Nashik: The New Travel Attraction for Weekend Getaways

Nashik is now being hailed as the new wine capital of India, and travellers from Pune and Mumbai have been travelling to the location in greater numbers than ever before. The reason behind such a spike in travel could be the beautiful greens of the scenic vineyards of Nashik or the detailed tours of the winemaking facilities of Sula. According to statistics, almost 400,000 people annually arrive in Nashik for guided tours and wine tasting. 

The beauty of the vivacious vineyards stretching from one end of the spectrum to another cannot be overstated. Their beauty is one of the most welcoming features that travellers witness. While internationally grapes for wine processing are harvested during September and October, in Nashik, grapes are harvested during the months of January to March.

Indian Wine processing methods are completely different from international methods of winemaking. Due to the proximity to the equator and the exposure to the sun, the grapes witness totally different challenges while ripening. Due to such differences, the harvesting cycle and germination periods are very different from those followed in countries like the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.

Despite such challenges, wineries like Sula have gained worldwide recognition for their products, such as the Rasa Range. This recognition is also partly due to the RASA Cabernet Sauvignon, which won the Gold at Global Masters.

Wine Making and its Relation with Tourism

The overall development of wine-making as a recreational experience for travellers has changed the dynamics of tourism in Nashik. Rather than a tedious process conducted behind the closed doors of refineries, the winemaking and ageing process is on display for everyone to witness and enjoy. Plus, special passes allow you to taste Sula's different wines and products.  Beyond the above-mentioned points, Sula Winery is also taking proactive steps to upkeep the soil vitality in Nashik by using sustainable viticulture and ensuring that out of total electricity usage, 60% comes from solar plants.

The open-door policy at Sula makes them an even more venerable name in India; visitors can easily opt for their guided tours and see their fermentation tankers and the ageing rooms where premium Wines are aged in their French and American Barrels.  For any wine connoisseur or even a normal enthusiast, the guided tours, along with experts, could be a lifetime experience. Once you know the ins and outs of winemaking, you get to taste the crisp and mellow tastes of different wines being produced in India.

To visit the Sula winery, you would have to buy a ticket for Rs 600, which you can redeem while touring and tasting at the restaurants at Vineyards. Plus, the in-house restaurants will satisfy all your cravings with national and continental menus.  The vibrant greens complemented by the décor of the restaurant will surely make your social media handles the talk of the town.

Vineyard Resorts and Weekend Getaways

The Sula vineyards are beyond just a travelling spot; they are one of the most beautiful weekend getaways for anyone from Mumbai and other neighbouring places.  The Vineyard hotel residence comprises several options, such as suites, Cottages and crowd-puller tree houses, etc. Each one of these accommodations has a different feel and finish.  Although the prices of suites would be a little bit higher, they would be worth it since all of these suites and places have been built in palatial settings with vast greenery pastures.  Prices of a night stay can vary from about 10-12k.

In most of these villas, visitors can enjoy the jacuzzi, open gyms, and various other amenities.

Wine Tourism is on the rise, and as time passes, companies like Sula aim to expand their foothold in India. Following the same pursuit, Sula has launched a new ultra-luxurious property with a stunning view at the Gangapur Lake.

India And its Relation with Wines

Statistics showcase that wine constitutes only 1% of India’s alcohol consumption since consumers in India enjoy indulging in heavy drinks a lot more. However, over time, the share of wines has expanded, with the younger generation taking a keen interest in the overall process of wine development and differences in tastes. Further, the wine-in-a-can concept has pushed the boundaries of wine consumption in India.

Other Travel Worthy locations in Nashik

Harihar Fort

Located at a distance of about 48 km from Nashik, over the years, the location has become a must-visit place for travellers in Nashik. The trek, as well as the ascension on the rock-cut steps, is one of the most famous for travellers and tourists in Nashik.

 

You can plan an escapade to the Harihar fort from August till October or till late winter, as during the summer season, the weather wouldn’t be hospitable for the trek above.  The fort sits enveloped in between the vivacious green vegetation of the valley around and would be a picturesque vista for any traveller.

Trimbakeshwar Temple

Trimbakeshwar is amongst the 12 jyotirlingas of lord shiva, devotees from all over India come here to witness the beautiful temple and express their love and devotion for lord Shiva. The temple is situated right below the Bramhagiri mountain.  The river Godawari originates from here as well; hence, it's considered one of the most holy places in Nashik. 

As per the scriptures of Veda and Puran, this place is considered the birthing place of Lord Ganesha; inside the temple's exterior, devotees can witness the three lingas that represent Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Pandavleni Caves

If you seek adventure and want to hike and trek, then you should definitely visit the Pandavleni caves in Nashik. Located at a height of approximately 300 ft amidst a thick green forest, you can witness the ingenuity that would have gone into making these caves in those olden days at this height. The timing to visit this place would be around 8:00 A.m. to 5:30 p.m.

If you plan to travel to Nashik from Mumbai and cannot find any buses or trains or need more freedom while travelling, you can always rely on RenTrip. At RenTrip, we provide the most affordable and easy-to-use self-drive car rentals in Mumbai, which you can use to reach Nashik and drive around as you please without any restrictions or boundaries.