India’s wine exports are gaining momentum beyond traditional grape varieties, as a small but growing group of fruit-based wineries finds niche demand in overseas markets amid slower growth in domestic consumption.
An analysis by Global Trade Research Initiative shows that Indian wine exports reached a record $6.7 million during the first seven months of the current financial year, more than doubling the value recorded in the same period last year.
While grape-based wines continue to dominate exports, led largely by Nashik-based Sula Vineyards, non-grape wines are steadily carving out space in international markets, according to industry executives.
On Friday, a shipment of 800 cases of a domestically produced wine branded Curry Favor departed Mumbai for the United States. Each case contains twelve 750 ml bottles, marking the first export of an Indian wine made from jamun, a seasonal fruit widely found across the country.
The wine is produced at Nashik’s Seven Peaks Winery and is set to be introduced at select restaurants in New York and New Jersey. Consultants involved in the project said export pricing had to remain competitive due to high import duties in the U.S., but the arrangement was commercially viable for both sides.
Indian wine labels are increasingly entering markets such as the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, China, France, and the United Kingdom. Export sales between April and October this financial year have already surpassed the $5.8 million recorded for the entire 2024–25 period.
Fruit-based wines are forming a broader export basket. Wines made from Kashmiri apples and Alphonso mangoes have reached overseas consumers in limited but notable volumes. Pune-based Rhythm Winery exports Alphonso mango wine to the UK, while L74 Craft Cider, made from Kashmiri apples, is available in select British markets.
Viticulturist Neeraj Agarwal, who played a key role in the jamun wine export initiative, said the category has room to grow. He noted that international tourists are increasingly open to new flavors and that demand for Indian wines has risen sharply in markets such as the UAE.
Agarwal was previously associated with Reserva Jamun, a domestic jamun wine brand launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, which gained regional popularity but struggled to achieve long-term scale in India.
Winemaking remains a relatively young industry in the country, having developed only over the past three decades. Although domestic wine consumption has expanded, much of the growth has been driven by imported labels. According to Euromonitor International, India’s wine market is estimated to have grown to ₹5,630 crore in 2025 from ₹4,770 crore in 2023.
Despite growing overseas interest, challenges persist for smaller producers. Entrepreneurs in regions such as the Northeast have attempted to export fruit-based and heritage wines with limited success.
Kiwi wine brand Naara Aaba from Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro Valley showcased its product in China and Greece and explored a potential airline partnership, but sustained exports did not materialize.
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