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Even though the number of wine-producing units are less
here compared to Nashik having over 26 on the last count and increasing,
Pune produces nearly 9 million litres of wine every year and sells 7.2
million litres, while in Nashik, the production is around 4 million litres
and sales around 2.5 million litres according to figures quoted by Economic
Times.
The number of wineries is also increasing in the district.
At present, Pune has 12 wineries, with a total production capacity of
12.5 million litres per year. Two proposals for setting up wineries have
already been submitted to the government last year. The new proposals
are from Indapur and Ambegoan talukas.
'You got to remember that Chateau Indage the largest
producer of wine is located in the Pune district,' commented Ranjit Dhuru,
CEO of Chateau d'Ori on the rather unbelievable statistics, when contacted
by delWine. 'Also UB is located in Pune district. The question would not
be of Quantity but of Quality. I feel after the new large wineries in
Nasik are fully operational then the numbers would be more meaningful,'
he added.
Rajeev Samant, who practically brought Nashik on India's
wine map when he started making wine in his Sula Vineyards in late nineties,
was more guarded in his reaction. 'The production figures of Pune do sound
slightly high but one needs to talk about the quality and I do know Nashik
produces better quality wine.'
Concurs Parag Sarda, Director, India Food Products in
Mumbai. Having a winery in Nashik but no vineyards yet, he is neutral.
He agreed that Pune was bigger viticulture area because it included Narayangaon
where the biggest producer, Chateau Indage is located, and also included
Sangli and Baramati which meant higher quantity wines but opined that
wines in Nashik are generally of better quality.
UB's Vice President, Abhay Kewadkar was indifferent.
It does not matter who is producing what? ' Statistics don't interest
me. Surely, we will be in Pune district for the production purposes but
we shall always focus on producing quality wines at affordable price for
the consumer.' He says.
So, is Pune the Producer No.1 in India and Nashik the
leader in quality? Too early to comment- but so far as Maharashtra is
concerned-it's All in the Family. ..And the state continues to reward,
guard and protect them by charging a hefty150% excise duty on out-of-state
wines and 200% on the imported wines.
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