In Conversation with Karan Vasani Chief Winemaker, Sula Vineyards

MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION

Support System

I have dedicated over a decade to the wine industry, and it has been an incredible journey. My greatest source of support and inspiration has been my team at Sula.In the world of wine, a strong team is the key to success, as they make the work feel effortless!

Story behind the name and logo of the Sula Vineyards

The name “Sula” came from our founder Rajeev Samant’s mother’s name – “Sulabha” – and serves as a representation of the profound Indian heritage embedded in our wines.

Nashik is a perfect place for producing high quality grapes

With a rich history of grape cultivation, increasing demand for wine, Nashik has emerged as the country’s foremost grape and wine producing region, attracting wine enthusiasts and tourists alike.

Nashik is well-suited for growing grapes as it experiences a moderate and temperate climate with hot summers, a monsoon season and mild winters allowing grapes to ripen gradually enhancing their flavour and sugar content. The elevated altitude of Nashik results in cooler nights, a key factor in preserving the acidity and aromas of the grapes. Simultaneously, warm daytime temperatures ensure optimum ripeness of the grapes. These environmental conditions provide the perfect setting and terroir for cultivating premium wine grapes.

Memorable Memories about Nashik

One particularly vivid memory for me is the early days when we embarked on wine grape cultivation in Nashik

At that time, local farmers were initially hesitant as wine was an unfamiliar concept to them and they were reluctant to be associated with it. It took considerable effort to persuade them! Today, they are not only willing but are proud to grow grapes for Sula. They see that wine is different from other alcoholic beverages. We have come a long way from when we started, and I couldn’t be more proud of our journey with our key partners – the grape farmers.

Reason behind Success

My wife Mansee!

High and Low Moments

It has been a great journey of 10 years so far! Along the way there have been ups and downs. I’m grateful that the highs have been far more numerous as compared to the lows.

success mantra

My personal mantra for success is to maintain a positive attitude and to always look ahead, focus on the future and keep an even temperament.

Best Wines in India 2023

The Source and Rasa wines which are our flagships, are some of the best wines in India, specially the newly launched The Source Moscato – a sweet bubbly delight for all occasions!

Personal Favorite

My favourite wine at the moment is Rasa Syrah, a beautiful expression of the Syrah grape, both elegant and powerful and can age in bottles for 10 years and will only get better.

Future plans of Sula Vineyards

To make India drink more wine! At Sula, we have consistently led the way in innovation and introducing new wines to the Indian wine market. We are dedicated to continuing our journey of experimentation, exploring new opportunities, and consistently delivering high-quality Indian wines. We remain optimistic about the future of wine in India. Notably, we’ve seen growth in the higher-priced segment of our portfolio in recent years, reflecting an increasing recognition among consumers for the quality of Indian wines. While I cannot provide specific details, there will definitely be new and exciting things coming from the House of Sula in the future!

Interest in Wine

I have been a part of Sula for nearly 10 years now. Wine to me is much more than an alcoholic beverage. It encapsulates not just an entire growing season, but also the unique personalities of the individuals who craft it, the place it comes from and also the growing season.

Wine has become my lifelong passion, and I take immense pride in being a part of India’s largest wine company. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to craft wines that resonate with wine drinkers across the country and the world.

Technology Trends in Wine Industry

Technology is reshaping winemaking by enhancing precision and efficiency. Using sustainable practices like solar power, water harvesting promote eco-friendly winemaking. Sustainability is the core principle of our business. Today, Sula is one of the most sustainable wineries in the world with over 60% of its energy consumption from solar PV installation. Sula is proudly the first Asian winery to join the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), with the shared goal of net zero emissions by 2050. These innovations not only improve the quality of wine, promote sustainability but also increase efficiency in the industry. The wine market has experienced significant shifts in recent years with emerging trends driven by a growing tech-savvy consumer base. The world is now more digital. Within the digital realm, we take pride in our position of being one of the most followed wineries on Instagram.

WINE TOURISM

Wine tourism for us is a natural extension of our business and a gateway to introducing more and more Indians to the beautiful world of wines. No better place to experience the joy of wines than to visit the winery itself.

Sula has a pioneering contribution to the Indian wine industry by establishing the first ever Tasting Room in 2005. We proudly welcomed ~3.5 lakh visitors in FY23, which solidified Sula’s position as one of the world’s most visited vineyards. This surge shows the increasing popularity of wine tourism in India.

Our wine tourism operations recently achieved a record-breaking long weekend at our Nashik and Bengaluru wine tourism facilities as visitor attendance surged! Revenues over three days touched INR 2.08 crores, 40% higher than the previous three-day record of INR 1.47 crores.

Sula’s wine tourism business is an integral pillar of our business with thousands of potential wine drinkers tasting their first glass of wine at our Tasting Room. It is surely a gratifying feeling.

In addition to these accomplishments, we have also recently introduced new villas and lakeside view rooms at Beyond in Nashik. With a total inventory of 37 rooms at present, we look forward to giving our guests a truly unique experience.

Increased flights to Nashik and Shirdi airports, bring tourists from all across the country. Furthermore, the recently completed expressway to Mysuru has made our Domaine Sula winery easily accessible from Bengaluru. These infrastructure developments are significant contributors to the growth of wine tourism in our regions. It is definitely a very exciting time for Indian wines and wine tourism in the country! We are committed to making it even more vibrant and exceptional as we continue to push boundaries and elevate the wine experience for our visitors.

Exciting thing happening with Indian Wine Today

The Source range which we launched in 2017 with The Source Grenache Rose and now comprises six wines has been the most exciting new wine launch in India over the last five to ten years. This range gives wine lovers in the country a chance to taste new and different types of wines. We have received recognition on prestigious Indian and international platforms which is a testament to the hard work of our team. We are very proud that The Source Chenin Blanc Reserve from Sula’s flagship brand The Source secured India’s first ever Silver at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles this year. A prestigious platform attracts the finest global wines that are judged by experts from the industry. Among 7,500 wines tasted across 50 countries, we are immensely proud that The Source Chenin Blanc Reserve stood out for its quality!

Sula is proudly placing India on the global wine map and supporting the growth and development of the wine industry in India. The Indian wine industry has a bright future with the Sula sun shining bright!

Sula takes pride in representing India on the global wine stage while actively supporting the growth and development of the Indian wine industry. The Indian wine industry has a bright future with the Sula sun shining bright!

Wine Rapid Fire

● Who is Karan Vasani in the Wine Industry in one line?

Chief Winemaker at the Sula Vineyards!

● Is a biography to be written or a biopic to be made on Karan Vasani? What would be the title?

Pouring Passion!

● Three Wine Tasting Basics like a Sommelier?

1. Don’t judge a book by its cover

2. Wine should have a personality

3. Wine should bring a smile to people’s faces

● Other than this what career would you have loved to do?

If I had the gift for it, I would have loved to be a singer or anything on the creative side!

● Favourite Wine from Sula Vineyards and why?

Undoubtedly the Rasa Syrah at the moment!

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