A Long History of Grapes
Grapes have been cultivated and consumed in the Indian subcontinent for centuries, although large-scale modern wine production developed much later.
Wine Country Guide
Indian Wines
High-altitude vineyards, tropical viticulture and a new generation of expressive Indian wines.
Discover the country
India is one of Asia's most distinctive emerging wine countries, with modern production centred primarily in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Nashik has become the country's best-known wine region, while Nandi Hills near Bengaluru has developed a strong reputation for premium vineyards. Warm days, elevated sites, cool nights and carefully timed harvests allow producers to work successfully with international varieties such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier. Modern Indian wine combines international winemaking techniques with a growing understanding of local soils, monsoon cycles and regional terroir.
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The story
Wine History
Grapevines have been cultivated in India for centuries, although modern premium wine production developed much more recently. The contemporary industry began to take shape during the late twentieth century as producers introduced international wine-grape varieties and modern cellar technology. Grover Vineyards established vineyards in Nandi Hills, Karnataka, while Sula Vineyards helped transform Nashik in Maharashtra into India's most recognised wine region from the late 1990s onward. Investment in temperature-controlled winemaking, vineyard management, selective harvesting and international expertise accelerated during the 2000s. Today, Indian producers make still, sparkling, rosé and sweet wines across a wide range of styles, with Nashik and Nandi Hills at the centre of the premium wine industry.
Modern Indian Viticulture Emerges
Investment in European grape varieties and modern winemaking began laying the foundations for India's contemporary premium wine industry.
Grover Vineyards
Grover established premium vineyards in the Nandi Hills area of Karnataka, helping develop modern viticulture in southern India.
Nashik Develops
Nashik's existing table-grape industry, elevation and climate encouraged experimentation with premium wine grapes.
Sula's First Nashik Plantings
Rajeev Samant planted wine grapes in Nashik, contributing to the development of what would become India's most famous wine region.
Sula Releases Its First Wines
Sula's early Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc helped introduce a new generation of Indian consumers to locally produced varietal wine.
Expansion and Professionalisation
Modern wineries, international consultants, improved vineyard management and greater consumer interest drove rapid development of India's wine sector.
A Distinctive Asian Wine Country
Indian producers now make increasingly diverse still, sparkling, rosé and premium reserve wines, with a growing focus on terroir and quality.
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The landscape
Geography & Wine Regions
India's premium wine production is concentrated mainly in western and southern areas where elevation and local geography moderate the country's otherwise warm climate. Nashik lies in Maharashtra's Western Ghats at around 600 metres above sea level, with volcanic basalt, lateritic and clay-rich soils. The nearby Dindori area offers elevated, well-drained vineyard sites particularly suited to red varieties. Farther south, the Nandi Hills area north of Bengaluru provides elevated vineyards, cooler nights and protected slopes. These regional differences allow producers to cultivate a surprisingly broad range of international grape varieties.
Nashik, Maharashtra
India's best-known wine region and the centre of its modern wine industry. Elevated vineyards, volcanic soils and cooler nights help retain acidity while warm days encourage ripeness. Sula Vineyards has played a major role in establishing Nashik's international profile.
Dindori, Maharashtra
A sub-region of the wider Nashik area known for sloping sites, red lateritic and basalt-derived soils and premium red varieties such as Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Nandi Hills, Karnataka
An important premium winegrowing area north of Bengaluru. Elevation, protected slopes and cooler conditions make it suitable for Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Viognier and other varieties. Grover Zampa is closely associated with the region.
Other Maharashtra Vineyards
Additional vineyards around Pune, Sangli, Solapur and other parts of Maharashtra contribute to India's broader wine production.
Karnataka
Beyond Nandi Hills, selected elevated vineyard areas across Karnataka support modern wine production using both red and white international varieties.
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Growing conditions
Climate & Viticulture
Indian wine regions operate under warm tropical and subtropical conditions very different from most traditional European vineyards. Elevation, vineyard aspect and harvest timing are therefore critical to achieving freshness and balance.
Climate
Warm tropical to subtropical, with elevated vineyard sites providing important temperature moderation.
Altitude
Important vineyards such as Nashik and Nandi Hills are located at moderate to high elevations, which contribute to cooler night-time temperatures.
Rainfall
Rainfall is strongly influenced by the summer monsoon, making vineyard drainage, canopy management and harvest timing particularly important.
Key influences
Western Ghats, elevation, monsoon cycles, volcanic and lateritic soils, warm daytime temperatures and cooler nights.
Viticultural challenges
Monsoon rainfall, humidity, fungal disease pressure, heat, irregular seasonal conditions and the need to carefully manage vine growth.
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In the vineyard
Key Grape Varieties
Native varieties
Modern International Varieties
India's premium wine industry has developed primarily around internationally established wine grapes rather than a major group of indigenous Vitis vinifera varieties.
International varieties
Shiraz
One of India's most successful red grapes, producing ripe, spicy wines with dark fruit and supple to structured tannins.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Important for premium reds and blends, especially in Nashik, Dindori and Nandi Hills.
Chenin Blanc
A highly important Indian white variety, produced in styles ranging from fresh and fruity to late-harvest sweet wines.
