Grover Zampa Vineyards

Grover Zampa's story begins in the early 1980s, when businessman Kanwal Grover, who built his fortune importing high-technology equipment from France, enlisted Georges Vesselle, Technical Director of Champagne Mumm, to help establish a quality wine venture in India. After eight years of experimenting with 34 grape varieties across ten locations in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, the results pointed clearly to Nandi Hills. The first vines were planted in 1988 and the first commercial wines released in 1992. Following Vesselle's retirement, Grover engaged celebrated Bordeaux oenologist Michel Rolland as consulting winemaker in 1995, and three years later, La Réserve, India's first cask-matured premium red, was released. In 2012, Grover Vineyards merged with Nashik-based Vallée de Vin (founded 2006 by Ravi Jain and Neeraj Deorah), creating Grover Zampa and combining Nandi Hills' cool-climate sophistication with Nashik's production base. A second expansion wave in 2019 added Charosa Winery, Four Seasons Wines, and Myra Vineyards, funded by Singapore-based VisVires Capital, firmly establishing Grover Zampa as India's second-largest wine producer.

• 1988: First vines planted at Doddaballapura, Nandi Hills, after 8 years of trials with 34 varieties in 10 locations; 1992: First commercial wines released; 1998: La Réserve, India's first cask-matured premium wine, launched
• Georges Vesselle, Technical Director of Champagne Mumm, guided early site selection and varietal trials; Michel Rolland joined as consulting winemaker in 1995 after Vesselle's retirement
• 2012: Merger with Vallée de Vin (founded 2006) creates dual-region powerhouse; 'Zampa' from Vallée de Vin becomes the company's new suffix
• 2019: Acquisition of Charosa Winery, Four Seasons Wines, and Myra Vineyards, backed by Ravi Viswanathan's VisVires Capital (Singapore); Grover Zampa becomes India's second-largest wine producer

Grover Zampa's dual-region model draws on two complementary terroirs. The Nandi Hills estate in Karnataka sits within a valley at 920-1,479 metres elevation, shielded by the surrounding hills from the harshest monsoon effects. The altitude creates meaningful diurnal temperature variation, slowing ripening and developing aromatic complexity in both reds and whites. Soils in the region are red laterite, offering good drainage while vines must root deeply in search of nutrients. In Nandi Hills, established varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Tempranillo, along with smaller trials of Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, and Georgian varieties. The Nashik estate in the Sahyadri Valley near Sanjegaon provides a contrasting profile: the 42-acre property sits at around 2,000 feet (approximately 610m), with well-drained red soils, approximately 690 millimetres of annual rainfall, and a microclimate that Grover Zampa's own viticulture team likens in character to the Loire Valley and Alsace. Harvest at both sites falls between January and March, following India's inverse growing season driven by the monsoon cycle.

• Nandi Hills (Karnataka): 920-1,479m elevation, red laterite soils, protected valley microclimate, 47km from Bangalore; key varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Tempranillo
• Nashik (Maharashtra): Sanjegaon estate, approximately 610m elevation, 42 acres owned, well-drained red soils, approximately 690mm annual rainfall, Godavari river flanks the vineyard
• Indian inverse growing season: vines grow through warm months, grapes harvested January-March; diurnal variation at Nandi Hills extends ripening and preserves natural acidity
• Grover Zampa uses subsurface irrigation and proprietary weather stations for data-driven water management; vines trained on medium-high cordon for improved sun exposure and aeration

Grover Zampa's portfolio is anchored by French and Spanish varieties best suited to both terroirs, with winemaking philosophy shaped by Michel Rolland's emphasis on balance and terroir expression over excessive extraction. La Réserve Red is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend from Nandi Hills, hand-picked from the winery's oldest vines and matured in new French oak barrels; it delivers dark berry fruit, chocolate, coffee, and vanilla with a long finish. La Réserve Blanc is produced from Viognier, fermented and aged on lees in French oak barrels for richness and texture. The Chêne Grand Reserve is a Tempranillo and Shiraz blend, aged a minimum of 15 months in French oak, representing Grover Zampa's pioneering work with Spanish varieties in India. The Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection Red blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Viognier, while the Collection White is 100 percent Viognier. The Art Collection tier covers approachable Cabernet-Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Viognier. The newest prestige release, Grover Essence De Cabernet Sauvignon, is an unfiltered single-vineyard wine fermented and matured in oak for over 36 months, launched in January 2025.

