Sula Wine, Nashik, India: 10 Best Bottles, Wine Styles, Terroir

Sula Vineyards was the first winery to be established in the Nashik Valley of India. Today, it’s the largest wine producer in India.

It spearheaded Nashik’s transformation into India’s wine capital. Interestingly, there are now 29 wineries in this region. 

What’s the story behind the winery?

What Sula wine styles should you try in 2023?

This article will explore all you need to know about Sula wine, including its terroir and 10 stunning bottles to try.

A Quick Intro to Sula Wine 

Sula Vineyards is located in Nashik, the wine capital of India, 180 km northeast of Mumbai. 

Sula makes many styles of wines — red, white, and rosé, in both still and sparkling forms. 

Sula’s prestige cuvée is the Rasa Shiraz, a red wine only made in the best vintages, and its top white wine is the Reserve Viognier from the Dindori estate. 

Apart from producing an eclectic selection of wines, Sula also offers wine tourism at their Nashik estate and Domaine Sula in Karnataka. 

Besides, you can enjoy guest activities like winery tours, tasting room visits for a wine tasting session, and even grape stomping at Sula Vineyards.

Now, let’s see what wine styles are available from Sula wines.

The 5 Sula Wine Collections 

The climate of Nashik Valley allows the cultivation of many different grape varietals.

Let’s look at the different styles of Sula wines:

• Rasa
• The Source
• Dindori Reserve
• Kadu
• Sula Classics

1. Rasa

The Rasa collection offers a trio of artisanal red wines, including Sula’s signature red wine, the Rasa Syrah. This wine is typically 95% Syrah with 5% Viognier aged 12-14 months in French oak. 

Also, in this collection: 

• Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 14-16 months in French oak
• Rasa Zinfandel: 100% Zinfandel aged 4 months in French oak

2. The Source

Winemaking for ‘The Source’ collection focuses on vineyard sites. TheSource Grenache Rosé is 100% Grenache and is modeled after the Southern Rhône Rosés of France. 

This collection also includes these wines, which are partially aged in French oak:

• The Source Sauvignon Blanc Réserve: 100% Sauvignon Blanc 
• The Source Cabernet Sauvignon: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

3. Dindori Reserve

The wines in the Dindori collection come from grapes grown in the picturesque Dindori subdistrict in Nashik:

• Dindori Reserve Viognier: 100% Viognier with textured intensity
• Dindori Reserve Chardonnay: 100% Chardonnay with a creamy texture
• Dindori Reserve Shiraz: 85% Shiraz, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

4. Kadu

Sula partnered with the Sanctuary Nature Foundation, a non-profit organization, to support conservationists across India. Kadu wines are produced in Karnataka, where one of the largest tiger populations exists. 

Think of beautiful tigers when you enjoy these wines:  

• Kadu Chenin Blanc:  100% Chenin Blanc
• Kadu Cabernet Shiraz: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Shiraz
• Kadu Shiraz Rosé: 100% Shiraz

5. Sula Classics

Sula is an innovator in India’s wine revolution, constantly exploring and expanding its offerings to meet variety in wine consumption preferences. 

Sula Classics is a diverse collection designed to delight consumers.

Here’s a series of sparklers:

• Brut Tropicale: a blend of Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, and Viognier grape varietals
• Brut: a blend of Chenin Blanc, Riesling, and Viognier wine grapes
• Sparkling Shiraz: Shiraz wine made with the Prosecco method
• Seco: a light, fruity wine of 100% Chenin Blanc
• Seco Rosé: a blend of Chenin Blanc and Shiraz grape varietals

Sula Classics includes these still wines:

• Zinfandel Rosé: a light and refreshing Zinfandel
• Sauvignon Blanc: 100% Sauvignon Blanc with a refreshing acidity
• Chenin Blanc: an off-dry white wine made of 100% Chenin Blanc
• Chenin Blanc Reserve: 100% Chenin Blanc partially aged in French oak
• Riesling: a Riesling in the off-dry Kabinett style
• Late Harvest Chenin Blanc:  a still dessert wine made of 100% Chenin Blanc
• Shiraz Cabernet: a red blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Zinfandel: 100% Zinfandel with partially aged in American oak barrels
• Satori: a red blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Zinfandel

Sula also offers a series of imported wines from different parts of the globe under their Sula Selections portfolio and canned wine in their Dia series. 

With so many options, which Sula wines should you try?

10 Sumptuous Bottles of Sula Wine to Discover

Here’s our pick of 10 premium wine bottles - perfect for any wine enthusiast curious to try Indian wines:

• 2020 Sula Vineyards Shiraz
• 2019 Sula Vineyards Riesling
• 2015 Sula Vineyards Zinfandel
• 2019 Sula Vineyards Dindori Reserve Shiraz
• 2016 Sula Vineyards Chenin Blanc
• 2021 Sula Vineyards Rasa Shiraz
• NV Sula Vineyards Brut Tropicale
• 2019 Sula Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
• 2021 Sula Vineyards The Source Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2022 Sula Vineyards Late Harvest Chenin Blanc

1. 2020 Sula Vineyards Shiraz, Nashik, India ($18)

The richly structured Shiraz is full-bodied with ripe, rounded tannins. It features aromas of red fruit with a soft palate saturated with dark cherry, mocha and hints of pepper.

