Sula Vineyards Limited has announced the appointment of Chaitanya Rathi as an Additional Non-Executive Non-Independent Director, effective August 6, 2026. The appointment marks Rathi’s return to the company after more than a decade of leadership association with India’s leading wine producer and wine tourism operator.
Rathi previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Sula Vineyards from 2019 to 2023, where he oversaw multiple business functions and led a team of more than 400 employees. During this tenure, he played a significant role in strengthening the company’s operations and was closely involved in Sula Vineyards’ successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2022. His earlier association with Sula began in 2006, and during his first tenure from 2006 to 2013, he was instrumental in building and scaling the company’s wine tourism and hospitality business, which has since grown into one of India’s largest wine tourism platforms, attracting more than 400,000 visitors annually.
Commenting on the appointment, Rajeev Samant, CEO of Sula Vineyards, said that Rathi has been an important part of Sula’s journey and brings a deep understanding of the company’s business, culture and long-term growth ambitions. Samant added that Rathi’s entrepreneurial mindset and broad operating experience would provide valuable strategic perspective as Sula enters its next phase of expansion.
Speaking on his return to the company, Chaitanya Rathi said that Sula has been an important part of his professional journey and that he is delighted to rejoin the organisation in a board role. He noted that he looks forward to leveraging the experience gained from working with and investing in diverse consumer businesses to support Sula’s future growth and long-term value creation for stakeholders.
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Beyond Sula Vineyards, Rathi has held senior operating, investment and advisory roles across high-growth consumer businesses, alcobev, hospitality and entrepreneurial ventures. He is currently the Founder of Searchlight ETA, an Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) and Search Fund platform in India. With more than 20 years of experience spanning consumer businesses, investments, hospitality, alcobev and entrepreneurship, he brings a strong strategic and commercial perspective to Sula’s Board.
The appointment is expected to strengthen Sula Vineyards’ board leadership as the company focuses on expanding its core wine business, wine tourism and hospitality operations, while also exploring new growth opportunities and enhancing long-term stakeholder value in India’s evolving wine and premium beverage market.
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