Gallo To Focus On Wine Training In India

Achal Dhruva - Mumbai

Ernest and Julio Gallo has embarked upon a training programme for the food and beverage (F&B) staff of hotels, restaurants, retailers and consumers, flying down experts from abroad. As of now complete details on the training programmes - in terms of its frequency, modules and places where it will be held - is not yet decided. But the company officials expect the details to be finalised very soon.

The company, which has been named as Winery of the Year (2002) at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and a string of other awards to its credit, has made rapid inroads in the Indian market since its entry six months ago. The Californian company, which has launched five brands in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Calcutta, is planning to bring in a few more products in the near future.

“World wide there is a shift from spirits to wines. Currently 2,00,000 cases of wines are sold annually in India and the market will grow substantially in the next five to 10 years. There is a lot of interest in wines but awareness and education is lacking. Educating the entire chain will help the industry,” stated Rukin Luthra, country manager-India and Area countries, Ernest and Julio Gallo, at a wine tasting session held recently.

“We are focusing on both institutional and retail sales and Turning Leaf, a contemporary Californian wine is the most popular brand amongst the ones selling in the country,” claimed Luthra.

Ranging from Rs 750 to Rs 3,000, the five brands of Ernest and Julio Gallo-Sonama County with Cabernet Sauvignov (Red) and Chardonay (White); Wine Cellars with Cabernet Sauvignov (Red), Chardonay (White), White Zinsandel; Carlo Rossi, highest selling wine brand in the world and Andre, sparkling wine, are distributed by Radico Khaitan Ltd.