Nashik is known as the “Wine Capital of India”. There is a good reason for that. Apart from the other agricultural products, this district produces more than half of the total grapes in India. Where there are vineyards, there are wineries. Again, this district is the largest wine producer in India. Thus, it is often known as the ‘Napa Valley of India.’ Among all other wines, Sula is a well-known name here. Sula has huge vineyards and wineries. They also have Sula Vineyard resort located out of the busy city premises in calm natural surroundings.
Sula Vineyard Resort in Nashik: A Luxury Escape
During the monsoon, we planned to celebrate a private belated family occasion. While searching for the destination we finally decided to visit Nashik which is very close to Pune and a perfect destination for a couple of nights. With the destination finalised, we started looking for our stay and this is when the idea of a relaxing stay came to mind and the Sula Vineyard resort popped up in our search list.
Normally, I do not prefer a lazy and relaxed outing. I have wheels under my feet and always try to explore more and more of a place without resting. I had my plans even if the purpose of the visit was a family occasion. The Sula Vineyard resort has two properties – one adjoining the winery and the other beside the Gangapur Band Sagar (or the Gangapur Dam Reservoir.) We decided to stay close to nature as the pictures of the property lured us so we picked the one beside the lake.
The day was gloomy from the morning and as we approached the Sula Vineyard Resorts road, the rain started. We crossed the resort adjoining the Sula Winery and entered the narrow mud road. The intensity of the rain increased and on reaching the second resort of the Sula Vineyard Resorts (better known as Beyond by Sula) we could hardly get out of our vehicle. Visibility was reduced to such an extent that anything beyond a couple of feet was invisible.
We were completely drenched as we reached our respective rooms. We had our plans, while the monsoon had something else in her mind. The heavy showers continued for the rest of the day with strong gusts of winds and we were confined within our rooms. With no outing to happen, we silently did our celebration in our room.
The rain stopped in the evening while it was dark when we were left with no opportunity to explore the surroundings. The next morning before breakfast we walked around the serene property and captured some breathtaking vistas with the Gangapur Lake in the backdrop. Seeing the sun we were hopeful for the rest of the day but as the day progressed the clouds arrived with heavy downpours.
We were again confined within our rooms. The rain stopped and the sun was out in between the heavy clouds creating a lovely aura around. We immediately went out to save the little time of the day that was left of us to explore. We went to the nearby Someshwar waterfall. This small yet feisty waterfall uplifted our mood and the cherry on the cake was the rainbow on the city side sky.
With a poor monsoon at the beginning of the season this year the volume of water was less as compared to the many pictures that I had seen before coming to this place. A 10mt drop of the Godavari River through a U-shaped gorge creates this waterfall. There is a road that crosses the river just before the drop. (Read about my previous visit to Igatpuri.)
The road gets submerged and is inaccessible when the water level is high during heavy monsoons. With the subsequent heavy rain for the last couple of days, the water level rose so the road was just submerged allowing vehicular movement. It was funny watching the two-wheelers and three-wheelers pass through this patch with the silent river on one side and the gushing waterfall on the other.
Clouds were gathering and we did not spend much time and quickly drove to the next destination – the MTDC Boat Club. Here the lake could be seen in its full glory. All the boating and water sports activities were closed due to the monsoon but the just view of the lake with the MTDC building structure was fascinating.
As the sun was preparing to take a plunge there was a double rainbow on one side of the lake. It was a sight to behold. Gusty winds swelled the water of the lake while the duet of the entwined twin – the clouds and the setting sun mysteriously played with its hues. A moment was created, a moment where everything seemed to be in perfect harmony. All our complaints about being confined to our rooms for the day vanished in no time.
Sula Vineyard Resort in Nashik: A Memorable, Rainy Retreat
The clouds did give us a small window to explore before it began on its usual course. We returned to our stay but again we got drenched while we walked to our rooms. We were happy to see the fascinating sites and also sad as we came to the Sula Vineyard Resort but could not take a tour of the vineyard. It was not the fruiting season so the vineyards would be empty. With mixed feelings, we drove back to Pune the next morning.
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