With a PhD in horticultural science from Texas A&M University, Basavaraj Girennavar ought to be in a good position to assist Karnataka’s fledgling wine industry.  Yet as Chairman and MD of Rico Winery, he may well find that the wine industry, with all its complexities of production, competition and marketing, is a great deal less forgiving than many agricultural experiments. 

Rico Winery was founded in 2008 with vineyards and winery located on a site in northern Karnataka, 15 km north of Bjijapur.  They occupy ca. 80 ha with the usual varietal mix of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. 

The winery, laboratory and bottling plant is based around equipment imported from Italy and the stated production capacity is 400,000 litres.

The first Rico Winery vintage was 2010.

Winery Location

Tasting Notes