Karnataka Wine Board shelves plans for wine parks

20-04-09 In its recent meeting, the Karnataka Grape and Wine Board (KGWB) has decided to shelve its erstwhile plans to develop two wine parks in the state. According to earlier plans, the board had proposed the development of two wine parks each, in the Krishna Valley (comprising wine-producing areas in Bijapur, Bagalkot and Belgaum) and the Nandi Valley (comprising Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban and Kolar). The board has indefinitely withheld plans to develop the wine parks. Instead, plans are now being initiated to develop a wine institute in Bijapur.
 

According to information from a KGWB member, the board has decided to stall wine park development after analysing the situation at wine parks in Maharashtra. “The state had developed two wine parks: Krishna Wine Park (Vinchur) and Godavari Wine Park (Palus). The parks were aimed at developing 20 wineries in the state. However, until now, the Vinchur wine park has only five wineries and the one in Palus has only thee wineries. KGWB does not want the same situation to be repeated in Karnataka. Hence, it has decided to cease the development,” the source states.
 

About 140 acres of land at Bijapur had been approved for the wine park. The wine board now plans to develop a wine institute in about 20 to 25 acres of the same. It is considering a collaboration with an international wine institute from Australia or California. The institute will house laboratory facilities for wine analysis. It aims to begin operations with short term courses for viticulture practices (ranging from three weeks to a month). The institute will also have a nursery with a collection of different grape varietals. The project report reflects an investment of Rs 4.5 Crore. The board is yet to decide on the development’s funding process and finalise the course offerings and other facilities provided by the institute. “Since the plans have just been approved, project details are yet to be finalised and it will be difficult to state by when the institute will be ready,” the source adds.

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