Sula fest 2013

I seem to have started 2013 with a bang by spending the weekend at Sula fest on Feb 2 and 3. I wanted to do it one day for the excitement of grape stomping but the fest was so much more.

The first thing that occurred to me at the fest was everybody dresses up. Golden bags, matching shoes, Oscar-like dresses (well, a little exaggerated but the women were no less); it was like ‘Sex and the city’ came to Nasik. However even greater than all this fashion fiesta was the spirit they brought with them. Each and every one wanted to have a great weekend with friends, family, girl friends, boyfriends; chill out, drink wine and enjoy music. If there was no table to sit, they simply squatted on the grass to enjoy their glass. Some drank directly from the bottle. ‘Cool’ and ‘crowd’ assumed a new definition here.

The last three bands (Swaratma, Deep forest, Gaudi) on the second day put up a phenomenal show. I am not much of a music or concert person however the live music experience can make one groove. Even if some of the music just appears like noise on a CD, in a live scenario, the same noise becomes an IMAX 3D experience by a pleasant sunset.

Personally, I drove a total of 600 kms over three days (300 kms one way from Pune to Nasik). We took the expressway and NH3; sleek, sexy roads all way through. The drive was a delight. The 10000 kms milestone was achieved on the return journey.

In reflection, I was in awe of Rajeev Samant, the man behind the Sula brand. Apart from the fantastic wines that the vineyards serve, he pulls the cream of Mumbai (among other places) every year over the weekend to Nasik, a small district which otherwise would have been famous only as a grape growing region.

Grape stomping memoir, for keeps! (Aniket shooting the photo but stomping in spirit)

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