Ever since I started preferring to drink wine over any others alcohol I began to be fascinated with the concept of vineyards and wine tasting events. I love the sight of those perfectly manicured and lined up grape vines with huge bunches hanging off them.
In wake of this quest, I visited two notable vineyards in France and one in Nashik, India but at neither places did I get around to experience the (seemingly) glamorous activity of grape stomping. A huge wooden tub or barrel, filled with grapes (preferably purple as they look vivacious when macerated) and you get into it in bare feet and stomp away to your heart’s content – isn’t this mental image vicariously cool? Who wouldn’t want to do it?
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On recent trip to Bangalore a girlfriend suggested to take me out for grape stomping to a local Vineyard with her gang of besties and I jumped at it. Can you envision the ruckus half a dozen women can bring about?
Vineyard chosen for this perfect crime was Heritage winery which is situated in Ram Nagar district of Karnataka – a mere 2 hours drive from Bangalore, in Channapatna district.
We headed into a wine tasting session, which was brilliantly conducted by the sommelier for he was indeed very well versed in the nuances to spot while checking out a wine. From swirling, shaking, gargling, hacking to swallowing – he made it seem like such an energized routine as he counted down the seconds for each step. I was zapped to detect petroleum, capsicum and even sulphur in a wine as he explained the science behind it all – whooo! (can you remember if you ever tasted any funny flavours in your glass of vino)
“In victory, you deserve Champagne. In defeat you need it.” ― Napoleon Bonaparte
The local wine was pretty good and after tasting about six of them my head was spinning out of control. That’s when we decided it’s a good idea to get a spot of lunch to fill our empty stomachs and rest the wine induced haze.
Of course the lunch was accompanied with pitchers of sangria 😉 and stretched into a languid three-hour spree, much gaiety and laughter followed of course! (I dont have “permission” to share pics with people in it!!!!)
Finally at 4 O’clock we undid the shoes and climbed into a huge wooden tub into which a few women were emptying out baskets of purple grapes. ( this barrel like tub is so cool, I wanted to lie in it and bask 😉 )
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It was the most incredible moment of my life was I started to pound on the soft grapes, squashing onto them with all my might. The organizers had set up some foot thumping music which got us all into the groove to shake it like never before!! We did just that, pulverizing the juicy grapes to a purple-red pulpy mass while slithering and sloshing all over the tub – it was pretty slippery. (we did wonder if this mess would be distilled into a bottle of wine or just thrown away)
I think this was the perfect stress busting moment in my life and I can’t wait to relive it again and I must recommend it to all at least once in their lives.
After we all washed off the gooey pulp, the six ladies unanimously concurred that this was the best pedicure we have ever had and it works super as a tan removing procedure too. It was an incredible experience, made special by the company of fun-loving gang of girls!!
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Fact File:
- Heritage winery is situated about two hours on Bangalore-Mysore road towards, Channapatna.
- Nashik in Maharashtra is another region famous for its vineyards in India.
- Wine tasting session, vineyard tour and the grape stomping costed us about 800/- each. Lunch was extra at their in-house restaurant.
- Best to visit on a weekday when the Sommelier is more relaxed to stretch the 30 minute tasting session to an hour.
- Weekend lunch was a very slow affair as too many guests and too little staff – so be prepared for the wait
- Sommelier’s accent was a little difficult for me to follow; but he was an incredible sport & passionate about his work.
Have you ever attended a wine tasting session? How about grape stomping? How does this sound to you?
A trained Interior designer who loves to travel, photograph and write, I have done some boutique stays in limited budgets and some in extravagant ones too. I specialize in using locally sourced/ made products which would provide support to the local community.I am also an advocate of using sustainable practices in housekeeping, laundry,etc which lessens the use of harmful chemicals. The water used for such chores is clean enough to be fed into the garden directly.
You could get in touch with me for:
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- Interior design services for your property
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- Doing an honest Travel reviews for a unique stay anywhere in the world. If you liked this review and would like for me to visit your property, please drop in a mail at shalzmojo@gmail.com
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This is so very cool! Enjoyed reading your account. Yet to visit a vineyard, though the idea didn’t excite me till recently when I started enjoying Merlot. Sangria though has been a personal favourite for a while now. And you do know so. After all it stirred the hornets nest.
