Welcome to Narmada Winery
Three wineries—Grover Vineyards, Chateau Indage and, above all, Sula Vineyards—are said to have raised the profile of Indian wines, even attracting foreign connoisseurs. The production is still modest by Western standards, but oenophiles know that Nashik in Maharashtra is considered India’s Napa Valley.
And in the U.S., we have Narmada Winery. Though the 51-acre vineyard is in Rappahanock County, and the 13 varieties of wine produced here are Virginian, there’s a distinctly Indian twist. The immigrant owners, Pandit and Sudha Patil, have a slogan that reads: ‘Experience India, Taste Virginia.’ It’s very much a family business, even when it comes to naming the wines. Yash-Vir is named after their grandchildren, Premita after their daughter Prema, and Mom is, well, self-explanatory.
An additional Indian touch comes in the form of pairing with snacks like samosas and aloo tikki. One can rent the place for a party, or just spend a few pleasant hours on a wine tour. For 10 years, before the Patils decided to start their own winery, they’d supplied grapes to other local producers. And now, even yoga and Bollywood dance classes have been held there, bringing the taste of India to Narmada Winery in more than one way.Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
