Looking for a Cool Tourist Spot in Bulan? Try This Hidden Gem Instead
So you’re looking for a tourist spot in Bulan and probably thinking about the usual beach spots or local restaurants, right? Well, here’s something different that might surprise you. Just 30 minutes away from Bulan, there’s this amazing place called The Vineyard Patio in Matnog, Sorsogon. And trust me, it’s nothing like what you’d expect to find around here.
The Vineyard Patio is located in Purok 5, Barangay Laboy, Matnog. What makes it special? It’s actually the first grape-picking place in all of Sorsogon. Yeah, you read that right. Grape picking. In the Philippines. Pretty cool, huh?
Most people who visit Bulan stick to the beaches or try the local seafood joints. But this place offers something totally different. We’re talking about an 800 square meter vineyard where you can pick your own grapes, eat great food, and even hold events if you want to.
Why This Tourist Spot in Bulan Area Beats the Regular Options
Look, the 30-minute drive from Bulan is totally worth it. While other places around here give you the same old experience you can find anywhere, The Vineyard Patio actually has something unique going on.
The grapes they grow are pretty impressive too. They’ve got Shine Muscat, Crimson, Yulian, Hope, Baikunor, and Radiant varieties. These aren’t your regular local grapes. These are the fancy types you usually see in expensive grocery stores, and here you can pick them yourself.
The pricing is pretty reasonable. During off-season, you pay about ₱50 just to get in and look around. If you want to pick grapes, it’s ₱300 per kilo. Not bad for such a unique experience, especially when you compare it to other tourist activities.
What’s really nice is that you’re not just doing one thing. You’re learning about grape growing, eating good food, and getting some great photos all in one place. Most tourist spots make you choose between these things.
They open at 11am Monday to Saturday, and 1pm on Sundays. But here’s the thing – if you call ahead and make a reservation, they’ll open earlier for you. That’s pretty good customer service if you ask me.
A Different Kind of Tourist Spot in Bulan Region
Traditional tourist spots around Bulan are mostly about beaches and old buildings. The Vineyard Patio is completely different. The grape picking thing actually teaches you stuff about farming while being fun at the same time.
The vineyard isn’t huge at 800 square meters, but that’s actually perfect. You’re not walking around forever feeling lost. You can actually learn about each type of grape and see how they grow them.
What surprised me is how educational it is. Most people don’t know you can grow quality grapes in our climate. The Vineyard Patio shows it’s possible with the right techniques. It’s pretty inspiring when you think about it.
Kids love this place. They get to see where food actually comes from instead of just playing games or swimming. Parents like that their kids are learning something instead of just being entertained.
The grape season changes throughout the year, so each visit is different. Peak harvest time gives you the full picking experience, while other times you learn more about the growing process and just enjoy the vineyard atmosphere.
Food and Events at This Tourist Spot in Bulan Area
The food here is actually good, which is rare for tourist places. They serve local seafood, grilled stuff, and seasonal dishes that go well with the whole grape experience instead of just random menu items.
The prices are fair compared to other restaurants around. Some people say it’s a bit more expensive than regular Matnog places, but you’re paying for the whole experience, not just food.
The dining setup is this rustic wooden gazebo that’s open to the air, and you’re looking out at the vineyard while you eat. It beats eating inside some closed restaurant where you can’t see anything.
They actually use the fresh grapes from their vineyard in some dishes. The kitchen staff knows how to mix them with Filipino flavors without making it weird.
The gazebo works for different group sizes too. Couples think it’s romantic, families have space for kids to move around, and bigger groups don’t feel cramped.
Dining Experience Unlike Other Tourist Spots in Bulan
What makes eating here special is that it connects to the grape picking you just did. You’re not just eating random food. You’re eating food that relates to what you experienced.
Since it’s open air, you’re always connected to the vineyard. You can smell the grapes growing and see the vines where you picked earlier. It makes the whole meal more interesting.
The local seafood makes sense since we’re near the coast, but they actually know how to cook it well. The grilled dishes show they put effort into preparation instead of just throwing things together.
They change the menu based on what’s in season, so if you come back, you’ll find new dishes. That shows they actually care about keeping things fresh instead of serving the same stuff forever.
They mix local ingredients with different cooking styles, so the food feels familiar but also new and exciting.
Having Events and Parties Here
The Vineyard Patio handles events with the same care they put into everything else. Weddings, birthdays, baptisms, and other celebrations look amazing with the vineyard background.
Their event packages cover everything: catering, using the gazebo, sound system, and decorations if you want them. You don’t have to deal with multiple vendors, which is a huge relief.
The vineyard makes for incredible photos that regular event venues can’t match. Wedding photographers especially love the natural lighting and all the different spots for pictures.
The 800 square meter vineyard gives you plenty of room for different party activities. You can have cocktails among the grape vines, then sit down for dinner in the gazebo area.
Celebrating milestones here feels more meaningful. The farming setting reminds people of growth and patience, which fits perfectly with personal achievements and relationships.
Getting There from Bulan
The drive from Bulan to The Vineyard Patio in Barangay Laboy, Matnog takes about 30 minutes through nice countryside that gets you in the mood for the vineyard experience. Laboy is the first barangay in Matnog, so it’s easy to find.
You should call ahead and make reservations, especially for weekends or when grapes are in season. The staff can tell you what grapes are available and when the best time to visit is.
If you’re staying in other parts of the second district of Sorsogon, it’s still convenient. It’s only 10 minutes from Irosin and 45 minutes from Santa Magdalena and Bulusan, so you can easily make it a day trip.
The drive itself is part of the fun. You’re leaving the usual tourist areas and going into farm country that most visitors never see. It helps you get ready for something different.
Why Pick The Vineyard Patio Over Other Places
Other restaurants and event places around here take similar driving time, but none of them offer grape picking, good food, and event spaces all in one place like The Vineyard Patio does.
The learning part adds value that pure entertainment places can’t give you. You leave knowing more about farming and local innovation, plus you have great memories and good food.
Let’s be honest, the Instagram photos you get here are way better than the usual beach and historical building shots that everyone posts from Sorsogon.
It works for families with different ages too. Grandparents can relax in the gazebo while kids explore the vineyard and adults learn about grape growing. Everyone’s happy.
Since things change with the seasons, coming back gives you new experiences instead of the same thing over and over. That makes it worth visiting multiple times.
The Whole Experience
The Vineyard Patio works because they don’t try to do everything. They focus on doing grape growing, good food, and events really well.
The 30-minute drive from Bulan is worth it because you’re getting something genuinely different from typical tourist stuff. The mix of learning, fun, and great food creates memories that regular tourist spots usually can’t provide.
If you’re looking at tourist options in the Bulan area, The Vineyard Patio is the kind of real, unique experience that makes travel actually meaningful. It’s not just another checkbox on your tourist list. It’s a place that shows you local innovation and farming possibilities while giving you genuine fun and great service.
The Vineyard Patio proves that sometimes the best tourist experiences happen when you’re willing to drive a little further and try something completely different from what everyone else is doing.