WINE, VINES & A PERFECT GETAWAY

A long-awaited one-day vineyard getaway from Bengaluru is finally possible now; and it's as delightful as it is unexpected and affordable...

- ROMAL LAISRAM

HE classic romantic comedy often features a woman leaving behind her fast-paced, high-powered life in the city to settle in the serene countryside, where she discovers the beauty of nature, wine and a potential romance under the Tuscan sun. While we may not be searching for love on this particular journey, we do find ourselves in a picturesque vineyard (in Doddaballapura), surrounded by rows of grapevines and the promise of a perfect day—driven purely by our passion for wine and all its wonders.

A few decades ago, if someone had suggested that Bengaluru would become a top producer of international-quality wines, they might have been met with a knowing smirk. Yet here we are in 2024, witnessing a remarkable transformation. The areas of Doddaballapura, Kolar, Chikkaballapura and a few other towns in the region are now home to some of the finest wineries in India. From cultivating a range of wine-producing grapes—some even native to the region—to bottling wines that have found their place in international markets, the dream of a thriving Indian wine industry has finally become a reality.