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To trace the evolution of Indian wine is to journey through a dramatic landscape of contrasts: from the valleys of Nashik and the high elevations of Nandi Hills to the historic, granite-strewn terrain of Hampi. What began as an ambitious experiment has matured into a sophisticated culture driven by a new generation of passionate vintners.
Beyond the cellar doors lie boutique stays, regional culinary pairings, and new-age design, offering a holistic window into India’s wine-making practice. Together, these vineyards tell a story of craft, place, and reinvention, and here are our top picks.
Located in Nashik, Sula Vineyards is India’s most well-known wine destination and a pioneer of the country’s modern wine culture. Founded by Rajeev Samant, Sula began producing wine in 2000 and helped put the region on India’s wine map. With a diverse portfolio, the vineyard produces a range of different wines, including global favourites like Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, and Zinfandel.
Sula also attracts visitors for its immersive wine-tourism experience. You can tour the winery, enjoy guided tastings, dine overlooking the vineyards and stay at their Tuscan-inspired property, The Source at Sula. Asia's first vineyard music festival, SulaFest, is also held here anually, bringing together a mix of international and homegrown musicians, grape stomping, and gourmet dining across two days.
Soma Vine Village is a boutique winery and vineyard resort in Nashik, founded by winemaker Pradeep Pachpatil. Set amidst scenic vineyards near Gangapur, the estate seamlessly combines winemaking with luxury experiences. Pachpatil’s extensive background includes working with Chateau Indage and Sula Vineyards, as well as training with international winemakers.
Soma produces a diverse range of wines, including Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, rosé, and sparkling wines. Its appeal lies in its intimate, relaxed atmosphere and emphasis on wine tourism, with guided tastings, vineyard tours, cycling, swimming pools and accommodation. The property is also known for its distinctive barrel-house stays, offering visitors an unusual way to experience vineyard life.
Vallonné Vineyards in Kavnai, Maharashtra, is a boutique winery known for its French-inspired winemaking. Founded in 2009 by veteran vintner Shailendra Pai, the estate combines vineyards, a four-room boutique hotel and the Yelloh! restaurant, overlooking the Mukhne Dam and the Sahyadri hills.
Vallonné Vineyards' most distinct offering is their Cabernet Sauvignon rosé, claimed to be the only Indian rosé made from Cabernet Sauvignon. They are also known for their unique dessert wines, made using grapes that are sundried in specially constructed straw huts, inspired by the traditional straw wines of France's Jura region. Additionally, the Reserve and Grand Reserve Collections reflect the winery’s focus on small-batch, premium production.
Fratelli Vineyards in Akluj, in Maharashtra’s Solapur region, is one of India’s leading wineries, known for its expansive 240-acre estate. The winery was founded in 2007 by the Secci brothers from Italy and the Sekhi and Mohite-Patil brothers from India. Their winemaking technique combines Italian winemaking expertise with the distinctive terroir of Maharashtra.
Guided by Tuscan winemaker Piero Masi, Fratelli produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Shiraz, and Sauvignon Blanc, among others. Its flagship Sette, a Cabernet Sauvignon–Sangiovese blend aged in French oak, reflects the estate’s Italian influence and ambition. The winery has also developed its estate into a destination, offering vineyard experiences, tastings, food and wine pairings, starlit dinners and luxury stays
Located near the Gangapur Dam in Nashik, York Winery is a family-owned winery established in 2006. Founded by entrepreneur Lilo Gurnani, it has become a popular destination for visitors exploring Nashik’s wine country. The winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Zinfandel and Viognier, to name a few. However, it it most well known for the Reserve Shiraz.
York Wineries overlooks the backwaters of Gangapur Dam, creating a relaxed atmosphere for wine tasting and other leisure activities during your visit, including winery tours and wine and food pairings at the Cellar Door restaurant which serves North Indian and Maharashtrian-inspired dishes.
KRSMA Estates is one of India’s most distinctive boutique wineries, located near Tavaregere in Karnataka’s Koppal district, close to the historic landscape of Hampi. Founded by Krishna Prasad and Uma Chigurupati, the estate began harvesting in 2010 and is known for its high-quality, limited-production wines. Its portfolio includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, along with the Bordeaux-inspired K2 range.
KRSMA’s wines are shaped by the region’s distinctive iron-rich soils and a dry climate, while its hands-on approach focuses on careful vineyard management and expressing the character of each vintage wine. The estate has also moved towards organic vineyard practices and gained international recognition through the World’s Best Vineyards list.
With two locations in Nandi Hills, Karnataka and Nashik Valley, Maharashtra, Grover Zampa Vineyards is one of India's oldest wine producers, dating back to the 1960s. Founded by Kanwal Grover, the winery helped establish the foundations of India’s modern wine industry and later expanded through its merger with Vallée de Vin, another Indian winery.
Grover Zampa combines the distinct microclimates of the two major Indian wine regions with French winemaking expertise to produce its labels such as La Réserve, La Réserve Royale, One Tree Hill and Art Collection. Additionally, they also produce a special late-harvest Viognier dessert wine called Vendages Tradives. The winery has worked with international experts, including Michel Rolland, and emphasises selective harvesting and sustainable vineyard practices.