At Maharaja Drinks, we're raising a glass to six talented Indian women who are at the helm of some of the brands that we're delighted to stock within our emporium.
In an industry that has been male-dominated for decades, it can be hard to cut-through as a woman. But there are some women who are making waves in the drinks scene in India and beyond. And we're delighted to be part of their journey in expanding beyond borders and reaching drinks enthusiasts in the UK.
Meet the brands that are Led By Ladies...
RHYTHM WINERY - VIDITA MUNGI
Not only is Vidita one of the few women in the world of wine production, she's also turning tradition on its head by creating flavour-filled fruit wines at Rhythm Winery. From the tropical Alphonso Mango wine to the moreish Pineapple Wine and the fresh Strawberry Wine, Vidita's brand showcases not just India's winemaking capabilities but the array of exceptional fruit grown in India.
"With global food trends evolving, there’s definitely space for more people to explore new wine pairings beyond the conventional choices," says Vidita. "The idea of pairing fruit wines, particularly Alphonso wine, with the rich flavours of Indian cuisine in international markets like the UK is a strong strategy."
RAHASYA VODKA - VARNA BHAT
As one of a handful of female-founded spirits brands in India, Rahasya Vodka is a pan-Indian spirit with a distinctly desi taste.
Varna's journey began in a very different space - an eco-friendly fabric branding company and a creative house focused on marketing and events. But she spotted a gap in the market and decided to pivot. "I noticed that India lacked a signature drink that truly represented its rich heritage and contemporary spirit," says Varna. "This realisation inspired me to venture into the beverage industry"
TEA n TEAS - MUSKAN KHANNA
'Innovation' may not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking about tea, but Muskan Khanna is doing just that at Tea n Teas. Not only is the enterprise all-female, but Muskan has received a patent for her methodology used to develop the Nilgiri Bamboo tea.
The journey hasn't come without its challenges for Muskan, though.
"With tea manufacturing being a predominantly male-centric industry it was challenging for me to get a foot in the door," she shares. "For instance, initially no one took me seriously – like when a Plucker would come show me the harvested leaves at the end of day and I would reject them due to the lack of quality, they would ask me to call a male superior to recheck."
"However, over time things have changed, and the fact that we are an all women run establishment has also made a huge difference to the tea community around the area."
REVEILO WINES - KIRAN PATIL
For Kiran, who transformed her family's ancestral farm in Nashik into a winery with her husband Yatin, there have been challenges as a woman in the industry.
"Many deals and connections in the drinks business happen in male-heavy environments (bars, golf courses, whisky tastings, etc.). Sometimes, it can be a challenge to break into influential circles," she explains.
With state-of-the-art technology from Italy and grapes grown in India since the early 2000s, Reveilo Wines blend art and science to craft their wines. Our founders' personal favourite was the sweet dessert wine - one that rounds off many a meal these days.
MAKA ZAI RUM - KASTURI BANERJEE
From banker to bartender, Kasturi is the founder of Stilldistilling Spirits who produce Maka Zai Rum.
The brand's homegrown rums include the white rum, made with sugarcane harvested from the banks of the Panchganga River in Maharashtra, and a gold rum with cane spirit from Punjab.
GLENBURN TEAS - HUSNA-TARA PRAKASH
The Glenburn Tea estate has been under the watchful eye of the Prakash family for four generations, and is currently helmed by Husna-Tara. Not only do they produce world-class Darjeeling Teas, but they showcase exemplary support for women in the local area.
There are around 300 women working for Glenburn, between the tea estate and the hotel. They're all provided healthcare and crèche facilities, as well as access to scholarships and education support for their children via the Glenburn Estate Foundation.
"We have also prioritised the promotion and appointment of talented women into supervisory and management positions," adds Husna-Tara. "Jobs are guaranteed for life and then passed on to another member of the family, creating job security for their families and their daughters."
We are inspired by the work done by each of these pioneering ladies in the Indian drinks industry, and look forward to their continued success. Shop the full Led By Ladies Collection here.
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