Rajeev Samant, the founder of Sula Vineyards, embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that drives many Indian businessmen. After a successful career in Silicon Valley, he made the bold decision to return to India and pursue his passion for winemaking. This decision marked the beginning of his remarkable journey.
Samant, born and raised in Mumbai, completed his education at Stanford University, earning degrees in Economics and Engineering Management. He then went on to work for Oracle Corp. in Silicon Valley, a testament to his technical prowess and ambition. However, his heart lay in India. In 1993, he returned to his homeland and started farming mangoes, roses, and table grapes on his family’s land in Nashik.
During this time, Samant realized that Nashik’s climate was ideal for growing wine grapes. Fueled by this revelation, he travelled back to California and sought the guidance of a renowned winemaker. The collaboration led to the establishment of Sula Vineyards in 1999, marking the beginning of Nashik’s foray into wine production.
Sula Vineyards has flourished under Samant’s leadership, becoming one of India’s largest wine producers. His vision and dedication have transformed the landscape of Indian winemaking, earning him the title of ‘India’s Wine King.’ As the company’s promoter, MD, and CEO, he has steered Sula Vineyards to a market capitalization of Rs 4309 crore as of June 18.
Beyond his business acumen, Samant is a committed environmentalist. He understands the importance of sustainable practices in winemaking and has incorporated them into Sula Vineyards’ operations. His journey from Silicon Valley engineer to India’s wine king is a testament to the power of passion, determination, and a belief in one’s vision.