2. 2019 Sula Vineyards Riesling, Nashik, India ($14)

This Riesling wine displays honey, melon, and white peach aromas, with grapefruit and nectarine flavors, ending on a soft floral finish.

3. 2015 Sula Vineyards Zinfandel, Nashik, India ($24)

This 2015 Zinfandel is youthful and fruit-driven. Experience notes of red berries, cinnamon, and spice on the nose, with a medium-bodied palate featuring the flavor of ripe cherries and spice.

4. 2019 Sula Vineyards Dindori Reserve Shiraz, Nashik, India ($23)

The 2018 Dindori Shiraz offers distinct aromas of dark cherry, sweet spice, and hints of vanilla. Silky tannins frame a full-bodied palate of rich, dark fruit, cedar, and clove.

5. 2016 Sula Vineyards Chenin Blanc, Nashik, India ($14)

This Chenin Blanc is a dry wine with a light to medium body and moderate acidity. Tasting notes include lemons, grapefruit, green apples, bitter herbs, and spices.

6. 2021 Sula Vineyards Rasa Shiraz, Nashik, India ($22)

Sula’s 2021 Rasa Shiraz is full-bodied, subtle, and smooth. The palate is rich with the flavor of red berries, finishing with notes of mocha, spices, and vanilla.

7. NV Sula Vineyards Brut Tropicale, Nashik, India ($20)

This non-vintage sparkler bursts with aromas of passion fruit, peach, and rose petals with an abundance of red berries on the palate.

8. 2019 Sula Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Nashik, India ($15)

This lovely Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and dry, unfurling with scents of passion fruit and grapefruit. Tasting notes include bell pepper, pineapple, and lemon zest on the palate.

9. 2022 Sula Vineyards The Source Cabernet Sauvignon, Nashik, India ($14)

The Sula Vineyards The Source Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant and luxuriant, displaying a refreshing acidity with cherry, blackberry, and plum flavors.

10. 2022 Sula Vineyards Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, Nashik, India ($18)

This delicious dessert wine offers aromas of quince and pear, leading to a bright, tropical fruit palate. Excellent for ending a fine meal or as an aperitif.

Sula Wine: Food Pairings, Serving Tips, & Storage

As for food pairing, you can match Sula wines with different dishes, whether it’s spicy Indian cuisine, herb-infused Italian recipes, barbecued meats, or even salads!

At Sula Vineyards itself, you could pop by its Little Italy eatery and enjoy its wines with a gourmet Italian meal. 

How should you store these drinks?

The ideal temperature to store Sula wine:

• Red wines: 53°F-66°F (12°C-19°C) 
• White wine: 46°F-53°F (8°C-12°C) 
• Sparkling wine: 41°F-46°F (5°C-8°C) 

And, do these delicious, approachable wines age well?

Sula wines are generally designed to be drunk young, not for long-term cellaring. However, the Rasa Shiraz, Sula’s prestigious cuvée red wine, has shown some remarkable aging potential.

Let’s look into a bit of Sula's background and terroir.

A Brief History of Sula Wine

Rajeev Samant first conceived the idea of a vineyard in 1994, when he visited his family’s fruit farms in Nashik. 

In 1999, he established Sula Vineyards, naming it after his mother, Sulabha. He also roped in the eminent California winemaker Kerry Damskey to launch Sula wines.

Sula Vineyards was the first winery to produce Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc white wines in India. It gradually increased its plantings to include other international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Viognier.

Today, Sula Vineyards is one of India’s most awarded wine producers and a dominant player in its wine industry. For instance, in 2019, its wines took home 13 awards at the Indian Wine Awards, with the 2019 Source Grenache Rosé awarded with ‘Best in Show.’

Next, let’s look at that all-important facet in winemaking — terroir.

The Terroir of Sula Vineyards 

Nashik is a region well-known for cultivating table grapes — almost 80% of Indian wine comes from this fertile area.

Today, it’s India’s premier wine-growing region, so much so that it’s sometimes called the Napa Valley of India.   

Situated 600m above sea level, Nashik’s volcanic terroir ranges from basalt, heavy clay to red laterite. Vineyards near hills and rivers have distinctly different microclimates, providing optimum growing conditions for premium wine grapes. 

Sula Vineyards farms over 1,200 hectares of estate and contracted vineyards in Nashik Valley. The Dindori subdistrict, in particular, is well-suited to the cultivation of red wine grapes. 

Besides Nashik, Sula expanded its winery to Karnataka and rebranded it as Domaine Sula. It’s the ideal grape-producing region for some of Sula’s best wines and a perfect picnic spot for tourists.

Sustainability is woven into Sula’s winemaking practices. Solar panels supply 60% of its energy and 90% of its water is harvested during the wet monsoon period.

Experience Nashik Valley Through Sula Wine 

Sula wines offer an array of flavors and styles to experience at an affordable price. 

Keen to add a wine that’s not from a traditional wine region to your wine-tasting event? 

A Sula Vineyard vintage is undoubtedly one that won’t go wrong! 

And while you sip your glass of Nashik Valley vintage, you can always hop onto Vinovest and pick up a couple of rare bottles to stash away for a special occasion. Vinovest offers an easy way to buy, store, and sell fine, rare wine from any part of the globe. 

And you can be certain that these are genuine bottles from reputable producers. That’s a win-win for any wine enthusiast!