees who walk their way to Shirdi - some carrying palkis on their shoulders, some walking barefoot and some carrying just the love in their hearts.
As you near Nashik, the signs of economic development become apparent. With road constructions and industrial development all around, Nashik has several people travelling daily in and out of the city. In the outskirts you will see the network of vineyards spread, at some places, on both sides of the road with in between spurts of water-bodies and other living bodies taking a dip in it.
On a particular junction, the signboard assures you that the Sula vineyard is just around the corner. As you take the turn, you'll see vineyards on both sides that grow both light and red grapes. And so you have arrived in the property, with your heart jumping in anticipation of what all you'll get to see, taste and of course take as memoir.
Sula offers its visitors tour of the vineyards and the winery. A tour guide gladly shared with us the secrets of the wine-making process from growing grapes to plucking them, crushing them, fermentation and finally bottling the colourful nectar. Soon after our mind recovered from assimilating the facts of the amazing wine-making process, we were ushered into the wine tasting room to taste few samples of the premium wine collection. The Sula wine sommelier took us through the proper way to see, swirl, sniff and sip wine. We tasted 6 Premium brands ranging from Sula Brute with strong colour and fruity punch to Sula Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, a smooth white wine. You also have the option to sit on the deck, enjoy your wine while you blend yourself with the serene surrounding. After having done all of that we decided to go for a ride around the location. Just a few kilometres ahead is the Gangapur reservoir which is beautifully placed in the center, while hills surround it on one side and lush green farms on the other.
With the beautiful green meadows, hills and the lake, you would want the moment to last forever. And so it did, in our memories, while we headed back to our abode!