Situated 180 km northeast of Mumbai, Nashik is India’slargest grape-growing region, but traditionally never grew wine grapes. Wondering why, Rajeev Samant an enterprising, Stanford-trained engineer quit his hi-tech Silicon Valley job in 1993 to do some investigating.

A little research quickly showed that the Nashik climate was not only perfect for wine grapes, but was also on par with winegrowing regions in Spain, California, and Australia. His determination doubled, Rajeev returned to California in search of a winemaker. In Sonoma County he found Kerry Damskey, an eminent Californian winemaker, who enthusiastically agreed to help start a winery on Rajeev’s 30 acre family estate.

In 1997, the duo took the revolutionary step of planting French Sauvignon Blanc and Californian Chenin Blanc, varieties that had never before been planted in India. The first Sula wines, released in 2000, were widely acclaimed as India’s best white wines.

Since its inception, Sula has rapidly established itself as India’s leading premium wine brand, helping spark a wine revolution that has seen consumption grow at 25% annually and several new wineries come up in the Nashik area. In November 2002, Wine Spectator – the world's No.1 wine magazine – did a five-page feature on Sula, a proud first for an Indian winery.

A second winery with three times the capacity of the first was completed in late 2004 to keep up with demand, and a third million litre winery started operations in 2006. The four wineries that Sula owns today have a combined capacity of 5 million litres. Sula has expanded from the original 30 acre family estate to 1500 acres (owned and contracted) under plantation, both in Nashik as well as in nearby Dindori, India’s upcoming wine region. Varietals planted include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Zinfandel and Merlot along with the original Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. In addition to having a wide national distribution network within India, Sula also exports its wines internationally, as well as importing and distributing wines from leading producers worldwide.

In 2003 Sula produced India’s first Zinfandel Rose and in 2005, Sula’s Dindori Reserve Shiraz, as well as India’s first dessert wine, the Late Harvest Chenin Blanc were released.

The winery and vineyards are open to the public for educational tours, and the beautiful Tasting Room invites visitors to enjoy their favourite Sula wines amidst spectacular views of the vineyards and surrounding lakes and hills. Visitors can now spend a few nights in paradise at BEYOND, Sula’s new bungalow on the vineyards with a beautiful lake view.

Firmly committed to remaining at the forefront of Indian wines, Sula continues to experiment with new varietals, engage in sustainable agriculture, support the local rural economy, and, of course, make wines of outstanding quality and superb value.

Sula Vineyards is now India’s #1 premium wine company, with sales of over 2 million bottles in 2007-08.

Wines

Our wines are made from grapes grown at our Nasik and Dindori estates, as well as from those sourced from local farmers operating under the guidance of Sula’s team of experts.

Vineyard

Our wines are produced with grapes harvested from our Nashik and Dindori estate vineyards as well as from local contract farmers operating under the expert guidance of the Sula team. Good wine can only come from good grapes, and grapes can only be as good as their terroir - the magical combination of geographical and climatic conditions - permits. Learn more about our terroir, or discover how green our thumbs really are in sustainable agriculture. If reading about all this isn't enough, come on over and experience our vineyards yourself.

Vineyard, Winery Tours & Wine Tasting

One of our friendly, knowledgeable tour guides will take you on a tour of the vineyards and winery, uncovering the mysteries of the winemaking process from grape to bottle. End your tour in our Tasting Room, where we’ll lead you through the proper steps to see, swirl, sniff, and sip wine.

Tours and tastings are conducted seven days a week throughout the year. The harvest and crush season runs from January to March.

Winery tours and wine tastings take place daily between 11.30 am – 5.30 pm (one tour every hour).

Tastings and tours cost Rs. 100 which includes five wines, and with a Rs. 50 supplement you also get to taste our premium red wine, Dindori Reserve Shiraz.

Winery tour followed by wine tasting will take approximately 40 - 45 minutes

TASTING ROOM

After visiting our estate vineyards, come and enjoy our Tasting Room - India’s first – located atop our winery. Designed by Californian architects Andy Hope and Laurel Roth, the 2,000-sq.ft. Tasting Room boasts a blue-mosaic balcony bar with a panoramic view of the rolling vineyards surrounded by hills and the picturesque Gangapur lake in the distance. The 34-ft. bar runs continuously from the inner room to the open balcony, and is softly lit by wine bottle lamps hanging from the ceiling.

More wine bottles glow alluringly from embedded backlit cases in the wood-panelled wall, while a large window in the back offers a view directly into the winery’s bottling room. A large glass display area showcasing Sula T-shirts, stemware and ice buckets for sale completes the charm of the Tasting Room.

Our Tasting Room is a great place around which to build a 1- or 2-day getaway. Tour the winery with our friendly, knowledgeable tour guides who are always on hand to answer questions about viticulture and the winemaking process. Taste some of our wines, and then purchase your favourite bottle (or three) to take home or enjoy right there – paired with a delicious cheese platter – as you watch the sunset from the peaceful balcony.

Tasting Room opening hours

Sunday – Thursday: 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 11.00 am – 11.00 pm
Winery Tours run between 11.30 am – 5.30 pm

Tasting Room is closed during ‘dry days’.