Dehradun: With the global popularity of wine tourism on the rise, Uttarakhand is aiming to become a prominent player in this growing sector. By merging tourism with the newly grown charm of wine culture, the state is making significant efforts to attract both domestic and international tourists to enjoy its natural beauty and taste of wine prepared from fruits grown in the state.
For this, the Uttarakhand government has launched its first wine production facility in Kotdwar and this unit has already produced 1,000 cases of wine.
Cultivation of hill fruits will be promoted
The scheme encourages the establishment of small and medium wine production units in various hilly areas, thereby increasing employment and business opportunities for local people. Additionally, the cultivation of hill fruits will be promoted, ensuring farmers receive fair prices for their produce. This marks a significant milestone in promoting wine tourism under the new excise policy. The facility has already produced 1,000 cases of wine, with plans to start wine production in Bageshwar and Champawat as well. The Excise Department is working on increasing wine production using local fruits.
Guesthouses near wine production units
To enhance the tourism experience, the state is building guesthouses near the wine production units. These guesthouses offer visitors a chance to relax and enjoy the scenic landscapes. The government’s excise policy aims to balance boosting state revenue and creating local employment. Promoting wine tourism is central to this vision, providing a sustainable path for economic and cultural development.
What wine tourism offers
Wine-loving tourists will have the opportunity to visit the wine production units, learn about the history and process of winemaking, and taste different types of wine. Guesthouses are developed around these units, offering visitors a complete wine tourism experience. Wine tourism is already popular in many countries.
Government’s vision for wine tourism
Prabhashankar Mishra, Deputy Excise Commissioner, stated, “The department is working to make Uttarakhand known for wine tourism in the coming years. This initiative will boost investment, employment, and tourism. The state has an abundance of fruits like Malta, apple, rhododendron flowers, pear, and galgal, which can be used to attract tourism through wine production.”
