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Who could have believed that a day would come when present-day India would produce its own wines? Over 50,000 hectares of land in the country are presently under grape cultivation. India’s top wine-growing destinations are Nashik, Pune, Bangalore, Belgaum, Bijapur and the Nandi Valley. The idyllic conditions of the Nashik-Pune region have made Maharashtra India’s leading wine-growing region; north Kashmir and bits of Punjab and in the south, the state of Karnataka was considered other potential wine-producing areas in the country. Today Karnataka is the second-largest grape-producing region with emerging wine culture.
From Nashik, India’s wine capital, vineyards radiate into three main areas: the Gangapur Lake and Dam region just 20 minutes away; the Sanjegaon district, 45 minutes away and the Dindori district, about an hour’s drive away from town. There are claims that this district produces the best grapes; the Grover Zampa-controlled Charosa Vineyards and Domaine Chandon are also located here.
Holidaying metro visitors and international travellers are now joyfully converging on the region for some surprisingly exciting wine-tasting experiences. The bonus is you can pick up bottles of the expressions that please you best, direct from the source.
Known best for its proximity to the spiritual hub of the Shirdi, the sacred Godavari River the venue of the Kumbh mela and easy access to the Igatpuri Vipassana Centre, Nashik’s wine country imbibes richly of these contemplative environs.
SULA VINEYARDS
Overlooking the serene waters of Gangapur Lake Sula Vineyards is at the heart of India’s wine-growing region in Nashik in the state of Maharashtra.
Just a three-hour drive away from the bustling Nashik the gentle undulations of Sula’s hilly surrounds, to some, may evoke the iconic countryside of Italy’s Tuscan region. A couple of ambrosial glasses down the hatch and you could well be transported to that glorious wine-growing hub.
Sula offers memorable experiences of its journey from grape to glass in its Tasting Rooms, abustle with the convivial chatter of its weekend visitors. India’s leading producer of wines has embedded its popularity far beyond the confines of its Tasting Rooms with its widespread pan-India market network.
A guided wine tour offers insights into the mysteries of winemaking at every stage— from planting to the process of making the wine to the storage. The tour is followed by a tasting session conducted by the expert resident sommeliers and winemakers. Visitors get quite invigorated being introduced to the niceties of wine tasting which involves 5 steps — Colour, Swirl, Smell, Taste and Savour. You can stay on longer to enjoy a delicious lunch complemented by ideal pairings with their elegant wines. If your visit is during February-March you can try and take part in the grape stomping which Sula hosts. This involves barefoot stomping of the grapes in a wooden barrel.
The addition of two resorts— Beyond by Sula’ and Source at Sula, introduced over time here, offers the perfect excuse to make the idyllic Sula Vineyards a lovely weekend getaway from Mumbai or Pune. Purportedly India’s largest vineyard, it houses a wine factory, restaurants, an amphitheatre and landscaped gardens.
A much-awaited event is the annual Sulafest by Sula.
Established in 1996 by Rajeev Samant and his partner from California, Kerry Damskey, Sula which has also gone international, offers Red, White, Rose, Sparkling and Dessert wine. As a pioneer of India’s wine industry, Sawant is also a leading advocate for India’s wine industry and is actively sought out to represent the interests of India’s wine producers and farmers to national and state governments.
If you are in Bangalore, try and book a guided wine tour of Sula’s vineyard Domaine Sula located on the Bengaluru – Mysore highway.
Soma Vine Village
Pradeep Pachpatil (PSP), CMD, Somanda Vineyards earlier worked with Sula Vineyards as the senior vice president of Operations for over a decade. Having honed his skills in the art of wine-making in the company of Chilean, French, South African and American winemakers, making him one of the foremost winemakers in India, Pachpatil decided to set up Soma Vine Village, India’s first vineyard resort. In 2012, PSP started his first boutique winery in the Gangapur Dam area; it became a runaway success. PSP’s vision is to create an ideal boutique winery business model that would inspire and benefit farmers and budding entrepreneurs.
Located in Village Gangavarhe, Gangapur-Gangavarhe Road, today the 25-acre land produces 5 varieties, of wines —Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet and Zinfande. Soma Vine Village’s Masterclass, conducted by certified sommeliers, now offers an exclusive experience with expert-led masterclasses.
York Winery
Also located in in Gangavarhe village in the Gangapur Dam area, and established by Nashik-based entrepreneur Lilo Gurnani, the York winery straddles nine acres of prime winegrowing terrain. Established in 2006 it’s a friendly family-owned winery where you get to sample award-winning expressions like York Estate Reserve Shiraz 2008, the Chenin Blanc and the Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz Viognier, and Rose. Do try the Cuvee India’s first sparkling wine made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes.
Grover Zampa Vineyards
Located in the Vaitarana Lake area, between Igatpuri and Nashik in the Sanjegaon district, Grover Zampa Vineyards was founded in 1988 at Doddaballapur near Bangalore by businessman Kanwal Grover. During his extensive travels abroad, Grover, who was involved in importing hi-tech equipment for India’s space programme and defence production, decided to go another route altogether by going into the wine-growing business. Starting completely from scratch with the help of George Vesselle, the then Technical Director of Champagne Mumm Vineyard in France, the company with its twin locations, in the Nandi Hills in Karnataka and the Nashik Valley in Maharashtra, is now India’s second-largest winemaker with wineries and vineyards in both locations.
The duo became pioneers of winemaking in India, as they set about exploring the country to find the most appropriate region to grow French grape varieties. Grover Vineyards merged with Vallée de Vin in 2012 to form Grover Zampa. Grover Zampa Vineyards chairman Ravi Vishwanathan, who bought the entity, after merging Grover and Zampa in 2012, now controls more than 50 per cent of the company. He has also one vineyard and winery in Burgundy, France.
Grover Zampa’s flagship La Reserve Shiraz-Cabernet blend is notable for being India’s first reserve wine. Other acclaimed favourites are the Soiree Brut, the Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz Rose, Chenin Blanc, and Cabernet Shiraz.
An unmissable event is the annual Great Grover Stomp.
Vallonne Vineyards
Also located in the lake area Vallonne Vineyards offers lovely views of the Kavnai Peak; it is the brainchild of Shailendra Pai who set it up with buddy Alan Viegas. Visitors can sample their delicious wines over expertly led wine-tasting sessions.
ACCOMMODATION
Most wineries now offer stay options
ACCESS
Rail: The nearest station is Nasik Road, which is around 25kms from the Gangapur wineries area
Road: Nashik city is about 180 km from Mumbai and 210 km from Pune. To explore the region, it is recommended you drive.
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