Sauvignon Blanc
Produces refreshing whites with citrus, tropical fruit and herbal characteristics, particularly in elevated vineyard sites.
Viognier
Well suited to India's warmer conditions, producing aromatic wines with peach, apricot and floral character.
Chardonnay
Used for still and sparkling wines, ranging from fresh unoaked styles to richer barrel-influenced expressions.
Zinfandel
Produces ripe red and rosé wines and has become an identifiable part of India's modern varietal landscape.
Merlot
Used in both varietal wines and blends, contributing soft tannins and ripe red and dark fruit.
Riesling
A smaller but increasingly interesting part of the Indian wine landscape, particularly for aromatic, fresh styles.
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In the glass
Principal Wine Styles
Indian wine spans considerably more than the ripe red styles often associated with warm climates. Producers now make vibrant Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, structured Cabernet and Shiraz, aromatic Viognier, elegant rosé, traditional-method sparkling wines and increasingly ambitious premium reserves.
Shiraz and Cabernet Reds
Ripe dark fruit, spice and structured tannins define many of India's premium red wines, particularly from Nashik, Dindori and Nandi Hills.
Chenin Blanc
One of India's most recognisable white wine styles, typically fresh and fruit-driven with tropical and orchard-fruit character.
Sauvignon Blanc
Bright, aromatic whites combining citrus, tropical fruit, fresh herbs and lively acidity.
Viognier
Aromatic, rounded whites with peach, apricot, floral notes and a supple texture.
Rosé
Fresh, fruit-forward rosé wines made principally from red international varieties such as Shiraz and Zinfandel.
Sparkling Wine
Indian producers make both accessible sparkling wines and premium traditional-method cuvées, often from Chardonnay and other international varieties.
Premium Reserve Reds
Carefully selected fruit, lower yields and oak maturation are used to produce more concentrated and age-worthy Cabernet and Shiraz-based wines.
Late-Harvest and Sweet Wines
Chenin Blanc and other aromatic varieties are used to produce rich dessert wines with tropical fruit, floral notes and balanced acidity.
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Reference
Famous Wines & Appellations
Indian Shiraz
Indian Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet-Shiraz Blends
Indian Chenin Blanc
Indian Sauvignon Blanc
Indian Viognier
Indian Sparkling Wine
Nashik Reserve Reds
Nandi Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
Dindori Shiraz
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vino.sg portfolio
Producers We Work With
Sula Vineyards
Grover Zampa Vineyards
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Understanding the label
Wine Classification
India does not currently operate a comprehensive wine appellation hierarchy directly comparable with the European PDO and DOC systems. Regional names such as Nashik, Dindori and Nandi Hills are therefore particularly important for communicating geographic origin and emerging terroir identity.
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India
The national country of origin for Indian wines.
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State
Maharashtra and Karnataka are the principal states associated with India's modern premium wine industry.
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Wine Region
Names such as Nashik and Nandi Hills communicate increasingly important regional identities.
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Vineyard and Sub-Regional Origin
Producers increasingly emphasise specific vineyard areas such as Dindori and individual estate sites for premium wines.
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At the table
Food & Wine Culture
Indian wines have a natural affinity with the country's highly varied cuisine. Fresh whites and sparkling wines work particularly well with aromatic spices, seafood and fried dishes, while Shiraz and Cabernet blends complement tandoori meats, kebabs and richer curries. The combination of ripe fruit and refreshing acidity also makes Indian wines especially versatile with contemporary Asian food.
Traditional pairings
Paneer tikka Chicken tikka Tandoori chicken Seekh kebabs Lamb and mutton kebabs Butter chicken Fish tikka Goan seafood Biryani Vegetable curries Indian street food Spiced Asian dishesThe essential character
What Defines the Wines of Indian Wines
Indian wine is defined by adaptation. Producers work with international grape varieties under warm, monsoon-influenced conditions while using altitude, careful vineyard management and modern winemaking to retain freshness and balance. Nashik and Nandi Hills have emerged as the country's principal premium wine regions, while producers such as Sula Vineyards and Grover Zampa have helped establish a distinctly Indian interpretation of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and sparkling wine.
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Wines from Indian Wines
7
wines
in this collection
Grover Zampa Vineyards
Grover Zampa Chêne Grande Reserve Chardonnay | India
$51.00
Grover Zampa Vineyards
Grover Zampa Chêne Grande Reserve Red | India
$55.00
Grover Zampa Vineyards
Grover Zampa Vendanges Tardives Late Harvest Viognier | India | 2026
$55.00
Grover Zampa Vineyards
Grover Zampa Soirée Brut | India | 2025
$42.00
Grover Zampa Vineyards
Grover Zampa Art Collection Shiraz Rosé | Nandi Hills, India | 2026
$36.00
Grover Zampa Vineyards
Grover Zampa Art Collection Sauvignon Blanc | Nandi Hills, India | 2026
$24.00
Grover Zampa Vineyards
Grover Zampa Art Collection Merlot | Nandi Hills, India | 2026
$36.00Continue your journey
Discover Wines from India
Explore contemporary Indian wine from Nashik, Nandi Hills and beyond — from vibrant whites and sparkling wines to structured premium reds.
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