Jokes apart, have to catch up on your other posts. Great going Shalzy
Blog: natashamusing
Theme: Travel Epiphanies
Gobsmacked in Gorgeous Goa</a
Thanks Natasha. Yeah the fancy struck me also only after I started drinking wines. I love Sangria too but am extremely fussy about it. One of my friends is a whiz at it and I love it in her house.
Woah!! Something I will definitely want to try. Nashik is not much far from my place but Why there’s not grape stomping..sigh 🙁
Mr. Napoleon said that correct 😛
Thanks year. There is grape stomping in Nashik but during the Sula fest only. I think it happens on Feb.
My extended family had a winery and this is exactly how the mashed up grapes. Hard to imagine there isn’t a more techie way of doing it!
Oh I didn’t know that it’s done so for the entire process still. I thought this is just for fun and the main thing is now mechanised.
Ah ! I love wine too. And this post brought back memories of making wine at home when I made my two girls stomp the grapes in our huge green tub…..
Oh my that sounds decadent. Pls invite me over next time 😉
I have not consumed a single drop of alcohol in my life. Though grape stomping would be great!
Absolutely Amazing Alliteration
Thanks Duncan. All the best with AtoZ …
A whole post about grapes and ahem wine – my favourite tipple. I love that you’ve posted the same kind of photo as me for this post. I’ve tried grape stomping and think its super cool. Lovely post
Thanks Kalpana. Where did you try it out?
It looks like loads of fun!
It sure was Vanessa 🙂
I have never tried it till now but Grape stomping looks tempting! 🙂
Oh you have to try it Disha. It’s just awesome fun. 🙂
I have yet to visit a vineyard. It’s on my bucket list though. Looks like you had a lot of fun. 🙂
I hope you get to visit soonest Vinodini. It’s just super duper fun 🙂
Some years ago when my brother visited NZ we went on a vineyard tour and wine tasting. Even though both of us don’t drink alcohol, we tried out the various wines. In the end we both concluded that all the wines tasted the same. Still, if I had to choose, I would choose red over white. Grape stomping looks like fun but a tad unhygenic.
I love both red n white wones- am crazxxxy abt wine
Unhygenic— ummmmmm!!!
Wow , I world love to go for this awesome thomping tooooo❤❤ loved the clicks and the excitement
Thanks Roma – I had so much fun here.
This looks so much fun and squishy Did not know you could do grapestomping in Bangalore. Thanks for sharing. Do read my short story for #atozchallenge, though i jumped in pretty late
https://smitasangle.wordpress.com/2017/04/08/b-is-for-bangles-a-tale-of-a-bride-dowry-atozchallenge/
Hey Smita thanks for stopping by. I will definitely stop by. All the best!!!
This sounds lovely. Definitely added to my tbe list!
It’s a must do for sure Ish
This was a great post. Seems we should raise a glass to it. 😉 Incredible images.
operationawesome6.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much 🙂
Oh WOW! You actually got to do this? That is sooooo amazing! 😀 😀 😀
I first came to know about this “grape stomping” in the movie “A walk in the clouds”. And you actually got to do it! Oh man! 😀
If you could just see me now… I’m literally grinning from ear to ear!
I had no idea this even happened in India!
You are one lucky girl!
😀 😀 😀
Happy AtoZing!
Chicky @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com
Kaddu I can feel you jumping up and down as I read this Thanks so much!!!
Yeah that movie inspired me too- ooof I loved that movie too.
This was all thanks to my bangalore friends who took me for a really fun filled day.
I hope you get to do it soonest too.
this looks so much fun 😀 Now I really really wanna do this, with a glass of wine in hand of course 😀 I wish I knew about this when I was living there.
I think this is a latest addition to the Bangalore scene as when I was there in 2010 , this was not happening there Raj. I am surprised you don’t have this in OZ…..
Never been to vineyard and that looks like fun experience
— A-Z Challenger
Oh yes this was a ball Usha!!! Thanks
Wow! That’s some experience and I would love to do some grape stomping sometimes soon too. I am curious to know what they did with the pulpy mashed grapes?? I hope they dont make wine with that??
