For Onam, like Mohanlal says, 'head to the vineyards' of Gundlupet

An evergreen dialogue from the yesteryear Mohanlal hit, 'Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal,' might ring in a Malayali's ears upon stepping into the vineyards of Gundlupet - a border town in Karnataka located about 56 km from Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad.

'Let's go to the vineyards in the morning and check whether they have blossomed,' Mohanlal's character Solomon romantically tells his ladylove, borrowing a Bible verse in the movie. A vineyard in Gundlupet has emerged as a major attraction for tourists this Onam season, just like the numerous flower gardens here. 

On a rough estimate, more than two lakh people have already visited the vineyard, which was established four years ago. This is the first year that the vineyard has been opened to visitors. There has been a steady flow of visitors even before the Onam holidays. The vineyard offers a feast for the eyes, while visitors can also see and taste fresh grapes hanging from the vines. Many visitors take selfies with bunches of grapes in the background. Children sit on their parents’ shoulders, reaching out to touch the grapes, while some even try to bite them, prompting guards on duty to blow their whistles as a warning.

It all started with an Instagram post
Though the 12-acre vineyard is four years old, it's only this year that the farm produced a robust harvest that caught the attention of visitors travelling to the nearby flower gardens, according to Ameer, one of the owners. The four-member group of farmers from Malappuram is now planning to expand the vineyard by leasing more land.

The transformation began in early June, when a visitor at the vineyard shared a video on social media. The Instagram video went viral. The owners soon realised the business potential of social media publicity and began promoting the vineyard themselves. As the video was widely shared, visitors heading to the flower gardens also began stopping at the vineyard. The rush has now grown substantially, particularly during weekends.

How far is the spot from Wayanad?
From Sulthan Bathery, visitors have to travel around 56 km to Gundlupet through NH 766. The vineyard is located before or around Gundlupet, close to the toll plaza.

After crossing the forest stretch from Muthanga to Bandipur Tiger Reserve and entering the agricultural landscape around Gundlupet, visitors can see the colourful flower gardens. The vineyard is located on the left side while travelling from Wayanad, near the toll-plaza area. The season lasts till the end of August. Once the Onam rush is over, the grapes will be harvested. For now, the farmers are making every effort to retain as much fruit as possible on the vines to give visitors the full vineyard experience.

How to reach?
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates daily services from Kalpetta and Sulthan Bathery to Gundlupet. You can also hire private taxis from Sulthan Bathery. During weekends, buses to Gundlupet can be extremely crowded. Several other KSRTC services and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses also travel towards Gundlupet. However, premium services such as Super Fast and Super Express services may not stop at the vineyard or toll-plaza area. Before boarding, confirm that the bus will stop at the spot.

For those travelling in private vehicles, it is advisable to check the exact toll-plaza access and parking arrangements before proceeding, as crossing the toll plaza may attract a toll charge.

KSRTC ordinary bus timings from Sulthan Bathery
The listed services from Sulthan Bathery to Gundlupet are at: 6 am, 7 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2.30 pm and 4 pm. There are also additional Kerala and Karnataka transport services to Gundlupet.
Entry fee: The entry fee to the vineyard is ₹25 per person. Children below five years are exempted from the fee.

Stay and lodging
Several lodges and hotels are available in Gundlupet. However, visitors travelling from Kerala may find it more convenient to stay in Sulthan Bathery and leave early in the morning for Gundlupet. Sulthan Bathery has a range of eateries, lodges and hotels offering boarding facilities. Room tariffs start at around ₹1,000 for a decent double room, depending on the property and season.

An early morning journey also offers an added attraction: the forest stretch from Muthanga to Bandipur is particularly green and scenic during the monsoon. Visitors may see elephant herds crossing the road, peacocks, deer grazing along the roadside, and, occasionally, gaur (Indian bison) near the forest.

Other tourist attractions
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta Temple is another major attraction near Gundlupet, around 18 km from the town. The journey to the temple offers a glimpse of rural Karnataka, with bullock carts carrying farm produce, flowers being harvested and vehicles loaded with flowers travelling through the countryside.

The surrounding landscape is dotted with vegetable farms and colourful fields of marigold (chendumalli), chrysanthemums and sunflowers, offering plenty of opportunities for photography. Visitors should follow the authorised route and current forest department access regulations when travelling to the hilltop temple rather than relying solely on Google Maps, as some village roads may not be suitable for through traffic. And for those who want to extend the trip, Mysuru is about 62 km from Gundlupet.