20°00′24.8″N 73°41′18.5″E / 20.006889°N 73.688472°E / 20.006889; 73.688472

Sula Vineyards
LocationNashik, Maharashtra, India
Founded1999; 25 years ago (1999)
First vintage1999
Key people
VarietalsChenin blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Viognier, Grenache, Zinfandel
Other productsGrape seed oil, Grape brandy
Websitewww.sulavineyards.com
Sula Vineyards Ltd
Company typePublic
NSESULA
BSE543711
RevenueIncrease 553 crore (US$66 million) (FY23)[1]
Increase 84 crore (US$10 million) (FY23)[1]

Sula Vineyards (or "Sula") is a winery and vineyard located in the Nashik region of western India, 180 km northeast of Mumbai. It was founded by Rajeev Samant in 1999.[2] Sula has grown to be India’s largest and most awarded wine brand. Sula introduced grape varietals such as Chenin blanc, Sauvignon blanc, Riesling and Zinfandel in India and is the leading player in the Indian wine industry.[3]

History

Sula Vineyards was founded by Rajeev Samant in the late 1990s. An alumnus of Stanford University, he worked at Oracle Corporation in California after his graduation. After quitting his corporate job, Samant established Sula upon his return to India.[4]

Sula was named after Samant's mother – 'Sulabha'. Samant steadily grew the company over the next few years by introducing newer grape varieties and expanding the company's offerings.[4] Over the last few decades, the Nashik region has transformed and is often referred to as "India’s Napa Valley".[5]

Wine barrels at Sula Vineyards

Wine Brands

Rasa[6] -

RASA Cabernet Sauvignon
RASA Cabernet Sauvignon
Dindori Reserve Chardonnay
Dindori Reserve Chardonnay

Dindori

Sulaʼs Dindori Reserve highlights the winemakers and their endeavors, using their winemaking skills and tools.

The Dindori collection by Sula includes three variants -

The Source

Sula Sparkling Shiraz
Sula Sparkling Shiraz

Sula Classics

Sula’s wine offering includes over 30 variants[7] -

Dia Sparkling Red & White Wine Sparkler
Dia Sparkling Red & White Wine Sparkler

Dia Wine Sparkler

India’s first wine in a can - Dia wine sparkler was launched in 2019. The wine is currently available in Goa and Maharashtra.[9]

Kadu

The first Indian wine for a cause: Sula has partnered with Sanctuary Nature Foundation, a non-profit organization designed to empower and support grassroot conservationists across India.[10][11][12]

The Kadu collection by Sula includes four variants -

Sula's Tasting Cellar at Nashik
Sula's tasting cellar and bottle display at Nashik

Sula Selections - Imports

Sula also imports and distributes leading international wines and spirits such as Le Grand Noir, Torres, Trapiche, Hardy's, Bouchard Aîné et Fils, Cap Royal, Cono Sur, Gruppo Italiano Vini, Beluga Vodka, Asahi and many more.

Sula exports many of its wines to over 30 countries and includes countries like Singapore, Australia, Italy, France to name a few.[13]

Sustainability

Over 50% of all of Sula’s energy needs are met by the solar panels installed at the winery in Nashik. The packaging used for Sula’s products are 99% recyclable, and the company has planted over 30,000 trees around Nashik in the last few years.[14]

Milestones

Sula is considered a pioneer in India winemaking and has achieved many milestones in the last few decades. These are the milestones achieved -

Wine tourism

Beyond By Sula resort
SulaFest in February 2020

Sula also owns and operates two wine resorts called "The Source at Sula" and "Beyond by Sula" located near its plant in Nashik. It has a tasting room at its winery in Nashik and one at "Domaine Sula" vineyard in Karnataka.[23]

Starting from 2008, Sula conducted an annual wine-and-music festival called SulaFest at its vineyard in Nashik.[24][25] SulaFest was discontinued after 13 editions, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.[26]

References

  1. ^ a b Podishetti, Akash (3 May 2023). "Sula Vineyards Q4 Results: Profit rises 5% to Rs 14 crore; revenue up 7%". The Economic Times. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Sula Vineyards seeks to blend rapid growth with sustainability". @businessline. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  3. ^ Harding, Julia (1 September 2015). The Oxford Companion to Wine. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198705383.
  4. ^ a b "Rajeev Samant | The pursuit of cool – Livemint". www.livemint.com. 13 October 2007. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  5. ^ "India's 'Napa Valley': Sula vineyard pioneers eco-friendly wine in an emerging market". The Ecologist. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  6. ^ Blog, magicpin (23 August 2018). "10 Of The Best Red Wine In India That Makes Or Break Our Weekends". Medium. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  7. ^ Chandra, Alok (26 November 2011). "India's best wines". Business Standard India. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  8. ^ "The 10 Finest Indian Red Wines You Need On Your Shelf!". magicpin Blog. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Sula Vineyards Launches India's First Wine in a Can 'Dia Sparkler'". BW Hotelier. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  10. ^ Vishal, Anoothi (15 December 2017). "Shiraz with a cause: on Sula Vineyards' Kādu wine". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Sula brings India's first wine for a cause to Maharashtra". Business Traveller. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  12. ^ "FNB News - Kadu, India's first wildlife wine brand, brought to Maharashtra by Sula | FNB News". www.fnbnews.com. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Marks & Spencer unveils an Indian wine range – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Growing green grapes and bottling sustainable wine in India". The Ecologist. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  15. ^ Balakrishnan, Reghu (16 May 2013). "Everstone set to sell stake in Sula Vineyards". Business Standard India. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Raindrops and rosé at the launch of Grenache Rosé". The Hindu. 15 November 2017. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  17. ^ An, Shruti (5 November 2018). "Sula Vineyards Launches Sparkling Shiraz, A Festive Wine Perfect For Celebrations And Gifting". HungryForever Food Blog. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  18. ^ Rana, Pratishtha (11 December 2019). "Sula Vineyards Launches KĀDU - India's First Wildlife Wine | Luxebook". Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Sula Vineyards launches country's first canned wine". The Economic Times. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  20. ^ Balachandar, G. (8 February 2020). "Raise a toast! Sula wines to be sold in select Tasmac outlets". @businessline. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Sula creates exclusive label for Air India". Express Food Hospitality. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Marks & Spencer unveils its first Indian wine". India Today. Indo-Asian News Service. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  23. ^ "Sula Vineyards Ltd IPO opens today: Here's everything you need to know". The Indian Express. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  24. ^ Chandra, Alok (20 February 2016). "A toast to SulaFest". Business Standard India. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  25. ^ "SulaFest returns with gourmet music". The Hindu Businessline. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  26. ^ "SulaFest is out but Sula charges ahead with Wine Tourism". Indian Wine Academy. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2024.