Vineyards top unwinding destinations for delegates this air show

 It was an unusual way to relax for the foreign delegates who participated in Aero India 2015. They laughed their worries out of the hectic work schedule through grape stomping and wine tasting at three vineyards on the outskirts of the city.

Over 1,500 delegates visited Heritage Winery in Channapatna, Grover Vineyard in Doddaballapur and Kinwa Wines at Devanahalli near Bengaluru international airport (which is yet to be officially inaugurated), Dr B Krishna, Managing Director of Karnataka Wine Board (KWB), told Deccan Herald.

This is the first time that Aero India delegates visited the vineyards. While some of them went officially as part of their itinerary, many were on leisure trips with their companions.
Some had also come out of curiosity to see what is offered in Bengaluru. Further, though many had approached KWB for bookings and arrangements, many contacted the vineyards directly.

Since this is the grape season, the visitors had some good memories to take home during their day-long tour. The delegates, most of them from Russia, Germany, Italy and USA, involved themselves in grape stomping, touring vineyards and learning about grape harvesting.

They also tried their hands in grape plucking and toured the bottling and preservation sections. They were very amazed on learning about the process of change in grape colouration and the different grape varieties. Many did not believe that there are vineyards just 30 km away from the international airport. Some also purchased their bottles during the visit.

Normally, in January and February, around 1,000 people visit the vineyards, but this time the number has increased by 25-30 per cent. Last year, the total footfalls and bookings at vineyards registered under the wine board were not more than 6,000. But this year, the number increased to 17,000.

This is because of the air show and increase in the number of tourists. It is also because the concept of wine tourism is gradually becoming popular and events like Aero India provide a boost to it. Also, under the wine policy, the government is helping in increasing grape cultivation, roping in farmers and opening more taverns, Krishna said.

Krishna pointed out that many delegates who visited the vineyards had made bookings for weekend leisure trips. Some foreigners and domestic guests who had come to attend the air show too have made bookings for this weekend and for next month.