Shaw Wallace To Focus On Wines

The company proposes to launch new wine brands by getting into the semi-premium category with imported dry white and dry red wines.

On the cards are immediate plans of setting up a state-of-the-art winery at Bangalore with a foreign collaborator, which will have an initial grape crushing capacity of 2,500 tonne per annum expandable to 5,000 tonne.

This will ensure production of port wine from the locally grown grapes called 'Bangalore Blue' for the first three years and bottling of imported bulk wine varieties.

According to a company release, this is in tune with the last year's decision to consolidate the core competencies -- alcoholic beverages.

 

The new division will be headed by Philip Sargunar who is also Shaw Wallace executive vice-president.

The company has been in the wines business since 1967 with two wineries, one in Hyderabad and another one in Bangalore, the prime grape producing regions in the country.

"We expect to launch the brands by November this year and catch up with the festive season of X'mas and New Year. SWC will use its liquor and beer distribution channels for the distribution of wines" said a company spokesperson.

SWC also proposes to scout for possibilities of its Indian origin label brands to be served in the Indian restaurants in Europe and North America.

"With our decision to have a joint venture modern winery with a chateau surrounded by vineyard close to Bangalore, SWC has identified the Kaveri River Valley and Nandi Hill Valley in Karnataka for developing vineyards from rootstocklings to be imported from France and California. SWC will host its products in the new world wine category and play a major role in establishing India in the world wine producers map to be linked along with California, Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Chile", said the spokesperson.

SWC will leverage its three decades of relationship with farmers because of its presence in the agrichem business practically on one-to-one basis.

While setting up the modern winery in Bangalore, the company also plans to have a model farm and R&D facility.

It plans to develop the concept of wine tours for giving an exposure as well as training to visitors on wine appreciation.