Chateau Indage Winery, Pune

It was in 2012 that we first visited Chateau Indage in Narayangaon. There were some 5 of us and we were driven there in an Innova. It’s a small town on the Pune-Nashik Highway, some 85 km from Pune. It’s said to be on the banks of a river, Meena, and we did see a lot of small rivers on our way. Also, since it’s on the Western Ghats - the Sahyadris-the drive is very beautiful, thanks to the views, once you are out of the urban areas. Another spectacular bonus is that you will catch a glimpse of the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope.

It is reported that this winery was launched by a Mr. Shyamrao Chowgule in 1979.

After a couple of hours we were there. A nice session of wine tasting was followed by a delicious lunch.

They have a range of Chantilly wines including Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. For some hundred and fifty one Rupees you can taste six different varieties.

The bartenders explain about the wines as they serve you-how to pour different wines, the kind of glasses used and many other things. We ordered a bottle for lunch also and bought some(at a discount) to take home.

The food at their Ivy restaurant is fairly good, fresh and the hospitality is perfect.

As you can see the highway and the distant hills, the experience becomes very special. Where you park the car, outside the restaurant, there are two hawkers. One sells grapes or other locally grown seasonal fruit while the other sells a lot of health products made from natural produce. The restaurant is open on the sides and you can really enjoy the fine view.

Though there are vineyards, at the back, we never got to see them on any of our visits. We’ve been there at least twice but, looking for information about it now, I wonder if it’s still open.

Chateau Indage Estate-Narayangaon, Maharastra, was the first to produce champagne or sparkling wine in India, sold as Marquise de Pompadour. It is exported as Omar Khayyam. It is their flagship product. Apparently it is one of the largest vineyards in India, and has signed a MoU with an Australian University for a wine-making course. There are annual wine festivals and a thirty minute tour of the vineyards is said to be offered.

I do hope it has not closed down.

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