Rajeev Samant, known as the ‘Wine King of India,’ made a bold move from a high-paying job abroad to follow his entrepreneurial dreams, a decision that transformed his life and the Indian wine industry.
Born in Mumbai, Samant pursued higher education in the U.S., earning an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Stanford University. After graduating, he worked for major tech companies, including Oracle. However, in 1993, Samant chose to leave his lucrative career and return to India, driven by a desire to enter the agriculture sector.
Samant initially focused on cultivating mangoes, roses, and grapes on his family’s 20-acre farmland in Nashik. Recognizing the region’s potential for wine production, he shifted his focus to wine grapes. Samant’s dedication was evident when he mortgaged everything to fund his new venture, a decision that reflected his commitment and risk-taking spirit. “We had to mortgage everything. If the wine business didn’t work, we could lose all of the Rs 3 crore and some more. It was all or nothing,” Samant recalled in a Mint report.
He sought guidance from a renowned winemaker in California, who agreed to assist him in launching his winery. After a great deal of determination and effort, Rajeev Samant established Sula Vineyards in 1999, marking the first winery in Nashik. Today, Sula Vineyards stands as one of India’s largest wine producers, with a market capitalization of Rs 41.86 billion. Samant serves as the Managing Director, CEO, and promoter of the company.
Beyond his business success, Samant is passionate about environmental conservation. He is married to Margarita Andronova and they have a daughter. Rajeev Samant’s journey from a secure job abroad to revolutionizing India’s wine industry exemplifies the courage and vision needed to pursue entrepreneurial dreams.
