Umesh Hingorani is a serial entrepreneur with activities ranging from real estate to bottled water.  Now his family have added bottled sunshine to their portfolio with the establishment of a boutique-style wine operation located in the Nandi Hills, 80 km north of Bangalore. 

Two plots of land totalling some 20 ha were purchased in 2002 and 2003 with the intention of growing wine grapes.  Shaambhavi Hingorani (Umesh’s spouse) was involved in establishing the vineyards which first yielded a viable crop in 2006.  Fruit from these vineyards was sold to wineries in Maharashtra up until 2011.

Wine grape oversupply problems in 2010, and the consequent drop in prices to farmers, prompted the Hingoranis to establish their own winery.  Investment to establish the winery totalled Rs45 million (US$0.75 million).  The Italian Andrea Valentinuzz, who had previous Indian experience working with Vintage Wines, was hired to oversee vineyard and winery operations.  The SDU Winery’s first vintage was 2012 and they currently produce three varietal wines from Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah which are marketed under the brand name Deva.  A reserve range was scheduled for release in late 2013.

It has been reported that winery tours will be made available at some future date.

Winery Location

Tasting Notes