Bengaluru: The third season of Viva La Vino, a wine festival focused on making wine tasting more approachable and social, is set to take place in Bengaluru on September 26. Founded by sommeliers Devati Mallick and Gargi Kothari, the festival aims to move away from the formal and technical image often associated with wine tastings and create a more relaxed experience for both newcomers and experienced wine enthusiasts.
The Bengaluru edition will be hosted at The Lalit Ashok Hotel, bringing together Indian wine brands, international producers and importers. Participating Indian labels include Fratelli Wines, Chenab AlcoBev and Grover Zampa, while the international selection will feature wines from France, Spain, Italy, South Africa and other major wine-producing regions. Visitors will have the opportunity to sample up to 100 wines across different stalls and place orders for their preferred selections.
Food pairings will form an important part of the festival experience, with artisanal cheeses from brands including The Cheese Collective, Melchior, Farmstead Bazpur, Meraki Cheese and Kase. Handcrafted chocolates from Pascati, Darkins and Noel will also be available to complement the wine selection.
The third edition of Viva La Vino is also expanding beyond Bengaluru, with events planned in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Goa and Pune in the coming months. One of the key attractions will be the Grand Cru Lounge, a limited-access space offering wines by the glass, an elevated dinner experience and after-hours access.
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Music will also feature prominently, with a Wine and Vinyl DJ session adding to the festival’s social atmosphere. Bengaluru-based acts Sunil Hubli and Arjun Hora are scheduled to play vinyl records during the event.
The festival will also spotlight emerging trends in the beverage industry, including natural wines, low-ABV drinks and zero-proof alternatives. Dry Drnks, an online marketplace specialising in zero-proof spirits, will participate in this year’s edition, reflecting growing interest in alcohol-free beverage options among Indian consumers.
According to the organisers, Viva La Vino attracts a mix of experienced wine drinkers and younger consumers who are increasingly interested in the stories, producers and experiences behind the wines they consume. The organisers expect around 300 to 350 guests for the Bengaluru edition while maintaining the festival’s positioning as a curated community gathering rather than a mass-market event.
The Viva La Vino Bengaluru festival will be held on September 26 from 6 pm at The Lalit Ashok, Kumarakrupa Road. Ticket prices start at ₹2,750. The festival combines wine tasting, food, music and emerging beverage trends to create a more accessible and experiential platform for India’s growing wine community.
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