Ha ha I was wondering that too Shilpa 😉
Bangalore just gets more and more irresistible, especially when I am discovering these little stories through your posts. The off-beat Bangalore. Nice!
Thanks so much Lalita… this praise feels good 🙂
I love wines, though I do not know anything about it. The stomping looks fun! 🙂
I love wines too and with time have picked up a few nuances Shalzz. You must try this. 🙂
I’ve been to a few of the world’s best vineyards but have never indulged in grape stomping. Your account makes me wish to go visit one with my girl gang right now.
Great pictures Shalini 🙂
Thanks so much Era…. you must try it out and then write about it 😉
Oh wow..
Now this did put me crazy..
I have had “pure wine” a few times; and it was the best..
Now looking at your pics & reading this..
I just want to be involved in the whole activity & take home a huge barrel of wine 😀
Ha ha ha Uncle Sam…. barrel of wine hmmmmm 😉
You had a gala time in Bangalore for sure. Must have been such fun.
I did indeed Parul… its one of my best memories of Bangalore for sure 🙂
That was a nice read. I can only imagine how much fun it would have been. Seems to be a very relaxing activity.
I always think of grapes stomping as one of very ‘romantic & happy’ activity because of #Bollywood.
Thanks for sharing really enjoyed reading it.
Best Wished!
Thanks Kartika for such peppy compliments- felt good to read 🙂
I enjoy going to wineries and doing tastings, but have never done a grape stomping. I’m not sure if I would like it or not although I do like new adventures so I’d probably give it a go. All I can think of is the classic “I Love Lucy” episode. WeekendsInMaine
Thanks for stopping by Karen. Not sure of that episode 🙂
This is so much fun! I’ve always wanted to visit a Vineyard and do this grape stomping! 🙂
It was pure unadulterated fun, esp with so many other fun loving girlies.:-)
You must try it out soon Adi
MMMM. Sangria. I had a guy explain grape stomping to me once. He and I dated one summer and then he moved out west to work in wine. Thanks for sarong this. I was hoping to find some travel related A to Z themed blogs this month.
Hey Kerry thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy reading rest of my posts too 🙂
Oh this has so been my dream. We live a few hours drive from Nashik and I’ve been planning for ever to get there. This makes me want to go even more. I just watched a re-run of French Kiss and that made me want to visit a vineyard right away.
Oh I was watching French Kiss just today. I love that movie so much…… I hope you get to visit this experience soonest 🙂
I’m no wine buff, but I’ve always thought that looked fun!
I assure you it is Nick 🙂
Ooh that seems like so much fun! I love my red wine and have been wine tasting here but never grape stomping!
I am partial to the white but like red too. I hope you get to do this soonest Sanchi 🙂
I recently did a wine tasting at Biltmore Estates when I visited last month. I like wine, but I don’t know a lot about it or really what kind I like so wine tastings are fun. Donna from Girl Who Reads
Yeah wine tasting and figuring out the hidden flavours is so much fun Donna 🙂
I remember seeing grape stomping as part of a television show actually. 🙂 I don’t remember which, but it was quite fun watching one team outrace the other very quickly. I drink only wine, and very rarely, but it’s one thing I savor! I hope I get the experience once too.
I hope you do too Vinay. It’s a great fun experience 🙂
It does sound like a great girl’s day out. It makes me think of Tom Sawyer getting his fence painted by making it seem a game. I imagine, they have an enormous grape crushing machine. One thing good about fermentation, the alcohol sterilizes it all. I doubt they wasted those grapes.
Ooh Ann you think so? My god now that isn’t a pretty thought. I wonder whose feet trampled the grapes I just finished a bottle of??? 😉
Man!! This is so cool! I wanna do this so bad! I’ve always wanted but never really added to my bucket list! Well, now I do 🙂
Cheers
I’ve been to a few vineyards in South Africa but never got to stomp on grapes. What a fun post.
How fun. Ive been part of the harvest but never the stomping. Glad you shared this with us.
Happy Monday (Im behind)
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