If you’ve been meaning to get into the growing wine community in the country, taste delicious wines, and learn a thing or two about quality wines, then here are a few Urbanaut approved wine communities in India you should be a part of.
From vineyard visits and festivals to exclusive wine tastings, India is dabbling in wine culture & community like never before.
“There may be only 10 Indian residents in India who have reached the top, Diploma, level of Wine & Spirit Education Trust courses, but early evening wine tastings have become a popular leisure activity. Devati Mallick, a young woman who organises them, assured me that when Indians travel, they tend to become interested in wines from the regions they explore.”
-Devati Mallick (Drink with D) for Financial Times, October 5 2024
Wine communities across the country are growing slowly and unlike many in the past, these are more accepting, less snobby, more laidback and overall, a great way to build community for people who love their wine.
Here are some of our favourite wine communities across India that are to watch out for.
Devati Mallick is a Sommelier, Wine Consultant, Educator, and independent wine writer and is the founder of Drink with D. She hosts immersive wine tastings, intimate wine parties, workshops and more and is an active part of the growing wine culture in India. She is also one part of the team behind Viva La Vino Wine Fest which successfully ran in 6 cities bringing the magic of wine to larger audiences.
Curated by Devati Mallick (Drink with D) and Gargi Kothari (Magic Cellars), the Viva La Vino Wine Fest travelled through 6 cities (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa, Delhi, Kolkata & Pune) highlighting the best in wine (both local & international), artisan cheese, chocolate, community, culture and the best vibes.
Based out of Bengaluru, Wine in Progress Bar is a snug, 12-seater wine bar overlooking the picturesque open courtyard at Courtyard. It breaks bougie barriers with friendly bartenders who pour premium wines by the glass and never talk down to you. Book a table for an easy, fun & casual wine tasting with great music & nibbles.
Magic Cellars was founded in 2016 by Gargi Kothari who has now been in the wine industry since 2013. Magic Cellars is a community of wine lovers where people come together to taste and learn about wine while having fun. Apart from running successful wine tastings in Mumbai, Delhi & Goa, she is also one part of the team behind Viva La Vino Wine Fest which successfully ran in 6 cities bringing the magic of wine to larger audiences.
Coming up with Magic Cellars: Wonders from Down Under on March 22nd in Mumbai.
Based in Bangalore, Wine in a Million is India's first fuss-free community that curates fun, laidback events like blind wine tastings, sip & paint evenings, and immersive wine evenings at one-of-a-kind locations that set them apart from other wine communities in India.
Marāi is a beautiful space nestled in Arpora that regularly hosts wine tastings & workshops for the growing wine community in Goa. A lot of them are led by their in-house wine expert Irene (Founder of Spill It Co) and include delicious small plates that make for the perfect way to meet other wine enthusiasts in the sunny state.
For curated recommendations on what to see, eat, do in 35+ cities, start exploring here.