Wines from the cellars of KRSMA Estates, launched earlier this year, are receiving quite the recognition both internationally and in domestic markets. Owned by the Hyderabad-based Krishna Prasad and Uma Chigurupati, their tryst with wine is a pioneering tale.
Owners of `1,200 crore pharma giant, Granules India, Krishna and Uma are better known for their passion for innovations and for marathons. After the company started working like clockwork, they decided to dedicate time to running. The husband and wife hold a Guinness World Record for having participated in marathons across all seven continents.
Thus work and their love for the sport took them to places far and wide which let them explore their love of wine as well. “Every place we travelled, we savoured wine,” shares Uma, talking about how it all started. After a while, the couple weren’t just happy tasting the wine, so began visiting wineries.
“We met leading oenologists and viticulturists and gained invaluable nuggets on both winemaking and viticulture. We also managed to amass an enviable collection of wines,” says Krishna.
All these trips culminated in a zest to launch their own oenophilic venture, and thats how KRSMA Estates took shape.
“India is known as a wine producing region but is not appreciated for quality wines. With KRSMA, we aim to put India on the global wine map recognised for quality,” says Krishna.
The vineyard
In their search for the perfect location for a vineyard and winery, they say they even contemplated shifting to the south of France. Instead, they settled for a tiny vineyard nestled in the rocky terrains near the World Heritage Site at Hampi, which became the home for KRSMA wines.
“One look and we fell in love. Its rolling hills have iron-rich schist soils, the weather is dry with minimal rainfall, and the nights are cool, especially during ripening. The factors provide flavoursome grapes; the most essential component for making good wine,” says Uma.
The couple manage KRSMA as meticulously as one would handle a newborn, supervising every step including the harvesting time, the barrel and so on. However, Uma says, “At times, we do feel and wish we could devote more time towards wines and winemaking.”
When asked if it doesn’t become hectic to manage a major pharma business, practising for marathons, their family and now the wine business, Krishna says rather poetically, “Being critical decision makers, no task seems arduous but only more challenging and interesting than before.”
Quality first
KRSMA Estates have produced only 2,000 cases of wine as of now. Their prima focus, the couple says, is quality.
“As a brand, we aim to be boutique. Storage, handling and service are critical and keeping this in mind we will continue to remain available at premium outlets,” says Krishna.
The domestic wines in India, however, still lag in terms of sales due to perceptions like anything imported is superior to its Indian counterpart.
However, Uma notes that the consumption of domestic wines is increasing steadily. “A wine-lover knows the difference between a cheap imported wine against a domestic superior wine that is priced the same,” she adds.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are wines they launched earlier last month.
“Our focus in on the grape varietal and therefore our labels carry varietal names. These names cannot and are not patented by any winery/ estate in the world,” speaks Krishna about their nomenclature.
Their wine bottles are priced between `750 and `1,500 per bottle.