Fratelli Wines: India's Indo-Italian Winemaking Partnership

Fratelli Wines was conceived in 2007 from a collaboration between three families united by a shared ambition to produce world-class wine in India. The Secci brothers, Alessio and Andrea, brought Italian winemaking experience; the Sekhri brothers, Kapil and Gaurav, provided entrepreneurial drive and knowledge of domestic markets from New Delhi; and the Mohite-Patil brothers, Ranjitsinh and Arjunsinh, contributed regional agricultural roots from Solapur. Tuscan viticulturist and oenologist Piero Masi joined as the seventh founding partner, overseeing all vineyard and cellar decisions from the first plantings in late 2007 through 2008. The name Fratelli, meaning 'brothers' in Italian, reflects this familial alliance. Co-founder Kapil Sekhri, widely regarded as the public face of the brand, passed away in October 2020 at age 45. Piero Masi passed away on April 19, 2022, after battling lung cancer; his son Giovanni Masi, a certified winemaker who had already worked several vintages in India alongside his father, has since taken over winemaking responsibilities.

• Secci brothers (Alessio and Andrea, Tuscany) contributed Italian winemaking tradition and technical standards as full founding partners
• Sekhri brothers (Kapil and Gaurav, New Delhi) provided business leadership, distribution networks, and domestic market expertise; Kapil passed away in October 2020
• Mohite-Patil brothers (Ranjitsinh and Arjunsinh, Solapur) delivered regional agricultural knowledge and local relationships essential to establishing the estate
• Piero Masi (Tuscany) was the seventh founding partner and chief winemaker from first plantings until his death in April 2022; son Giovanni Masi now leads winemaking

Fratelli's 240-acre owned estate lies across three vineyard plots in the rolling hills of the Solapur District of Maharashtra, situated on the right bank of the Nira River near Akluj. The vineyards sit at approximately 548 meters (1,797 feet) above sea level, and the location falls in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats coastal mountain range, which drastically reduces monsoon rainfall and makes drip irrigation essential. The diurnal temperature shift of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or more between daytime highs and cool nights supports gradual ripening and natural acid retention despite the low latitude of approximately 18 degrees north. Soils are described as nutrient-poor, mineral-rich, rocky, and sandy — qualities that Piero Masi noted reminded him of Chianti's terroir. After months of soil testing across India, Masi selected these grasslands in 2006. The largest single vineyard site stretches over 150 acres, and the estate's three plots include Motewadi and Garwar. Total farmed acreage, including contracted Fratelli Farmers, has since grown to over 1,100 acres.

• Estate vineyards at approximately 548 m (1,797 ft) elevation in Akluj, Solapur District, on the right bank of the Nira River
• Rain shadow location behind the Western Ghats drastically reduces monsoon rainfall compared to Nashik, requiring drip irrigation
• Diurnal temperature shift of 40°F or more preserves natural acidity despite the low 18-degree latitude
• Nutrient-poor, mineral-rich, alkaline sandy soils over mother rock — conditions Piero Masi likened to Chianti terroir

Fratelli cultivates 12 grape varieties entirely from vitis vinifera cuttings sourced from France and Italy. The five whites are Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muller Thurgau, and Gewurztraminer; the seven reds are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Marselan. Fratelli is the only producer in India to cultivate Piero Masi's personally selected Sangiovese clone. The flagship Sette is a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon aged 14 months in French oak, conceived as a 'Super Indian' in the style of a Super Tuscan. The MS range, with initials standing for both 'Master Selection' and the creators Masi and Spurrier, was crafted by Piero Masi and British wine expert Steven Spurrier and includes red, white (Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc blend), and rosé from Sangiovese. The Gran Cuvée Brut is a zero-dosage, méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine from 100% Chenin Blanc. The ultra-premium J'Noon collection, launched in 2018 with Jean-Charles Boisset, comprises a white (60% Chardonnay, 40% Sauvignon Blanc), a red (Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend with Marselan, Petit Verdot, and Sangiovese), and a sparkling JCB No.47 (100% Chardonnay), all made in strictly limited volumes.

