Fratelli Wines: India's Premier Italian-Indian Joint Venture
Fratelli Wines represents a sophisticated Fratelli Wines represents a sophisticated Italian winemaking philosophy applied to India's emerging premium wine regions applied to India's emerging premium wine regions, achieving international acclaim through collaborative expertise between Italian enologist Piero Masi and established Indian wine families.
Fratelli Wines operates dual production facilities in Akluj (Maharashtra) and Nashik, marrying Italian winemaking heritage with Indian terroir through a joint venture between the Secci family (Italy), Sekhri family, and Barosi family (India). With 50–60% of production in the premium range and flagship wines like Sette commanding consistent critical acclaim, Fratelli demonstrates that world-class wine quality is achievable in the Deccan Plateau.
- Dual production bases in Akluj, Maharashtra and Nashik, leveraging distinct terroirs and altitudes within India's premier wine-growing regions
- Italian enologist Piero Masi directs collaborative winemaking, bringing 30+ years of international vineyard and cellar expertise
- Sette, the flagship premium blend, represents the pinnacle of the portfolio and has earned consistent awards at international wine competitions
- 50–60% of annual production falls within premium tiers (₹500–₹2,000+), substantially above the Indian market average
- JSM Reserve designation identifies limited-release, single-vineyard parcels selected for extended aging potential and complexity
- The Secci family's Italian wine heritage and Indian partners' local knowledge create a unique value proposition in South Asian viticulture
- Fratelli operates with sustainable farming practices adapted to monsoon-prone climate zones, emphasizing soil health and canopy management
Heritage & Joint Venture Structure
Fratelli Wines emerged from a visionary partnership uniting Italian wine tradition with Indian entrepreneurial vision. The Secci family brings multigenerational Italian winemaking pedigree, while the Sekhri and Barosi families contribute deep roots in Indian viticulture and market expertise. This tri-national collaboration, anchored by enologist Piero Masi's technical direction, created India's most credible premium wine producer outside of established Sula and Grover franchises.
- Secci family (Italy) provides Old World technical standards and quality benchmarks
- Sekhri and Barosi families (India) ensure regulatory compliance, local relationships, and market distribution
- Piero Masi's consultancy drives vintage-specific protocols and terroir expression
- Joint venture structure allows capital efficiency and risk-sharing across two continents
Geography & Dual Terroirs
Fratelli's Akluj vineyard in Maharashtra sits at 650–750 meters elevation on the Western Ghats' leeward plateau, enjoying cooler nights and moderate monsoon precipitation that concentrate flavors in red varieties. The Nashik facility, operating at 450–550 meters on the Deccan Plateau's volcanic soils, emphasizes white wine production and lighter reds suited to the region's warm days and cool evenings. This geographic duality allows Fratelli to craft complementary styles reflecting distinct soil mineralogy and diurnal temperature variation.
- Akluj: Higher elevation, laterite-rich soils, focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot blends
- Nashik: Volcanic basalt terroir, ideal for Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and rosé production
- Monsoon season (June–September) managed through canopy positioning and drainage optimization
- Both sites benefit from 2,000+ sunshine hours annually, rivaling Mediterranean climates
Key Grapes & Wine Styles
Fratelli prioritizes Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot for red production, with plantings reflecting Piero Masi's preference for low-yield, high-concentration viticulture. White varieties include Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, often vinified in stainless steel with partial malolactic fermentation to preserve acidity in warm climates. The winery's style philosophy emphasizes restraint and freshness—a departure from India's sometimes over-extracted, heavily oaked conventions—positioning Fratelli wines for serious food pairing and cellar aging.
- Sette (flagship): Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, 12–14 months oak
- JSM Reserve: Single-vineyard selections from Akluj's oldest vines, aged 18–24 months in French oak
- Chardonnay: Unoaked or subtle oak; emphasizes minerality and Deccan volcanic signature
- Shiraz: Modern, fruit-forward style; avoids jammy overripeness through careful harvest timing
Winemaking Philosophy & Quality Standards
Under Piero Masi's direction, Fratelli adopted Old World protocols unconventional in India: hand harvesting, sorting tables, malolactic fermentation in barrel, and extended élevage in French oak (Allier and Burgundy sources). The winery achieves 50–60% premium-range production by rigorously culling substandard fruit at harvest and vintage-to-vintage consistency through meticulous cellar records and sensory panel reviews. This commitment to quality—not volume—differentiates Fratelli from mass-market Indian producers.
- Hand-harvested fruit sorted through gravity-flow systems to minimize oxidation
- Malolactic fermentation managed in barrel for reds; sur-lies aging for white wines
- French oak sourcing from Allier, Vosges, and Burgundy for flavor complexity
- Vintage-specific protocols documented and reviewed by Piero Masi quarterly
Notable Wines & Awards
Sette, Fratelli's flagship blend, has earned consistent recognition at Decanter Asia Wine Awards and International Wine Challenge competitions, frequently scoring 90+ points and achieving Sommelier's Choice designations. JSM Reserve bottlings from exceptional vintages (notably 2015, 2016) command premium pricing (₹1,500–₹2,500 per bottle) and demonstrate genuine aging potential—a rarity in Indian wine. Fratelli's Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have similarly impressed blind tastings against international benchmarks, affirming the joint venture's technical credibility.
- Sette 2016: 92 points (Decanter); Sommelier's Choice at London International Wine Fair 2019
- JSM Reserve 2015: Consistent 91–93 point scores; recommended for 8–12 year cellaring
- Chardonnay 2018: Blind tasted favorably against Burgundy and California standards
- Portfolio consistently in top 3 Indian wines at major international competitions
Visiting & Wine Culture Integration
Both Fratelli facilities welcome serious wine enthusiasts and trade visitors by appointment, offering intimate tastings guided by winemakers and the consultant team. The Akluj vineyard combines hospitality infrastructure with working cellars, allowing visitors to observe vintage operations and understand monsoon-adaptation strategies firsthand. Fratelli participates actively in India Wine Academy curricula and WSET-certified education, positioning the brand as a quality ambassador for South Asian viticulture.
- Tastings available by appointment; group bookings accommodated at Akluj facility
- Educational partnerships with India Wine Academy and sommelier training programs
- Annual harvest events showcasing sorting, fermentation, and oak program philosophy
- Distribution in major metropolitan wine bars and premium restaurant networks across India
Fratelli reds (Sette, JSM Reserve) display structured tannins, dark cherry and plum fruit, subtle spice, and mineral undertones from volcanic soils—a profile closer to Bordeaux or Tuscan standards than jammy New World styles. Whites emphasize crisp acidity, stone fruit, and herbal salinity, with subtle oak integration rather than buttery dominance. The overall sensory signature reflects Piero Masi's preference for balance and food-compatibility over extraction or showiness.