Nashik: Maharashtra has achieved a major milestone in the 2024-25 financial year, recording its highest-ever grape wine sales by crossing the 1 crore litre mark — a 14.2% jump compared to the previous year. According to the Maharashtra State Excise Department, wine sales in the state have doubled over the past decade, growing from 59.2 lakh litres in 2015-16 to 1.21 crore litres in 2024-25.
In 2023-24, the state sold around 1.06 crore litres of grape wine. The Mumbai-Thane region led the sales, accounting for 52% of the total, with 63 lakh litres sold. Breaking it down:
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Thane district sold 27.6 lakh litres,
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Mumbai suburbs sold 18 lakh litres,
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Mumbai city sold 6.36 lakh litres,
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Palghar sold 6 lakh litres,
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Raigad sold 5 lakh litres.
The Pune region ranked second with 24.4 lakh litres sold, followed by the Nashik region with 11.5 lakh litres.
Jagdish Holkar, president of the All-India Wine Producers’ Association (AIWPA), pointed out that while grape wine sales have generally been declining across the country, Maharashtra has bucked the trend with solid growth this year. “Thane, Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik have become strong markets for grape wine. Government initiatives supporting grape processing for farmers have also helped boost sales,” Holkar said. He added that Maharashtra now contributes about 33% of India’s total grape wine sales.
Across India, total grape wine sales (domestic and imported) stand at 3.2 crore litres, according to AIWPA. Of this, imported wines account for 45 lakh litres, or about 14.3% of the total.
Holkar also highlighted the challenges that wineries in other states face, mainly due to high taxes. “Intrastate duties can be as high as 100% of the maximum retail price, making it difficult for wineries to sell outside their home states. Each state has its own tax rules — VAT, sales tax, and excise duties — and a uniform tax structure is urgently needed to support the wine industry,” he emphasized.
Maharashtra remains the heart of India’s wine production, hosting 70 out of the country’s 95 wineries, with 40 located in Nashik alone. The state produces nearly 85% of India’s grape wine, and Nashik contributes 80% of that production.
Quick Stats: Maharashtra’s Grape Wine Sales Over the Years
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2024-25: 1.21 crore litres
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2023-24: 1.06 crore litres
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2022-23: 1 crore litres
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2021-22: 86.2 lakh litres
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2020-21: 70.8 lakh litres
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2019-20: 70.4 lakh litres
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2018-19: 73.9 lakh litres
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2017-18: 62.5 lakh litres
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2016-17: 64.7 lakh litres
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2015-16: 59.2 lakh litres
(Source: Maharashtra State Excise Department)
