The Winery Oakwood Vineyards of Nashik

Discovering the wine region of Nashik

Nashik is India's most prolific wine-producing area, located some 135 kilomteters (85 miles) North-east of Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra. The wine industry here has been growing steadily since the mid-1990s, and now there are around 40 vineyards spread throughout the area. tropical white wines and fruit-driven red wines are made here. Grape varieties used include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.

Vineyards are situated in the land around the city of Nashik, from the town of Dindori in the north to Sanjegaon 50km (30 miles) to the South. The hilly terrain peppered with lakes and rivers provides a multitude of well-drained, sun-drenched sites for grape-growing. Nashik is affected by the South Asian Monsoon, a weather system which brings cool, moist air from the Indian Ocean. This collides with hot, Dry air from the Thar Desert in the north of India.

Heavy rain occurs between June and September. This corresponds with important stages of the northern hemisphere's growing season. Careful measures must be taken by Nashik's vignerons to ensure that budburst is delayed until after the monsoon is finished. Fortunately, Nashik's tropical latitude means there is little seasonal variation in temperatures.