Tagaytay grape harvest festival returns this May with vineyard picking and scenic views

Twin Lakes Tagaytay hosts its Grape Harvest Festival on May 9, offering hands-on picking, food experiences, and views of Taal Lake

VINE ROWS Rows of grapevines stretch across the Twin Lakes vineyard, where this year’s harvest signals the estate’s continued growth.(Photo: Feliciano Rodriguez III/Manila Bulletin)

Twin Lakes Tagaytay is marking another milestone as it prepares for its Grape Harvest Festival on May 9, a seasonal event that signals both the yield of its vineyard and the progress of a long-term vision.

At a press conference held April 29 at Twin Lakes, members of the media were given an early look at what guests can expect from this year’s staging. The program included a visit to the vineyard, where participants were invited to try their hand at picking grapes. Moving through the rows, baskets in hand, the experience offered a closer view of how the estate’s agricultural component has taken shape over time. It also framed the harvest not just as a tourist activity, but as a marker of how far the development has come.

The preview also highlighted the role of Twin Lakes Hotel, which anchors the estate’s hospitality component. The hotel serves as a base for guests attending the festival, offering direct access to the vineyard and views of Taal Lake that define the Twin Lakes experience.

RIPE READY A cluster of grapes hangs in the vineyard at Twin Lakes Tagaytay, ready for harvest ahead of the Grape Harvest Festival on May 9. (Photo: Feliciano Rodriguez III/Manila Bulletin)

This year’s festival is notable as the estate’s second grape harvest celebration. For those who were present during the opening of Twin Lakes in 2018, as I was, the moment carries added weight. At the time, developers shared that the vineyard would take close to a decade before reaching a meaningful level of productivity. That timeline appears to be bearing out. The vines now show consistency, and the harvest has begun to form a rhythm that supports an annual event.

The festival itself is expected to center on the harvest, with grape picking remaining the main draw. Guests are typically allowed to harvest grapes directly from the vines within designated areas, offering a rare hands-on activity in a local setting. Complementing this are food and beverage offerings, including grape-based products and refreshments available across the shopping village. Previous editions have also featured live music, open-air dining, and family-friendly activities, turning the estate into a weekend destination.

The setting continues to define much of the experience. Twin Lakes’ vineyard sits along rolling terrain with views of Taal Lake, providing a backdrop that shapes both the pace and atmosphere of the event. The estate’s European-inspired architecture and open spaces lend a sense of structure, but it is the vineyard itself that remains the focal point.

LAKE VIEW The view of Taal Lake from Twin Lakes Hotel offers guests a defining backdrop during the harvest season. (Photo: Feliciano Rodriguez III/Manila Bulletin)

There is a certain satisfaction in seeing the vineyard come into its own. What began as a promise has developed into something tangible. The earlier projection of a 10-year timeline once seemed distant, but the current harvest suggests that the groundwork has taken hold. With time, the estate has shown that growth, when given patience, can take form in ways that are both visible and shareable.

For those heading to Tagaytay this weekend, the Grape Harvest Festival is a timely and fun addition to the usual itinerary. — Feliciano Rodriguez III

The festival is scheduled for May 9. Guests are advised to follow Twin Lakes’ official social media pages for updates and further details on activities planned for the weekend.

*****