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Sula Vineyards

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Coordinates: 20°00′24.8″N 73°41′18.5″E / 20.006889°N 73.688472°E / 20.006889; 73.688472
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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
NSE: SULA
BSE: 543711
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

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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

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Rasa[6] -

  • Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon - This red wine is aged in French oak barrels for over a year and then matured in the bottle before release. It contains an ABV of 14%.
  • Rasa Zinfandel - This rough red wine matures for around 3–4 months in American Oak barrels and contains an ABV of 14%.
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 -

  • Dindori Reserve Viognier - This dry white wine has a rich fruity profile and an ABV of 12.5%.
  • Dindori Reserve Chardonnay - This medium-bodied dry white wine is partly aged in French Oak barrels and contains an ABV of 13%.
  • Dindori Reserve Shiraz - This full-bodied, dry red wine is barrel-aged in American oak for 10–12 months and contains an ABV of 14%. It is the first ever Indian wine to feature in the ‘Top 100 Wines’ list by Wine Enthusiast.

The Source

  • The Source Grenache Rosé - This rosé wine contains an ABV of 12.5%.
  • The Source Sauvignon Blanc Reserve - This medium-bodied dry white wine is partly aged in French Oak barrels and contains an ABV of 12.5%.
  • The Source Cabernet Sauvignon - A well-balanced wine with notes of black fruits. It has an ABV of 13.5%.
Sula Sparkling Shiraz
Sula Sparkling Shiraz

Sula Classics

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

  • Sula Brut - matured for 2–4 months. It contains an ABV of 12%.
  • Sula Brut Tropicale - Sula’s first Blanc de Noirs is a blend of 60% Chenin Blanc and 40% includes Shiraz and Riesling. It is bottle-aged for 18 months and contains an ABV of 12%.
  • Sula Sparkling Shiraz - Sula Sparkling Shiraz is India’s first and only sparkling shiraz wine. Matured for 4–5 months in oak barrels, this wine contains an ABV of 13.5%.
  • Sula Zinfandel Rosé - India’s first ever Zinfandel, this wine contains an ABV of 11.5%.
  • Sula Riesling - This fruity white wine is India’s first Riesling and contains an ABV of 11%.
  • Sula Sauvignon Blanc - India’s first ever Sauvignon Blanc, this unbaked white wine contains an ABV of 12.5%.
  • Sula Chenin Blanc - This semi-dry white wine is India’s first ever Chenin Blanc as well as the country’s best-selling white wine. It contains an ABV of 12%.
  • Sula Chenin Blanc Reserve - The limited edition Chenin Blanc Reserve is hand-picked from Sula’s Dindori estate vineyards. Partially aged in French oak barrels, it contains an ABV of 12.5%.
  • Sula Cabernet Shiraz - This medium-bodied red wine is India’s best-selling red wine. It contains an ABV of 13.5%.[8]
  • Sula Zinfandel - This medium-bodied red wine contains an ABV of 13.5%.
  • Sula Late Harvest Chenin Blanc - This dessert wine by Sula is India’s first ever late harvest Chenin Blanc and contains an ABV of 13.5%.
  • Sula Seco Rosé - This medium-dry rosé sparkling wine contains an ABV of 10.5%.
  • Sula Seco - Sula Seco Rose is a medium dry rosé sparkling wine with an ABV of 10.5%.
  • Sula Satori Tempranillo - "Satori" is a Zen term meaning "sudden enlightenment". This red wine variant is a medium-bodied blend of Tempranillo, Malbec and Merlot. It contains an ABV of 13%.
  • Sula Brut Crémant De Nashik - a sparkling wine with an ABV of 12%.
Dia Sparkling Red & White Wine Sparkler
Dia Sparkling Red & White Wine Sparkler

Dia Wine Sparkler

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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

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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 -

  • Kadu Chenin Blanc - This refreshing white wine contains an ABV of 12%.
  • Kadu Cabernet Shiraz - This medium-bodied red wine contains an ABV of 13%.
  • Kadu Shiraz Rosé - This fruity wine contains an ABV of 12%
  • Kadu Sauvignon Blanc - This aromatic white wine contains an ABV of 12%
Sula's Tasting Cellar at Nashik
Sula's tasting cellar and bottle display at Nashik

Sula Selections - Imports

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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

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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

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

  • Sula Vineyards was the first company to set up a winery in Nashik in 1999. The company has been instrumental in Nashik earning a reputation of becoming the ‘Wine Capital of India.’
  • Sula pioneered many classic grape varieties including Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc in 2000, Zinfandel in 2003, and Riesling in 2008.[15]
  • Launched India’s first Grenache Rosé.[16]
  • Launched India’s first and only sparkling Shiraz.[17]
  • Producer of India’s best-selling red wine.
  • Sula Sommeliers conducted nearly 1300 tastings for consumers and institutions in 2020
  • Sula is also one of the few authorized WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) course providers in India. The Wine & Spirit Education Trust often referred to as WSET, is a global organization that arranges courses and exams in the field of wine and spirits.
  • Launched India’s first ‘Wildlife Wine’, Kadu in four varieties available in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa.[18]
  • Launched India’s first wine in a can – Dia, in two variants of red and white wine.[19]
  • Sula is the first national wine brand to be listed with TASMAC - The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation.[20]
  • Sula’s wines are served on India’s national carrier - Air India.[21]
  • Sula is the first Indian wine to be listed by Marks & Spencer UK in the year 2013.[22]

Wine tourism

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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

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  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. 4 May 2012. 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. 10 August 2010. 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.
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