When most people imagine vineyards, they think of far-off spots like Tuscany or Napa Valley—beautiful but distant and expensive. If you’re in Bangalore, you don’t have to travel halfway across the globe for that experience.Â
Rico Vineyards is close to the airport and brings together everything you’d expect: great wine, scenic views, and a peaceful setting. Whether you’re visiting alone, as a couple, or in a group, you’ll likely find it easy to settle in and enjoy here.
Table of Contents
- A Wine Experience Close to the City
- The Wines: Local Grapes, Global Standards
- Vineyard Tours: Walk, Learn, and Taste
- Activities Beyond Wine
- Staying Overnight: Glamping at Rico
- Accessibility and Inclusivity
- How Long Should You Spend at Rico?
- Wrapping Up
A Wine Experience Close to the City
Rico Vineyards & Winery is located in Chikkaballapur, about 22 kilometres from the Bangalore Airport. It’s a great spot for a quick trip, a last-minute plan, or even a short stop if you’re flying in or out of Bangalore.Â
The vineyard stretches over 50 acres of green space. It’s perfect if you want to relax, take a walk, and enjoy the fresh air. It’s also close to Nandi Hills, which means nice views and cooler weather.
If you’re planning to travel from the city, consider booking a car rental in Bangalore to make your trip easier.
The Wines: Local Grapes, Global Standards
Rico uses a mix of old and new methods to make wine. They grow well-known grapes like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Chenin Blanc. The weather and soil in the area are just right for these grapes to grow well.
Some of their wines are aged in oak barrels, giving them more depth and character. For those unfamiliar with wine, the vineyard staff are helpful and always ready to guide you through the flavours, aromas, and the stories behind each glass.
Vineyard Tours: Walk, Learn, and Taste
A key highlight at Rico is the guided vineyard tour. These usually last a couple of hours and take you through various parts of the estate, from the grapevines to the production areas. You’ll get a closer look at how wine is made, including steps like crushing, fermentation, and ageing.
The barrel cellar, also known as the ageing room, is a key highlight of your tour, where you can witness numerous oak barrels where wines are left to age. The guided tour also gives you insights into how American vs French oak affects aroma and tannins.Â
If you are more curious to know about bottling and packaging, opt for a guided tour that showcases how bottles of wine are filled, corked, sealed, and labeled for distribution. Â
For wine-tasting, a sommelier leads a curated tasting session where guests are taught to swirl, sniff, and sip wines and identify tastes like oakiness, fruitiness, or spice. Rico Vineyards offers red, white, and rosé wine varieties, produced onsite, so guests can enjoy authentic wines with an exceptional tasting experience.
During harvest season, usually in February and March, visitors also get the chance to participate in grape stomping. It’s a fun and hands-on way to connect with the process, and especially popular with groups and families.
Since the vineyard is not too far from the city, using a reliable outstation cab booking app can help you find the perfect cab in just a few taps and make your journey smoother, especially if you’re heading back late or staying the night.
Activities Beyond Wine
There are plenty of activities available for those who want to do more than sit and sip. Popular choices include hiking and trekking, especially in the areas surrounding the vineyard.Â
The estate also offers ziplining, rappelling, and cycling for those looking to add a bit of adventure to the day. If you’re arriving from the airport or travelling across the city, pre-booking airport cabs in Bangalore can help you avoid the hassle of finding last-minute rides.
Staying Overnight: Glamping at Rico
Rico Vineyards also offers accommodation for visitors who want to spend more time on the estate. Instead of regular hotel rooms, the vineyard provides glamping tents set up right within the vineyard, giving you a peaceful, immersive experience.
Guests can sip wine, enjoying the cool evening breeze, stroll the vines during sunset, have a quiet dinner, fall asleep under the stars, and wake up to the sounds of birds and rustling leaves. Staying overnight gives you a chance to slow down even more and unwind amidst nature.Â
Many visitors prefer to hire cars from an outstation cab booking app so they don’t have to worry about getting back once the sun sets.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Rico Vineyards is welcoming to all its guests. It’s family-friendly and includes fun areas and open spaces for children to move around.Â
The estate is also accessible to people who have difficulty walking or need assistance. For those who need extra help, the staff is always nearby.
It’s an inclusive space in terms of crowd and culture, attracting people from different backgrounds. Since you’ll probably want to unwind and take your time, hiring airport cabs in Bangalore in advance is a smart move.
How Long Should You Spend at Rico?
If you’re short on time, a half-day visit works well. A guided tour and tasting, followed by lunch or early dinner, is more than enough for a fulfilling experience.Â
But if you want to explore everything—outdoor activities, events, and overnight stays—it’s worth setting aside a full day or even a weekend. For a more relaxed visit, consider booking a car rental in Bangalore so you can focus on enjoying the wine, not the drive.
Wrapping Up
Rico Vineyards is a solid option if you’re looking to escape the city without going too far. It offers good wine, nice food, outdoor activities, and peaceful views—all in one place. Whether you plan a visit as a weekend getaway or wish to make a quick visit during overlays at the airport, Rico gives you an enriching yet relaxing experience you may crave after a long flight.Â
If you’re planning your visit and want to avoid the hassle of driving or figuring out routes, Savaari Car Rentals offers dependable travel options. Their cabs are easy to book and useful whether you’re heading from the city, the airport, or nearby towns.
Lastly, Nashik, often called India’s Napa Valley, is another remarkable destination for wine enthusiasts. Surrounded by lush vineyards and scenic hills, it offers some of the best wine tours in the country. If you’re looking for a refreshing blend of culture, nature, and fine wine, Nashik deserves a spot on your travel list.