• Sette (flagship red): Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon blend, 14 months in French oak; India's only producer of Piero Masi's personal Sangiovese clone
• Gran Cuvée Brut (sparkling): 100% Chenin Blanc, zero dosage, méthode traditionnelle; introduced by Piero Masi from Fratelli's earliest vintages
• MS (Master Selection) range: Created by Piero Masi and Steven Spurrier; red, white (Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc), and Sangiovese rosé
• J'Noon (luxury collection, 2018): Limited-edition red, white, and sparkling JCB No.47, crafted in collaboration with Jean-Charles Boisset of Boisset Collection

Fratelli's winemaking philosophy is grounded in vineyard primacy. Piero Masi attributed approximately 70% of wine quality to the vineyard and 30% to cellar skill. Vine cuttings were personally selected by Masi from France and Italy before the first plantings in late 2007 and 2008. All grapes for premium labels are hand-harvested and estate-grown. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks imported from Italy, at controlled temperatures of 28 to 30 degrees Celsius for reds. Premium wines undergo aging in French oak barrels, predominantly from coopers Saury and Radoux, with some American and Hungarian oak also used. Giovanni Masi, who assumed the winemaking role after his father's passing in 2022, has refined protocols to ensure clean wine enters barrel, spending an initial period in stainless steel before oak maturation. The 40,000-square-foot winery facility at Akluj houses state-of-the-art European equipment. Fratelli operates four wineries across Maharashtra and Karnataka, with a production capacity of approximately 4.7 million liters, and current output of around 500,000 cases annually.

• Vineyard-first philosophy: Piero Masi attributed 70% of wine quality to the estate; all 12 varieties are vitis vinifera from French and Italian cuttings selected by Masi
• Fermentation in stainless steel at 28 to 30 degrees Celsius; premium reds aged in French oak (Saury and Radoux coopers) with some American and Hungarian barrels
• Giovanni Masi, certified winemaker and son of Piero, assumed chief winemaking duties after April 2022 and continues his father's estate-focused approach
• Four wineries across Maharashtra and Karnataka; 40,000 sq ft Akluj facility; current production approximately 500,000 cases with a 4.7 million liter capacity

Fratelli has established itself as India's second-largest wine producer, behind market leader Sula Vineyards. The company claims approximately 30% domestic market share, with 70% of sales concentrated in premium labels sold through approximately 23,000 retail outlets across India. Since 2018 it has exported wines to over 10 countries, including France and the Netherlands, though exports account for less than 2% of total sales. The MS range, created in collaboration with the late British wine expert Steven Spurrier, and the J'Noon luxury collection with Jean-Charles Boisset have elevated the brand's international profile. In March 2024, Fratelli was acquired by Tinna Trade and subsequently listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange under the Fratelli Vineyards name. Plans include expanding production toward 1 million cases annually and constructing a 40-room wine resort at the Akluj estate to develop wine tourism.

• Second-largest Indian wine producer; approximately 30% domestic market share; 70% of sales from premium labels across 23,000 retail outlets
• Exports to over 10 countries since 2018, including France and the Netherlands, though exports remain under 2% of total sales
• Acquired by Tinna Trade in March 2024; listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange as Fratelli Vineyards
• MS range (with Steven Spurrier) and J'Noon luxury line (with Jean-Charles Boisset) anchor international credibility; Fratelli plans to expand to 1 million cases annually

Fratelli's Akluj estate is open to the public for stays and wine tastings, positioning itself as a destination for wine tourism accessible approximately three hours from Pune and six hours from Mumbai. The estate guesthouse offers rooms overlooking the vineyards. Visitors enjoy guided winery and cellar tours, vineyard walks across the three plots, and tasting sessions; the Sette Masterclass, available at extra cost, allows deeper exploration of the flagship wine. The Machan, a viewing platform atop a hillock, provides sunset views over the vineyards and serves as a dining venue. Activities include ATV rides, electric cycling through the vineyard, and jeep tours of the surrounding Maharashtrian countryside. Fratelli also employs over a thousand women from neighboring villages in vineyard operations, reflecting a commitment to community development in the Akluj region. Plans for a dedicated 40-room resort at the estate are in development, representing a planned investment of approximately Rs.550 to 600 million.

• Estate open to the public for guesthouse stays and tastings; approximately 3 hours from Pune, 6 hours from Mumbai
• Guided cellar and vineyard tours, Sette Masterclass, Machan dining platform with vineyard views, ATV and cycling activities
• Over a thousand women from neighboring villages employed in vineyard operations, supporting community development in Akluj
• Planned 40-room wine resort (agriturismo-style) representing a proposed investment of Rs.550 to 600 million to scale wine tourism operations