Tag: vineyard

Thekkady Experience


It was a hectic month of April and we slogged and finally reached our Months target. But excessive work load and personal financial commitments took its tool and I started suffering from severe Fatigue. I was able to feel it as i was unable to take decisions, my planning were slow and really i was unable to work. I badly wanted a break.

Then i called my friend Laxman and asked him if we can go for a vacation. Again I was not in a position to loose any of the working day. Since it was vacation Laxman, Sathish & I decided to goto Thekkady, Kumily. We started our drive from Madurai by 8 AM on Saturday.

Kumily is just 120 KM from Madurai and we reached the place in 2 hours in spite of having breakfast in a place near Madurai. This place is special for Mutton dishes and no other dish would be available here. Since i’m a Veggie i had to settle with Papad, Vegetables & Curd.

Upon reaching Kumily we went to a resort named Greenwoods and we were given a authentic welcome. I’ve seen such welcome given to Cricket players in airport or at hotels. We were welcomed by offering a jasmine garland, keeping a sandal bindi & tender coconut water.

The we checked in the room and we immediately proceeded to Pool, the playing room & then we drove some 15 KM towards Kattapana to taste Toddy. But the toddy was old one and it took a tool on our stomach immediately. Then we returned to resort and started partying.

Then next day morning i had good Keraly ayurvedic Massage to reduce the body heat and immediately we proceeded to Thekkady. But the park was closed due to over rush. But we made some shopping and we were stratled to see how place was changed. I’ve been here 20 years back as a child and it has none of what the place sports now. The lodge we stayed was bad. But this time there were many 5 star resorts & Hotels, Shops etc.

On returning we vacated the room and we drove back to Madurai. En route we made a halt near a Vinyard in Cumban and brought some fresh grapes & drank some fresh grape juice. From there we drove non-stop to Madurai and reached Madurai by 4 PM on Sunday.

I must say this 2 days stay really was rejuvenating and bought me back to my routine & fresh. This trip was really exciting as it was not a tedious journey as it is just 2 hours drive from Madurai and also the the travel is a gift to ones eye as we have to cross lust green farms, mountains, vineyards, rivers et more.

Also Greenwoods Resort provided a great experience. When every i want a break i’ve planned to simply goto Kumily & stay in Greenwoods Resort for 2 days and i can be back fresh.

Now I’m The Wine Society of India Member


Today I enrolled for a membership with The Wine Society of India and they were very fast in getting me enrolled… I got a call within 5 minutes of Faxing the application form…

 

Wine making, tasting and itz culture attracted me for almost a decade and being in Chennai I was deprived of learning the nuances of wine making and managing a Vineyard… Four years back I also took lot of steps to prepare a Business Plan for Wine Making unfortunately I didn’t have much contacts and I had to scrap the project for lack of exposure in the field…… Now I got an opportunity to explore and make my dreams a reality…

 

Now being their member I get following benefits;

 

  • 6 wines every 3 months; handpicked by an independent Board of Wine Advisors, chaired by Steven Spurrier, the world-famous wine authority.
  • Difficult-to-find wines, right at your doorstep
  •  Affordable prices (lower than retail)
  • Permanent Founding Member status for first 1000 wine-buying members
  • Prestigious membership card with vintage chart
  • 7-part Home Study Wine Education Course sent in quarterly installments along with your wine shipments
  • FREE two-year subscription to Sommelier India, India’s premier wine magazine (value INR 700), delivered to you with every shipment
  • Access to WSI ‘lifestyle’ classroom wine courses (Novice and Intermediate)
  • Invitations to WSI Wine Tasting events together with VIP’s from the wine world
  • Arrangement for a one-year Liquor License for those who do not possess one – FREE! (NOTE: Maharashtra Only)
  • Special helpline to answer any questions about wine and wine-related matters
  • Global Vineyard Visit Programme including VIP introductions to wineries and winemakers around the world
  • Exclusive restaurant privileges (in development)
  • Discounted pricing on world’s best wine magazines:
    • 25% discount off annual subscription to Decanter
  • Discounted pricing to The Wine & Spirits Education Trust range of wine courses
  • Discounted pricing at Oxford Bookstores
    • 10% discount on a range of WSI recommended wine titles
    • 5% discount on all other titles in the store
  • Discount at Classic Wine Shops in Bangalore – 5% on all purchases
  • Discounts on wines available at BIN END Sales held at prestige restaurants, where you can taste before you buy
  • Preferred pricing on carefully chosen wine accessories:
    • 20% discount on Haier home wine storage chillers to preserve your wine
    • 10% discount on Riedel crystal wine glasses and decanters
    • 10% discount on Screwpull wine-opening products
  • Access to investment-grade wines and en primeur offerings
  • Preference in the event of an IPO of The Wine Society of India
  • Also as a Citibank Platinum Cardholder, I’ll receive a FREE bottle of Bouvet-Ladubay Brut.

 

So what is the cost of membership is what will be in your mind? Simple every quarter they ship 6 bottles of wine which costs Rs. 6,500/- + Rs. 650/- (Transportation Charges) and we must commit to buy atleast 2 shipments in a year…

 

If you want to enroll you can download the form from The Wine Society of India site and you can email it or fax it or Snail mail it… If you give my name as reference I’ll get 2 wine bottles as reference gift and I’m ready to share one with you :)…

 

So this is what I’m getting in my first shipment? That will be my next blog post… For now I’m getting wines from 6 different countries and for more details keep your fingers crossed….