• La Réserve Red: Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from oldest Nandi Hills vines; French oak maturation; dark red/black fruits, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, long finish
• Chêne Grand Reserve: Tempranillo and Shiraz blend; minimum 15 months in French oak; represents India's pioneering cultivation of Tempranillo as a dominant variety
• Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection White: 100% Viognier, fresh and floral with white peach, honey, and apricot; Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Viognier blend
• Grover Essence De Cabernet Sauvignon (launched January 2025): unfiltered, single-vineyard Nandi Hills Cabernet; hand-bottled after 36+ months in oak; cocoa, dark fruits, violets

Grover Zampa produced approximately 220,000 cases annually as of 2018, making it the second-largest wine producer in India after Sula Vineyards. Grapes are hand-harvested and hand-sorted on sorting tables before destemming and light crushing. At the Nandi Hills facility, fruit is processed in a cooling room before entering temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, of which 106 are on site with capacity for up to 60 tonnes per tank. The winery also employs egg-shaped and reverse ovoid concrete containers for selected fermentations. Barrel aging takes place in an underground cellar holding 400 imported French oak barrels. La Réserve and Chêne Grand Reserve receive French oak maturation. The Art Collection tier is designed for earlier drinking, while reserve tiers undergo extended aging. Michel Rolland's consulting oversight and the team of local oenologists, led by French winemaker Mathias Pellisard, ensure consistency across both Nandi Hills and Nashik production. Grover Zampa sources grapes from its own estates as well as contracted farms under long-term agreements of 10-20 years, with dedicated vineyard supervisors at all sites.

• Approximately 220,000 cases produced annually (2018 data); second-largest Indian wine producer behind Sula Vineyards; exports to 18+ countries including USA, UK, Japan, and Australia
• Temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks (106 on site), egg-shaped and reverse ovoid concrete fermenters; underground barrel cellar with 400 imported French oak barrels
• Michel Rolland (Bordeaux) consulting winemaker since 1995; French winemaker Mathias Pellisard part of technical team; Karishma Grover (UC Davis, Cakebread Cellars) third-generation winemaker formerly led production
• Estate vineyards supplemented by contracted farms on 10-20 year leases; vineyard supervisors ensure compliance on all sites; subsurface irrigation and proprietary weather stations manage water use

Grover Zampa has built an unmatched record of international recognition for Indian wine. The turning point came in August 2005 when Steven Spurrier, Decanter magazine's celebrated wine expert, rated the La Réserve 2004 as the Best New World Red Wine at a tasting in Germany. By January 2025, the portfolio had accumulated 216 international awards for 18 wines since 2013, across 10 competitions on three continents, including the Decanter Asia Wine Awards, Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition, SAKURA Japan Women's Wine Awards, and Asia Wine Silk Route Awards. The Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection white has won Double Gold and Best of Show at the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America competition, and the 2017 vintage of that wine took Double Gold at the Sakura Awards. The La Réserve 2022 vintage won Best in Show at the India Wines and Spirits Awards. In 2017 Grover Zampa was named Winery of the Year by Sommelier India magazine, and in 2018 by the Asian Wine Review Hong Kong. La Réserve was also the first Indian wine placed on the list of a three Michelin-star restaurant, L'Arpège in Paris.

• La Réserve 2004 named Best New World Red Wine by Steven Spurrier of Decanter magazine at a tasting in Germany, August 2005; La Réserve 2022 won Best in Show at India Wines and Spirits Awards
• 216+ international awards for 18 wines since 2013 (as of January 2025); competitions include Decanter Asia Wine Awards, Hong Kong IWSC, SAKURA Japan, Asia Wine Silk Route Awards, and WSWA (USA)
• Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection White: Double Gold and Best of Show at WSWA; 2017 vintage Double Gold, Sakura Awards; Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection Red 2020: Silver, 90 points, 2024
• Named Winery of the Year by Sommelier India (2017) and Asian Wine Review Hong Kong (2018); La Réserve first Indian wine on the wine list of L'Arpège, Paris, a 3 Michelin-star restaurant

Grover Zampa operates visitor facilities at both its Nandi Hills and Nashik estates. The Nandi Hills estate in Doddaballapura, approximately 47 kilometres north of Bangalore, has been transformed from a modest winery garden into a full visitor centre comprising a tasting room named Cave De La Reserve, a bottle shop, and a restaurant with vineyard views. Tours last 3-4 hours and include a guided vineyard walk, cellar visit, barrel room exploration, and a sommelier-led tasting of 6 wines across four experience levels (Basic, Reserve, Luxury, and Signet). The estate is particularly noted for birdwatching, with Asian Paradise Flycatchers, Tawny Eagles, and other species visible from the vineyard. The Nashik estate near Sanjegaon in the Sahyadri Valley offers vineyard and winery tours with views over the surrounding hills. The best time to visit either estate is January to February, when vines are full of grapes, with harvest activity visible in March. Advance booking is recommended, and grape stomping can be arranged for groups at the Nashik property. Both sites host wine and food pairing experiences celebrating the combination of Indian cuisine and Grover Zampa wines.

• Nandi Hills estate: Doddaballapura, 47km from Bangalore; tasting room 'Cave De La Reserve'; vineyard tours, barrel room, 4 tasting packages (Basic, Reserve, Luxury, Signet); restaurant with vineyard views
• Nashik estate: Sanjegaon, Sahyadri Valley; vineyard and winery tours, Sahyadri hill views; grape stomping available for groups on prior request
• Best visit timing: January-February (vines full of grapes); March for harvest activity; advance booking recommended, especially on weekends
• Birdwatching highlight at Nandi Hills: Asian Paradise Flycatchers, Blue Capped Rock Thrush, Tawny Eagles, Bulbuls, and Puff-Throated Babblers visible from vineyard walks