Wine sales in Maha hit record 1.3cr litres in FY26

Nashik: Maharashtra recorded its highest-ever grape wine sales at 1.3crore litres in 2025-26 — registering a 6.6% growth over comapred to 1.2 crore litres in the previous fiscal.The surge underscores a steady upward trend, with sales nearly doubling from 59.2 lakh litres in 2015-16.

Stakeholders attribute this steady rise primarily to increasing consumption in the Mumbai–Pune–Nashik “golden triangle”, which together accounts for nearly 75% of state’s total wine sales.The All India Wine Producers Association (AIWPA) said that while other states have seen stagnation or decline in wine consumption, Maharashtra continues to lead the growth trend. AIWPA president Jagdish Holkar said changing consumption patterns, especially among younger consumers, are boosting demand.“Gen Z and the younger population are increasingly inclined towards low-alcohol beverages such as wine and moving away from stronger alcoholic drinks. This shift is playing a key role in boosting wine consumption across the state,” he said.Holkar also pointed out that improved infrastructure has supported this growth, especially in Nashik, often referred to as the wine capital of India. “Connectivity through the Samruddhi Expressway has given a major boost to wine tourism in Nashik, which in turn is increasing local consumption,” he said.

Nashik district alone accounts for around 80% of the country’s total wine production, making it a crucial hub for the industry. Maharashtra contributes nearly 35% of the total wine sales in the country. At the national level, the total wine sales are estimated at around 3.25 crore litres, including approximately 15% of imported wine. Of the total 95 wineries across India, nearly 70 are located in Maharashtra, with around 40 wineries operating in Nashik district.Apart from rising consumption, industry experts also credit state govt initiatives aimed at promoting grape processing and supporting farmers. These efforts have strengthened the wine production ecosystem and improved the availability of quality wines in the market.However, challenges persist for the industry. Holkar highlighted that high inter-state duties and varying tax structures continue to hinder the expansion of markets beyond state boundaries.“In some states, intra-state duties on wines from other regions go up to 100% of the maximum retail price, making it difficult for wineries to sell their products outside their home state,” he said.He added that the lack of a uniform taxation policy remains a key concern. “There is a need for a standardised tax structure to facilitate smoother trade and growth of the wine industry at the national level,” Holkar said.