Sula Wine, Nashik, India: Best Bottles, Wine Styles, Terroir (2026)
Quick Answer: Sula Vineyards was the first winery established in Nashik, India, and is now the country's largest wine producer. It makes red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines across five distinct collections — from the everyday Sula Classics range ($9–$18) to the prestige Rasa Shiraz, Sula's top cuvée made only in standout vintages.
Sula Vineyards was the first winery established in the Nashik Valley of India, and today it's the country's largest wine producer — credit it with turning Nashik into India's de facto wine capital, now home to roughly 30 wineries. This guide covers Sula's wine collections, the best bottles to try in 2026, the Nashik terroir behind them, and how the winery built its reputation.
Further reading
- Here are 8 Fantastic Sula Sparkling Wines to Try in 2023.
- Explore the Verdant Italian Wine Region and it's spectactular wines.
- Also, discover some Classic Wine and Cheese Pairings to elevate your dining experience.
A Quick Introduction to Sula Wine
Sula Vineyards sits in Nashik, India's leading wine region, about 110 miles northeast of Mumbai. The winery produces red, white, and rosé wine in both still and sparkling forms. Its prestige cuvée is the Rasa Shiraz, made only in exceptional vintages, while its standout white is the Dindori Reserve Viognier. Beyond winemaking, Sula offers wine tourism at its Nashik estate and at Domaine Sula in Karnataka, including winery tours, tastings, and grape stomping.
The 5 Sula Wine Collections
Rasa
A trio of artisanal reds: Rasa Shiraz (95% Shiraz, 5% Viognier, aged 12–14 months in French oak), Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet, aged 14–16 months in French oak), and Rasa Zinfandel (100% Zinfandel, aged 4 months in French oak).
The Source
Vineyard-site-focused winemaking, including The Source Grenache Rosé (100% Grenache, modeled on Southern Rhône rosés), The Source Sauvignon Blanc Réserve, and The Source Cabernet Sauvignon — the latter two partially aged in French oak.
Dindori Reserve
Wines from the Dindori subdistrict of Nashik: Dindori Reserve Viognier (100% Viognier, textured), Dindori Reserve Chardonnay (100% Chardonnay, creamy texture), and Dindori Reserve Shiraz (85% Shiraz, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon) — the first Indian wine to appear in Wine Enthusiast's Top 100.
Kadu
Produced in partnership with the Sanctuary Nature Foundation in Karnataka, home to one of India's largest tiger populations: Kadu Chenin Blanc, Kadu Cabernet Shiraz (60% Cabernet, 40% Shiraz), and Kadu Shiraz Rosé.
Sula Classics
Sula's widest range, including a series of sparklers (Brut Tropicale, Brut, Sparkling Shiraz, Seco, Seco Rosé) and over a dozen still wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Zinfandel, Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, Shiraz Cabernet, and the Satori blend of Tempranillo and Zinfandel). Sula also distributes imported wines under its Sula Selections label and produces India's first canned wine line, Dia.
10 Sula Wines Worth Trying in 2026
| Bottle | Price |
Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sula Vineyards Shiraz | $15–$18 |
Full-bodied with ripe, rounded tannins; dark cherry, mocha, and a hint of pepper |
| Sula Vineyards Riesling | $12–$15 |
Honey, melon, white peach aromas with grapefruit and nectarine on the palate |
| Sula Vineyards Zinfandel | $20–$26 |
Youthful and fruit-driven, red berries and cinnamon with ripe cherry flavor |
| Sula Dindori Reserve Shiraz | $20–$25 |
Dark cherry, sweet spice, vanilla; silky tannins over rich dark fruit and cedar |
| Sula Chenin Blanc | $13–$16 |
Dry, light-to-medium body; lemon, grapefruit, green apple, and bitter herbs |
| Sula Rasa Shiraz | $22–$28 |
Full-bodied and smooth; red berries, mocha, spice, and vanilla on the finish |
| Sula Brut Tropicale (sparkling) | $18–$22 | Passion fruit, peach, and rose petal aromas with red berry fruit |
| Sula Sauvignon Blanc | $14–$17 |
Crisp and dry; passion fruit and grapefruit with bell pepper and lemon zest |
| The Source Cabernet Sauvignon | $14–$18 | Elegant, refreshing acidity; cherry, blackberry, and plum |
| Late Harvest Chenin Blanc | $17–$20 |
Dessert wine with quince and pear aromas, bright tropical fruit on the palate |
Food Pairings, Serving, and Storage
Sula wines pair well across cuisines — spicy Indian dishes, herb-forward Italian cooking, barbecued meats, and salads all work. Recommended storage temperatures:
| Style |
Storage Temperature |
|---|---|
| Red wines | 53–66°F (12–19°C) |
| White wines | 46–53°F (8–12°C) |
| Sparkling wines | 41–46°F (5–8°C) |
Most Sula wines are made to be enjoyed young rather than cellared long-term. The Rasa Shiraz is the notable exception, showing genuine aging potential among Sula's lineup, with red wines generally able to develop for up to about five years.
A Brief History of Sula
Rajeev Samant, a Stanford graduate who had been working at Oracle in California, first conceived of a Nashik vineyard during a visit to his family's fruit farms in 1994. He spent time at a small California winery under mentor Kerry Damskey before founding Sula Vineyards in 1999, naming it after his mother, Sulabha. Sula was the first winery to produce Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc in India, and it has since expanded its plantings to include Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Viognier. Today it's one of India's most awarded wine producers, regularly recognized at the India Wine Awards and Decanter World Wine Awards.
The Terroir of Nashik
Nashik, sometimes called "India's Napa Valley," sits about 600m above sea level and supplies an estimated 80% of India's wine grapes. Its volcanic terroir ranges from basalt to heavy clay to red laterite, with vineyards near hills and rivers each carrying distinct microclimates. Sula farms over 1,200 hectares of estate and contracted vineyards across the valley, with the Dindori subdistrict particularly well-suited to red wine grapes. Sustainability runs through the operation — solar panels supply over half of Sula's energy needs, and the winery harvests the majority of its water during the monsoon season.
The Bottom Line
Sula offers genuinely distinctive, well-made wine from a region most collectors have never explored — a worthwhile addition to any tasting lineup looking to step outside traditional wine countries.
And if a Sula glass gets you curious about wine as an investment, Vinovest can help you build a portfolio of authenticated, rare bottles from established regions around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sula Vineyards known for?
Sula is India's largest and most awarded wine producer, credited with establishing Nashik as India's premier wine region and introducing grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Zinfandel to Indian winemaking.
What is Sula's best wine?
The Rasa Shiraz is widely considered Sula's flagship, made only in strong vintages and showing the most aging potential in the lineup. The Dindori Reserve Shiraz is also a standout, having been the first Indian wine featured in Wine Enthusiast's Top 100.
Where is Sula Vineyards located?
Sula's main estate is in Nashik, Maharashtra, about 110 miles northeast of Mumbai. It also operates Domaine Sula, a second estate in Karnataka.
Does Sula wine age well?
Most Sula wines, particularly whites and rosés, are made for drinking within a year or two. The Rasa Shiraz is the exception, with genuine aging potential up to about five years.
What food pairs well with Sula wine?
Sula wines pair well with spicy Indian cuisine, herb-driven Italian dishes, barbecued meats, and salads — a versatile range that suits the winery's diverse style lineup.
Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by the Vinovest Editorial Team | Pricing sourced from Wine-Searcher US retail listings and Sula Vineyards. Figures are approximate and vary by vintage and retailer.
