Ash invited to Wine Fest
- expressindia.com
Two tons of grapes are being transported to Amby Valley near Lonavla on Friday night. The recipe does not create an exotic salad, but a traditional wine stomping festival that gets underway on Saturday. Organised by the Chateau Indage Vineyards at Amby Valley this year, the grapes are being transported from their vineyards in Narayangaon some 160 km away to the Sahara Lake City. Says Vikrant Chougule, Chateau Indage COO, ‘‘We were smitten by Amby Valley’s beauty and it is not too far from the city.’’ Chougule adds, ‘‘The greenery and the open space, the fresh air, the water, all make it picturesque and the perfect setting for grape stomping. The countryside experience remains unadulterated,’’ he says.
Their 1,500-member guest list that includes celebs from corporate houses to actors and models is climbing higher this year. Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Preity Zinta, Anil Kapoor and industrialists like Kirloskars, Baba Kalyani and Weikfield’s Malhotras are slated to attend. Their chopper traffic would bring in Bala from Venkys, Gautam Singhania and the Poonawallas. Politician Suresh Kalmadi has also been invited.
To sip the thrill of their scintillating portfolio of domestic and international wines special counters have been organised.
Each counter will represent a specific country and a style. In keeping with their fine hospitality, their spectacular spread includes pasta, smoked ham, salads, grills, bread and cheese dips and Tiramesu, rabdi, fresh fruits and gulab jamuns. On the side, you can get your palm read or ask for a tarrot reading session or groove with the DJ.
Held since 1999, this is the second year that the wine festival is being taken outside the vineyards.
It was held at the Taj President, Mumbai in 2002. At the Amby Valley, Sahara Lake City, the festival will be held at Fisherman’s Wharf.
