Where Will You Find the Best Wines in Maharashtra?

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I have heard this many times that it is because of Mumbai that Maharashtra gets its global recognition, but sometimes I think that is not completely true. There are so many aspects and faces of Maharashtra that people of Mumbai have hardly seen. Of course, like others I feel proud of my city’s contribution to the progress of the state and the country, but it is not just Mumbai alone that contributes. How much do you really know about the wine industry in Maharashtra? Well, if I would have asked myself the same question few years ago, I would have said, I know nothing. In fact, few years ago I didn’t even knew if there were vineyards and wineries in Maharashtra. In the year 2008 when Mumbai was under attack the wine industry in Maharashtra suffered a great deal as most of the wine drinking tourists from Europe and other parts of the world decided to stay away. However, it was only in 2010 that these wineries decided to fight back and get into action and capture the market all over. Today, Maharashtra handles around 75% of wine production across the country which indicates that Maharashtra leads wine tourism in India. To make it even better many wineries are now investing heavily in setting up better infrastructure that allow them to develop their vineyards as tourist destinations like in California and other parts of the world. Here we take a quick look at some of the best wineries in Maharashtra that you can visit as your honeymoon trip or with your family and friends.

Sula Vineyards

On the outskirts of Nashik, off Gangapur-Savargaon Road you will come across Sula Vineyards that remain one of the most popular winery that you can find in the state. This winery started off with humble beginnings in 1997 with the help of its founder Rajeev Samant who quit his Silicon Valley job and decided to start a winery on his 30 acre family estate. By the turn of the century, Sula wines managed to be among the top white wines produced in India. After that, Sula Vineyards never looked back and managed to add more varieties and expanded operations. If you are planning to visit Nashik, you can always stop by Sula Vineyard and get some educational tours and also taste wines.

If you want to stay close to the vineyard you can book the luxurious three bedroom bungalow called Beyond that comes with private balcony, swimming pool and in-house chef. Sula Vineyard is open for visitors from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the tour duration is one hour where you can taste around 4 premium wines at the cost of Rs. 150 per person. The winery tour that will follow wine tasting will take another 45 minutes. However, please make sure that you do not visit Sula Vineyards on dry days as the Tasting Room is closed on those days. You can try Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Rose, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon here.

Chateau Indage

The wine tourism in Maharashtra is not just a recent phenomenon and dates back almost few decades ago. In 1982, Shyamrao Chowgule founded Chateau Indage that still manages to be among the top wineries in India and also in Maharashtra. Located on the outskirts of Narayangaon on the Pune Nashik highway, Chateau Indage is well known for its premium range of Chantilli wines that includes chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. Visitors can explore more than 25 varieties of grapes that are grown here for wine production. The property also has some rooms for accommodation so make sure you book your room in advance. If you are hungry you can enjoy some delicious food at Cafe Ivy along with the wines that are locally made.

Chateau d’Ori

There is a saying that says old wines taste better, but Chateau d’Ori is trying hard to make sure that new wines taste equally good. This new winery entered the wine tourism space in the year 2007. It is mainly because of the passion of the founder Ranjit Dhuru that has made this winery among the top wineries in Maharashtra. The winery also includes state of the art technologies that ensure that the wines taste on par with international wines.

The winery today has thriving vines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. You can try Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon here. The winery is located at the base of the picturesque Nhera-Ori hills at Dindori which is around 22 kilometers north of Nashik. Its 2007 Cabernet Merlot has been voted as the best in India and the property has around 400 acres of vineyards that also acts as a tourist destination. The property also has three artificial lakes for boating, luxurious farmhouse and ambient tasting lounge.

Valle de Vin

I believe the word Zampa Wines is easier to remember than Valle de Vin although both the names take us to the same winery in Maharashtra. The winery is located in the beautiful landscape of Sanjegaon which is in between Igatpuri and Nashik. In fact, you will need to make a short detour to the Sanjegaon district.  Valle de Vin has managed to make their mark in the wine industry in Maharashtra and has produced some of the best wines in India.

Zampa is the premium wine brand that Valle de Vin produces and the brand is so popular that they are sometimes referred to as Zampa Wines. The winery also makes use of the state of the art technologies to ensure that they produce some of the finest wines that you can find in the country. The winery is open to visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will cost you around Rs. 125 for tasting five wines and a free vineyard tour after that.

The wine tourism in Maharashtra is still in its infant stages but there is a continuous growth that is visible as more couples and families come to these wineries not just to taste some of the top wines in the country, but also to know and learn more about grape cultivation and process of wine making and to understand the culture that is associated with cultivating grapes. I hope Maharashtra wineries can emulate success like most Californian wineries, but let me know your views and thoughts on this aspect of tourism that is evolving in the interiors of the state.

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