While Italy has a tradition of wine making and there are wineries with a history of over 600 years, India has a short history of merely 25 years (of continuous wine making) and therefore this milestone is equally important for both.
Sulafest
Trust Rajeev Samant, founding CEO of Sula to market his products!. A firm believer in the youth taking to wine, he kicks off the celebrations with a one day wine, music and dance event at the estate vineyards which will attract youth from Mumbai and perhaps Pune and Nashik.
‘We are planning a day-long concert at the beautiful open-air, Greek-style amphitheater, set in the middle of Sula's own estate vineyards. We are expecting more than twice the number of people that came last year," he says.
‘We have lined up bands like Sridhar & Thayil, Shaair and Func, Jalebee Cartel and Agnee who performed last year too’, he informs delWine. Besides there will be Salsa dancers, YMCA act & Fire Spinners. Everyone is invited to watch performances of various artists but needs VIP passes for unlimited barbeque and kebabs and several other goodies.
As apart of the celebrations, he plans to have a DJ festival, a tie-up with Blue Frog to get their artists to perform at the winery and possibly an Indian classical music concert.
Gaja Tasting
Gaja has opted for an international platform to celebrate the founding of the family cellars in Barbaresco in 1859. At a special tasting in Vinitaly on April 4 at 10:30 at the 43rd edition of Vinitaly to be conducted by Jancis Robinson, the leading wine expert and a famous writer, journalist and TV presenter. Gaia&Rey 1994, Darmagi 1997, Conteisa 1996, Sperss 1989, Sorì San Lorenzo 1988 and Barbaresco 1964 will be offered.
The cost of the tasting has been set at € 150 and the proceeds will go to charity. Vinitaly is being held from 2-6 April in Verona, like every year.
Sula and Gaja connection
What is the Sula and connection you may ask? Well, one of the defining moments in Sula’s path to the moon was in 2002 when Rajeev landed up in Tokyo with a couple of bottles of his Sauvignon Blanc which he convinced Angelo Gaja, owner of Gaja to taste. Not only did Angelo like the wine, he placed a trial order followed by a regular order. In an exclusive interview with delWine he had agreed that this was a unique falvoured wines, unlike Sancerre or Marlborough. This became a big selling point for Sula wines. Being the only quaffable Sauvignon Blanc at that time, it helped boost the sale and fortune of Sula.
Happy 10th Sula! And an equal happy 150th Gaja!! Happy Tastings. |