Wine & drink in India
Including Bangalore Craft Beer Quarter, Goa Feni and Spirits Coast, and Nandi Hills Wine Region. On the map.
The vibe
Drinking here ranges from chaotic beer bars tucked into neon alleyways to sprawling seaside lounges, feeling much more localized and unpredictable than predictable European taprooms. The balmy evenings between October and March are ideal for lingering outdoors with a chilled local brew or a spiced spirit. The scene spans casual neighborhood joints where everyone watches cricket to slightly polished rooftop spots, leaning mostly toward a DIY night out.
Bangalore Craft Beer Quarter
Karnataka
Yercaud-elango / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Widely celebrated as the pub and microbrewery capital of India, Bangalore boasts an innovative beer culture anchored by lively brewpubs serving experimental IPAs, stouts, and wheat beers. Travelers explore bustling neighborhoods like Indiranagar and Koramangala to sample the city's thriving micro-brewing scene.
Access. Easily navigated via auto-rickshaws, cabs, or walking within vibrant districts such as Indiranagar, Koramangala, and MG Road.
Notes. Pleasant weather year-round makes outdoor microbrewery hopping popular at any time.
Goa Feni and Spirits Coast
Goa
4-RAZOR 01 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Famed for its distinctive local craft spirits, Goa is the exclusive home of traditional cashew and coconut feni, alongside emerging craft gin and rum distilleries. Visitors tour rustic family-run pot stills and modern artisanal distilleries to discover coastal distilling traditions.
Access. Explored best by renting a scooter or car to reach rural distilleries across North and South Goa.
Notes. Distillery visits and feni-tasting sessions can be arranged directly with producers or via curated cultural trails.
Nandi Hills Wine Region
Karnataka
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Nestled in the picturesque highlands just north of Bengaluru, this burgeoning wine country is celebrated for its crisp whites and fruit-forward reds. Visitors enjoy boutique vineyard tours surrounded by rolling green hills and pleasant microclimates ideal for viticulture. It is a premier weekend escape for connoisseurs looking to explore the evolving terroir of southern India.
Access. Accessible via a scenic 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Bengaluru, with most estates offering structured tours and tastings by prior appointment.
Notes. Best visited between October and March when the weather is cool and the vines are lush.
Nashik Wine Region
Maharashtra
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Known as the Wine Capital of India, Nashik features sprawling vineyards across the Godavari river basin producing award-winning reds, whites, and sparkling wines. Visitors experience modern tasting rooms, vineyard tours, and annual grape-harvest festivals in the rolling hills of Maharashtra.
Access. Accessible by road or train from Mumbai or Pune, with most estates clustered around Dindori and Gangapur dam areas outside Nashik city.
Notes. Best visited between November and March during the harvest season; advance booking is recommended for premium estate tastings.
Pune Craft Beer Quarter
Maharashtra
Shree9405 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Pune boasts a vibrant and youthful craft brewing culture centered around lively neighborhoods like Koregaon Park and Kalyani Nagar. Beer lovers frequent innovative local taprooms offering diverse experimental brews and lively social tasting atmospheres.
Access. Centrally located and easily accessible by local taxis and auto-rickshaws within Pune's primary dining districts.
South Sikkim Highland Brew Trail
Sikkim
Karthikeyan.pandian / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
High in the Eastern Himalayas, South Sikkim offers a fascinating tasting journey centered around indigenous fermented beverages and high-altitude beverage culture. Visitors can sample traditional millet beers like chhang and locally produced fruit wines while exploring misty organic slopes. The area provides an authentic immersion into Himalayan drinking traditions.
Access. Reached via a winding scenic drive from Bagdogra airport or Gangtok up into the southern hills.
Notes. Traditional brews are often seasonal and deeply tied to local cultural festivals.