Indian wineries, like their Californian counterparts, are investing heavily in setting up the infrastructure to develop the vineyards as tourist destinations.
PUNE: It's not only wine but also wine tourism that is increasingly becoming popular in India. And to cash in on its growing popularity, Indian wineries, like their Californian counterparts, are investing heavily in setting up the infrastructure to develop the vineyards as tourist destinations.
There are two routes of wine tours in Maharashtra for the wine enthusiasts.
Nashik is the main hub of wine tourism with the popular vineyard of Sula Wines. But other wineries too have recently opened up their facilities for tourists.
According to industry sources, Chauteau D'ori, situated in Dindori taluka in Nashik district, will soon be opening up its wine tourism facilities. Vallonne Vineyards, the boutique winery near Igatpuri in Nashik, too has started wine tourism.
The York winery has plans to develop its vineyards into tourist place.
"We have definite plans of developing wine tourism in the future," said Ravi Gurnani, founder of the York winery.
The other route is along the Solapur highway with the Fratelli Wines at Akluj, having an Italian joint venture, recently throwing its four rooms open for wine tourists.
"We have started marketing of wine tourism from last month. Our guest house has four rooms but we can accommodate more people at our hotel in the neighbourhood. Currently, we conduct the tours on weekends," said Arjunsinh Mohite Patil, director, Fratelli Wines. Wine tourists are waiting for the opening up of the facilities of UB Group's Four Seasons winery in Baramati near Pune.
Most of the wineries have modern wine tasting facilities at the vineyards that help in promotion of wines, which still have a smaller consumption base in India.
Avijit Barman, founder, winetourindia.com, who conducts wine tours in Maharashtra and Karnataka, said that unlike the West, where elderly couple go for wine tours, it is the people in their 30s having small children, who are the main category of wine tourists here.
"Interestingly, women comprise 60% of the people who do online booking of wine tours," said Barman.
In Maharashtra, even the smaller wineries have set up accommodation and food facilities. However, wineries in Karnataka do not have these facilities. The Grover Zampa Vineyards at Nandi Hills near Bangalore and the smaller wineries around it are one route while smaller wineries near Mysore are the second route of wine tourism in Karnataka.
Though October to March has been the season of visiting vineyards, the seasonality is gradually waning.
"Barring harsh rains and summers, people enjoy wine tours almost round the year," said Avijit Barman.
PUNE: It's not only wine but also wine tourism that is increasingly becoming popular in India. And to cash in on its growing popularity, Indian wineries, like their Californian counterparts, are investing heavily in setting up the infrastructure to develop the vineyards as tourist destinations.
There are two routes of wine tours in Maharashtra for the wine enthusiasts.
Nashik is the main hub of wine tourism with the popular vineyard of Sula Wines. But other wineries too have recently opened up their facilities for tourists.
According to industry sources, Chauteau D'ori, situated in Dindori taluka in Nashik district, will soon be opening up its wine tourism facilities. Vallonne Vineyards, the boutique winery near Igatpuri in Nashik, too has started wine tourism.
The York winery has plans to develop its vineyards into tourist place.
"We have definite plans of developing wine tourism in the future," said Ravi Gurnani, founder of the York winery.
The other route is along the Solapur highway with the Fratelli Wines at Akluj, having an Italian joint venture, recently throwing its four rooms open for wine tourists.
"We have started marketing of wine tourism from last month. Our guest house has four rooms but we can accommodate more people at our hotel in the neighbourhood. Currently, we conduct the tours on weekends," said Arjunsinh Mohite Patil, director, Fratelli Wines. Wine tourists are waiting for the opening up of the facilities of UB Group's Four Seasons winery in Baramati near Pune.
Most of the wineries have modern wine tasting facilities at the vineyards that help in promotion of wines, which still have a smaller consumption base in India.
Avijit Barman, founder, winetourindia.com, who conducts wine tours in Maharashtra and Karnataka, said that unlike the West, where elderly couple go for wine tours, it is the people in their 30s having small children, who are the main category of wine tourists here.
"Interestingly, women comprise 60% of the people who do online booking of wine tours," said Barman.
In Maharashtra, even the smaller wineries have set up accommodation and food facilities. However, wineries in Karnataka do not have these facilities. The Grover Zampa Vineyards at Nandi Hills near Bangalore and the smaller wineries around it are one route while smaller wineries near Mysore are the second route of wine tourism in Karnataka.
Though October to March has been the season of visiting vineyards, the seasonality is gradually waning.
"Barring harsh rains and summers, people enjoy wine tours almost round the year," said Avijit Barman.
