Sula Vineyards

Sula Vineyards was founded by Mr. Rajeev Samant in the late 1990s. An alumnus of Stanford University, he worked at Oracle in California after his graduation. After quitting his corporate job, Mr. Samant established Sula upon his return to India.[5]

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.[5] Over the last few decades, the Nashik region has transformed and is often referred to as "India’s Napa Valley".[6]

Sign board at the entrance

Rasa

Through artisan winemaking and selective triage, the ambition of Rasa is to produce the best red wines of India.[9] -

• Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon - This elegant red wine is aged in premium French oak barrels for over a year and then matured in the bottle before release. It contains an ABV of 14%.
• Rasa Syrah -The red wine is aged for around 12-16 months in French oak barrels and contains an ABV of 14%.
• Rasa Zinfandel - This smooth red wine matures for around 3-4 months in French Oak barrels and contains an ABV of 14%.

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 off-dry white wine has a rich fruity profile and an ABV of 12.5%.
• Dindori Reserve Chardonnay - This medium-bodied off-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.

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.[13][14][15]

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 also imports and distributes leading international wines and spirits such as Le Grand Noir, Torres, Trapiche, Hardy's, Bouchard Aîné et Fils, Louis XIII, Remy Martin VSOP, Beluga Vodka, The Botanist, Bruichladdich, Asahi and many more![16]

Sula exports many of its products to over 30 countries and includes countries like Singapore, Australia, China to name a few.[17]

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.[18]

The annual music festival, SulaFest, takes place at this Greek-style amphitheater at Sula Vineyards

India’s biggest vineyard music festival, SulaFest takes place at the Sula vineyards in Nashik every year. Started in 2008, the festival has performances by global artists, gourmet food, and a variety of wine-centric activities like grape stomping, wine tasting, and camping etc.[19][20]

Established in 2015, The Source at Sula is India’s first heritage vineyard resort, situated in the heart of Sula Vineyards in Nashik. This 51 room boutique hotel offers a variety of accommodation options including ‘treehouses’ and luxurious suites for all types of holiday goers.[21]

Tucked behind the rolling hills of Gangapur and surrounded by the serenity of its calm waters, Beyond by Sula is a true hidden gem. The luxury vineyard property now consists of a minimalistic 3-bedroom Sky Villa with unparalleled lake views and a feeling of peace and privacy as well as 7 Lakeview rooms that are a little haven of peace.[22]

• Wine Enthusiast Best Buying Guide 2020
  • Sula Shiraz - 90 points
  • Sula Shiraz 2018 was in the list of 100 best buys of Wine Enthusiast
  • Sula Brut Tropicale - 89 points
  • Sula Sauvignon Blanc - 87 points
  • Sula Riesling - 87 points
  • Sula Chenin Blanc - 87 points
  • Sula Shiraz - 90 points
  • Sula Brut Tropicale - 89 points
  • Sula Sauvignon Blanc - 87 points
• Sula won the following awards at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 -
  • Silver
    • Dindori Reserve Viogner
    • Late Harvest Chenin Blanc

• Bronze
  • The Source Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
  • Brut
  • Dindori Reserve Chardonnay
  • Dindori Reserve Shiraz
  • Rasa Syrah
  • Sula Riesling
  • Sula Sauvignon Blanc
  • The Source Grenache Rose

• Sula Vineyards has won the “Fastest Growing Indian Company Excellence Award” by IEDRA (Indian Economic Development & Research Association).
• In 2002, Sula was the first Indian winery to be featured in Wine Spectator, one of the world’s leading wine magazines.
• It is the 1st Indian company to win a Drinks Business Award, winning in the category of ‘Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism’ in the year 2016
• Sula swept away 7 prestigious awards at the ‘Indian Wine Consumer's Choice Awards 2018’.
  • Bagged 3 gold awards for:

• The Sula Riesling 2017
• Sula Sauvignon Blanc 2017
• Sula Zinfandel Rosé 2017

• Bagged 3 silver awards for:
  • The Sula Brut Tropicale
  • Sula Zinfandel 2017
  • Sula Rasa Shiraz 2014
  • The Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2017 was bestowed with the bronze award.
• Sula won 12 awards at the 3rd edition of the India Wine Awards, 2019:
  • BEST IN SHOW - The Source Grenache Rose 2019
  • GOLD AWARD:

• Sula Rasa Zinfandel 2018
• Sula Chenin Blanc Reserve 2019
• Sula Sauvignon Blanc 2019
• Sula Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

• SILVER AWARD:
  • The Source Sauvignon Blanc 2019
  • Sula Brut
  • Sula Chenin Blanc 2019
  • Sula Rasa Shiraz 2018
  • Sula Zinfandel Red 2019
  • Sula Zinfandel Rose 2019
• Sula Riesling 2019 - Best Wine Pairing with Chicken Kung Pao
• Rasa Shiraz – Silver Medal, Syrah Du Monde (2010)
• Dindori Reserve Shiraz – Ranked #25 on Wine Enthusiast magazine's Top 100 Wines of the Year list (2011)
• Sauvignon Blanc
  • Silver Medal, Decanter World Wine Awards (UK) (2011)
  • Gold Medal, Indian Consumers Choice Award (2012) (2013)
• Zinfandel
  • Bronze Medal, Decanter Wine Asia Awards (2012)
  • Silver Medal, Indian Consumers Choice Award (2013)
• Riesling – Gold Medal, Indian Consumers Choice Award (2013)
• Late Harvest Chenin Blanc – Gold Medal, Indian Consumers Choice Award (2013)
• Rasa Shiraz – Silver Medal, Syrah Du Monde (2014)[23]

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.[24]
• Launched India’s first Grenache Rosé.[25]
• Launched India’s first and only sparkling Shiraz.[26]
• Producer of India’s best-selling red wine.
• Sula is a leader in wine education in India – 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. WSET was founded in 1969, is headquartered in London and is generally regarded as one of the world's leading providers of wine education.
• Launched India’s first ‘Wildlife Wine’, Kadu in four varieties available in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa.[27]
• Launched India’s first wine in a can – Dia, in two variants of red and white wine.[28]
• Sula is the first national wine brand to be listed with TASMAC - The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation.[29]
• Sula’s wines are served on India’s national carrier - Air India. [30]
• Sula is the first Indian wine to be listed by Marks & Spencer UK in the year 2013.[31]

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), is a global organization that facilitates courses in the field of wine and spirits. Founded in 1969, WSET is headquartered in London and is regarded as one of the world's leading wine and spirits education providers.[32]

As the number one Approved Programme Provider (APP) for WSET, Sula Vineyards offers globally recognized certificate courses in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Goa, Bengaluru, Delhi, Nagpur, and Hyderabad for beginners and aficionados alike.[33]

• Official website
• Sula Fest website