Wine producers in Maharashtra will soon get clearance to convert excess wine stock to grape-based spirit like brandy and cognac
Wine producers in Maharashtra will soon get clearance to convert excess wine stock to grape-based spirit like brandy and cognac
Wine producers in the country are all set to raise a toast to the excise department, for they will soon be able to convert their excessive wine stock into grape-based spirits such as brandy and cognac. 
Bottled up: Wine producers in a recent meeting appealed to the
government pointing that wine stocks were piling up, leaving no room for
new wines in the vineyards. More than 2.52 crore litres of wine is lying in
vineyards in the state, which has affected their business. File pics
The move, say producers, will serve the dual purpose of preventing the wastage of produce in an industry which is already going through a rough patch and letting consumers taste proper grape brandy instead of the molasses-based drink that is the norm in India.
Wine producers had, in a recent meeting, made an appeal to the government to this effect. They had pointed out that wine stocks were piling up, leaving no room for new wines in the vineyards. More than 2.52 crore litres of wine is lying in vineyards in the state, which has affected their business, they had contended.
"We had a meeting with excise officials and we were assured that soon all the wine manufacturing units will be able to convert excess stock into grape-based spirit. We are waiting for an official notification from the state government," said Jagdish Holkar, president, All India Wine Producers' Association (AIWPA) and chairman, Flamingo Wines Company Pvt Ltd.
Holkar said they were also assured that two distillation units will be set up for wine producers to convert wine into grape-based spirit. The units will be funded by the government.
"We will be grateful to the ministry if the proposal is passed. The government must realise that we have over 20 million litres of wine lying unbottled and unsold," he said.
Farmers' woes
Prashant Sankpal, managing director of Ritza Wines in Sangli, said more than 300 acres of land in the state, which was used for cultivation of grapes for breweries, is used for other purposes now. Farmers believe growing grapes for wines is no longer a profitable proposition.
Sankpal said that the AIWPA has also asked for a soft loan of Rs 45 crore and a subsidy for farmer and wineries to come out of the current financial crunch. "If the demands are not met soon, many wineries will have to shut down or they might shift to Madhya Pradesh for better business. Many wine producers have already done so," he said.
"Brandy has medicinal value and the brandy that is available in market is not grape-based, but is made from molasses. If the government permits us to convert the wine into grape-based brandy, even the end consumers will be able to make out the difference and know what they were missing out on," he added.
A senior official from the excise department confirmed that the department is positive about the proposal and would soon allow wine makers to covert their surplus stock into brandy. "Ministerial-level discussions are taking place on the issue. The revenue ministry is planning to give a green signal for this. All we are waiting for is an official notification from the state government," he said.
Wineries
Nashik: 33
Sangli: 30
Pune: 2
Buldana: 2
Raigad: 1
45,000 tonnes
The quantity of grapes produced in the state for making wine
R2.7 crore
Wine's yearly contribution to the state's excise coffers
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