Finding The Vineyard Patio: A Cool Tourist Spot Around Bulusan
Looking for a different kind of tourist spot around Bulusan? Most people head straight to the hot springs or hiking trails. But there’s this really neat place called The Vineyard Patio in Matnog, Sorsogon that’s totally worth checking out. You can actually pick grapes, eat great food, and hang out in a super chill setting.
It’s about 45 minutes from Bulusan, sitting in Barangay Laboy, Matnog. The drive is pretty nice too. You’ll see the scenery change from those familiar mountains to more coastal areas. And trust me, what you’ll find there is way cooler than you’d expect.
What Makes This Tourist Spot Around Bulusan Different
Here’s what’s really cool about The Vineyard Patio. It’s the very first place in Sorsogon where you can pick grapes. While other tourist spots around Bulusan are all about hot springs and volcano stuff, this place grows actual grapes on 800 square metres of land. They’ve got six different types: Shine Muscat, Crimson, Yulian, Hope, Baikunor, and Radiant. Each one tastes different and grows at different times.
But it’s not just about picking fruit. You actually learn how they grow grapes here in our tropical weather. Most people think grapes only grow in cold places or maybe Europe. This place proves that wrong big time.
The staff really knows their stuff. They’ll tell you about preparing the soil, training the vines, and figuring out when to harvest. It’s actually pretty interesting because growing grapes in Sorsogon weather takes some special tricks. You end up learning things you can use for other plants too.
Picking Grapes Is Actually Fun
When you get there, they’ll show you around and explain the different grape types. Which ones you can pick depends on the season since they don’t all ripen at the same time. You can pay 50 pesos just to look around during off-season, or do the pick-and-pay thing for 300 pesos per kilo when there are ripe grapes ready.
They’re open from 11 AM Monday to Saturday, and 1 PM on Sundays. But here’s a cool tip: if you book ahead, they’ll open early for you. Getting there at sunrise is actually really nice because it’s cooler and the lighting is perfect for photos.
Walking through those grape rows feels weird in a good way. It’s so organized and neat, nothing like the usual farms you see around here. You’ll probably end up taking way more pictures than you planned because it looks so different from typical Philippine farm visits.
They also teach you the right way to cut the grape bunches so you don’t mess up the vines. Plus they show you how to tell if grapes are ready by looking at the colour and feeling how firm they are. It turns a simple fruit picking trip into something where you actually learn useful stuff.
Eating with a Great View
The dining area is this wooden gazebo that looks out over all the grape vines. It’s open air so you get nice breezes while you eat. Being up higher means you can see the whole vineyard stretching out in front of you.
They serve local seafood mixed with grilled stuff and whatever’s in season. The kitchen people know how to match the food with fresh grapes, which creates some really tasty combinations. The prices are pretty fair too, about the same as other places in Matnog, even though the setting is way more special.
The whole vibe is just really peaceful. You’re eating good food, looking at a nice view, and there’s no traffic noise or city stress. A lot of people say the calm atmosphere is just as good as the food itself.
Why This Tourist Spot Around Bulusan Is Worth Your Time
Most tourist destinations around Bulusan are about nature stuff like volcanic lakes and forest walks. The Vineyard Patio gives you something totally different that actually goes well with those natural spots. You can do both types of tourism in one trip.
The learning part makes it special. Getting to know about growing grapes in our hot weather teaches you things you can’t just read about online. Doing it yourself makes it stick in your head way better than just watching someone else.
If you like taking photos, this place is gold. Those neat rows of grape vines make great leading lines for your shots. The lighting changes throughout the day so you get different moods and colours. Sunset photos from the gazebo capture both the vineyard and the landscape behind it with that golden light.
It’s also super relaxing. People from the city always mention how quiet and chill it feels compared to urban life. The mix of nature, fresh air, and fun activities just naturally helps you unwind.
Great for Parties and Events
The Vineyard Patio isn’t just for tourists. They do weddings, birthdays, baptisms, and even corporate events. Their packages include food, use of the gazebo, sound system, and they can help with decorations if you want. So one place can handle different needs.
Wedding photos look amazing with the vineyard background. Those organized vine rows make natural backdrops and the gazebo gives you a nice focal point. Different seasons mean different grape colours and vine growth, so couples get lots of visual options.
Company retreats and team building work really well here too. The grape picking activities make people work together and talk to each other. The relaxed setting helps people open up and think creatively, which doesn’t happen much in regular office spaces.
Family reunions and birthday parties feel more special when you add the farming activities. Kids learn where food comes from while adults reconnect with farming traditions that many Filipino families have moved away from.
Getting There and Practical Stuff
Reaching this tourist spot around Bulusan takes a bit of planning, but the trip itself is part of the fun. The 45-minute drive from Bulusan shows you different landscapes as you go from volcanic areas to coastal plains. The roads are good so most cars can handle it fine.
Barangay Laboy is the first barangay in Matnog, so it’s easy to reach from different directions. If you’re coming from Irosin, it’s only 10 minutes. From Bulan, it’s 30 minutes. It’s also 30 minutes from Matnog Port, which is handy if you’re doing island hopping.
There’s plenty of parking space and no traffic jams since it’s out in the countryside. But being rural means you should plan ahead for gas and supplies.
The drive is totally worth it when you think about the unique experience waiting for you. Other restaurants and event places in the second district of Sorsogon take about the same time to reach but give you standard experiences. The Vineyard Patio offers something genuinely different that makes the extra travel worthwhile.
Making Your Visit Count
When you go affects what you can do. Harvest seasons are different for each grape type, so calling first makes sure you can actually pick grapes. Even during off-season, you can still tour the vineyard and eat there, but the grape picking might be limited.
You can combine your vineyard visit with other Matnog attractions to make the most of your travel time. The port area has fresh seafood and ocean views that go well with the farm experience. This gives you both land and sea perspectives of southern Sorsogon.
Wear comfortable walking shoes instead of sandals for the vineyard tour. Bring sun protection since there’s not much shade in the grape rows. The gazebo has covered areas for meals and resting though.
If you’re into photography, the changing light and farm subjects give you great opportunities. Wide-angle lenses capture the whole vineyard scope while macro lenses highlight grape cluster details.
The Vineyard Patio brings something new to Philippine tourism. Instead of just looking at natural attractions, you actually participate in farming processes while enjoying good food and event hosting. Participating creates memories that stick around longer than just sightseeing.
For travellers looking for a tourist spot around Bulusan that’s genuinely unique, The Vineyard Patio delivers experiences you can’t get anywhere else in the region. The mix of education, fun, and relaxation gives you value that goes way beyond the reasonable entry fees and meal prices.
Whether you’re planning a family day out, romantic dinner, special celebration, or educational trip, this vineyard destination provides the framework for meaningful experiences. The drive from Bulusan becomes part of the adventure instead of just something you have to do when you know what’s waiting for you in Laboy, Matnog.