ALL ABOUT SULA VINEYARDS

Sula Vineyards is the top wine producer in India and has the most accessible winery. From humble beginnings in 1997, Sula Vineyards has admirably developed into a world-class winery with boutique guest accommodations. The winery is open to visitors, who can enjoy a tour, tastings, courses, and fun events. With 2 major wineries in the countries, Nashik is the smaller one but still unique enough of an operation to not feel too commercial but large enough to provide visitors with an awesome tour and tasting.

Best time to visit Sula Vineyards

Sula is open all year, Monday to Sunday, and there are several activities every day. The grape season is from January to March and hence it is the best time to see them grow in the vineyard and observe it’s process. That is also the reason why Sula fest is conducted in February every year. Sula Fest take place on the first weekend of every February.

Reaching Sula Vineyards from Nashik

The winery is located on the outskirts of Nashik, and takes about 30 minutes to reach. It is conveniently located 4 hours each from Mumbai and Pune and thus is a happening weekend destination and makes Sula Vineyards worth the visit.

SULA WINE TOUR AND TASTING

Like most wine tours, it begins with the history of Sula, leads you through the vinification process and warehouse and then ends with a tasting. The entry ticket to this is INR 600 per person on weekdays and INR 1000 per person on weekends which will cover a 30 minute escorted tour of the winery, including the processing rooms, and tasting of six wines. The tours take place every 45 minutes between 11:30 am and 6:30 pm (7:30 pm on weekends) everyday (except dry days), and provide a good insight into the winemaking process.​ The Sula tour is very personal and educational. The tour guide tells about the types of grapes harvested – green and black and the kind of wines made from them. 

Then they take you through the entire process of crushing, fermentation, pressing, clarification, aging and bottling from beginning to end and I was to take a peek inside the warehouse where some wood barrels are as old as 20 year old.

The tasting, of course, is the most exciting part of the tour. Wine etiquette like temperature, smell, swirl and combination food are discussed in the Tasting Room. These were the 6 wines up for tasting, served with biscuits.

Sula Brut Chardonnay

The Chardonnay is a sparkling wine that is light and fresh having biscuit dough aromas whilst the palate features crisp chardonnay flavours and light crack yeast lees characteristics. 

Sula Sauvignon Blanc

This wine made the world sit up and take notice of Indian wines. Herbaceous, crisp, WHITE and dry, with aromas of bell peppers, intermingled with tropical fruits like passion fruit and gooseberry with a racy, zingy finish. 

Sula Dindori Reserve Chardonnay

An exotic elixir of peach and lychee flavours is a white wine. Floral, spicy, stunning. Great as an aperitif and terrific with spicy food, blue/goat cheese as well as seafood. 

Sula Rasa Syrah

Went a little BOLD with this one, not my style but my Malay sweetheart enjoyed this one so I am sure, this will be a treat for Red wine lovers.

Sula Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon

A red wine, worthy of a collector’s edition! It is aged in French oak barrels for over a year which makes it into a velvety smooth wine with a powerful finesse with a hint of fruit and spice. 

Sula Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is India’s best selling white wine and is cold-fermented and finished in a semi-dry style. It is a light, fresh, fruity character, which makes it an excellent aperitif.

SUSTAINABILITY AT SULA VINEYARDS

I was really intrigued to know about the sustainability practised by Sula as I saw many boards claiming it. So I went ahead and asked the tour guide and this is what he told me and boy was I impressed!

Solar power

More than 75% of power used in Sula Vineyards comes from solar energy. Almost all the rooftops at the hotel, offices and restaurant are covered with solar panels in the vineyards.

Water recycling

Sula has really made sustainability seriously. With water efficient bathroom fittings in rooms, there are signs encouraging visitors and hotel guests to turn off taps. An effluent treatment plant (ETP) on site ensures all the water used in premises is treated and reused. This treated and disinfected water is used in housekeeping and also in the vineyards. 

Drip irrigation

In order to cut down on traditional irrigation practices which use a lot of water, drip irrigation system is installed in vineyards which cuts water consumption by almost half.

No plastic zone

There are no PET bottles for sale or in use at Sula hotel or restaurants. PET bottles are replaced by reusable glass bottles for mineral water. Dedicated efforts are undertaken to eradicate plastic from all food and beverage offerings, including cutlery and packaging.

No waste zone

Sula has its own biogas unit which is fueled by food waste generated by the restaurants. Hence there is no sent to landfills.

Best from waste

Sula went a step forward to use the last bit of waste from grapes – the grapeseed. They used to compost it but due to its stony nature, they did not decompose soon. Hence Sula introduced grapeseed oil made from it – using all bits of waste and putting it in good use.

Supporting the local community

As a part of CRS mandate, Sula employees the local community from the surrounding village. 

Accommodation at Sula

Sula Vineyards offers two options for visitors who want to stay near the vineyard. 

Beyond by Sula

It has seven rooms plus a separate 3-bedroom villa, overlooking the lake. You can book it here.

The Source at Sula

It is a 23 room resort (including four tree houses) in the middle of the vineyards, built to resemble a Tuscan mansion. It has a swimming pool, tennis court, and spa. You can book it here.

Alternatively, staying in Nashik is a convenient option for visiting Sula. You can stay at Holiday Inn Express for a comfortable and budget stay.

RESTUARANTS AT SULA VINEYARDS

Whether you choose the tasting tour or not, you want to spend some time at their restaurant – Little Italy for snacks or meals with wine. To accompany the wine, you can order a platter of assorted cheeses, crackers, olives, nuts, and dried fruit. There is another restaurant – Soma which specializes in north Indian cuisine.

SO, IS SULA VINEYARDS WORTH THE VISIT?

Definitely YES!

If you like wines and want to have a relaxed day around the vineyards.

If you don’t drink alcohol, there are many photo points and activities to do. The popular grape stomping at Sula happens from mid-February to mid-March and one can enjoy it.

Read More posts from Maharashtra

• Lohagad Trek: One day trip  from Pune
• Tadoba National Park
• Diveagar Beach
• One day trip to Alibaug
• Junnar Tourism

Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.

Pin this post!