SulaFest, Nashik

The SulaFest held in the city of Nashik in India is a one-of-a-kind annual celebration of wine, music, leisure and pure delight. It is held in the first week of February.

So if you are a wine lover and want to spend a couple of days relaxing in the lap of nature in the company of good music, pay a visit to the SulaFest of Nashik.

Legend of SulaFest, Nashik

SulaFest is organized every year at the Sula Vineyards of Nashik. This is the country’s best, most famous and most easily accessible winery. It was opened in 1997 as a very small local shop but has grown in size over the passing years. Today it is an internationally famous festival where locals, national tourists and international visitors flock for wine tasting and a tour inside the Sula Vineyards.

SulaFest is considered one of the most inspirational festivals of India because the standard it sets as a winery. Covering a 35 acre area, it is easily accessible from Mumbai. In fact, people can directly travel from Mumbai on the festival day. The Indian Railways arranges special trains operating between Mumbai and Nashik for the festival. The MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) operates special buses for visitors attending the festival. Tourists can also use the A/C car services of eCabs starting from Mumbai in the morning and reaching Nashik by early afternoon. 

Customs, Traditions and Cultural Importance of SulaFest, Nashik

SulaFest was originally a one day event when it was organized for the first time five years back. 2012 was the first year when the celebrations continued for two days following the sell-out event of the previous years. The celebrations begin in the early afternoon and continue sometimes even past 10 at night. Using the Greek style amphitheatre an open air stage is created for the bands and individual performers at the Sula Vineyards. Grape stomping, tattooing and foot massages are other fun activities conducted for the attendees in the festival. Also do not miss the photo corner, the tarot card readers and the food stalls serving local Marathi delicacies. 

The organizers of the SulaFest promote this festival as not only a must visit for wine lovers but also a treat for people who enjoy music. Different forms of music from rock to blues, electronic and reggae to folk are performed during the event.

If you are a shopaholic, you can visit SulaFest Bazaar, which is a flea market within the boundaries of the Sula Vineyards. Here you will find handicrafts on display for sale. Art enthusiasts can take a look at the photo exhibition and the art installations on display at the photo gallery. There is also the Mount Gay Rum bar that sells non-alcoholic drinks like the mojito. SulaFest thus offers a little for every patron. 

Performers at the SulaFest, Nashik

Listed below are some of the popular names from the world of music who have  performed on the SulaFest stage:

• Nitin Sawhney
• Rodney Branigan
• DJ Sasha
• Drum Circle
• Reggae Rajahs featuring Steppa Style and Cali P
• Papon and The East India Company
• Su La Take and Etienne Mbappe
• Ankur and The Ghalat Family
• Nigel Rajaratnam and Ayush Shrestha
• Soulmate