Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa in Nashik launches India Wine Studio showcasing wine from about 35 vineyards

Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Nashik, celebrates local wines with the India Wine Studio, a curated cellar, and trails across India’s wine capital

Home to some of the best winemakers and vineyards in the country such as Sula, Chandon and York, Nashik is often referred to as India’s Napa Valley. A four-hour drive from Mumbai, Nashik’s landscape and climate (cooler nights) make it fertile for wine cultivation. The city has now inspired the creation of India Wine Studio. Located within the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Nashik, the studio is a curated collection of wine, bringing together over 90 varietals from nearly 35 renowned vineyards, predominantly from Nashik.

The wine studio was launched a few months ago at the culmination of a two-day trail across Nashik that pulled back the curtains on India’s burgeoning wine industry. According to Jatish Ghai, the hotel’s general manager, the studio is a way to spotlight the 40 vineyards across the city.

Though Sula is one of the pioneers of wine tourism, other vineyards in the city, such as Vallonné, Chandon, Soma and Grover Zampa, too offer tours and tasting sessions.

“There are more varieties of wine in India than one would expect,” Jatish says. From classic reds and white, to more unique dessert wines and rosés, the city has a wide variety of choices, given that they work with grape varieties such as chenin blanc, Shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc.

A testament to this is the guided wine-tasting event led by Sonal Holland, the first recipient of the Master of Wine title in India. On the menu are wines from seven brands — rosé from Chandon, Grillo from Reveilo, chardonnay from York H Block, Signet Shiraz (Amphora) from Grover Zampa, RĀSĀ Cabernet Sauvignon from Sula, Anokhee from Vallonné and Antaraa Cabernet Sauvignon from Good Earth.

The hotel also offers a wine trail across the city. “The wine trail is to let people experience the variety that the city has to offer,” says Jatish. The hotel offers a two-day wine trail experience, which includes a visit to two premium vineyards in the city, chosen by the guest. Those interested can book the package through the hotel’s website.  

As part of the experience, we get a closer look at two wineries — Vallonné and Chandon — where we learn about the winemaking process from berries to bottles and sampled the varieties on offer.