Everyone knows that the strawberries of Mahabaleshwar are famous all over the world. However, the strawberry wine Alurra, made from these very strawberries by Ratna and Dr. Ashit Bawdekar of Kaswand village in Mahabaleshwar taluka through rigorous experimentation, has recently received international recognition at a prestigious event held in Sydney, Australia, on July 28, 2025.
Ten premium wines from India were showcased at the Indian Wine Buyer-Seller Meet (IWBSM), organized in Sydney. Among them, Alurra was the only strawberry wine, and it was recognized as the representative not only of Satara district but also of Maharashtra.
The concept and production of this excellent wine have been thoughtfully conceived by Ratna and Dr. Ashit Bawdekar, who also own the prestigious strawberry firm Jella Valley. The couple has a unique approach to growing premium Italian and Floridian strawberries on their own farm. They are encouraged by local farmer groups and the Strawberry Growers Society of Bhilar. This innovation marks a new challenge and opportunity for budding farmers in the villages of Kaswand and Bhilar.
In line with their commitment to fostering an enthusiastic group of strawberry farmers, Ratna and Dr. Ashit have also begun developing and experimenting with various rare Mediterranean salads and exotic vegetables, in collaboration with their friend and colleague Priya Singh.
Having spent their early years in Bhilar, the couple continues to work closely with childhood friends Prakash Aba Bhilare and his son Ganesh Bhilare, who play a vital role in growing strawberries on their farm.
In an innovative effort that began in 2023, the team collected approximately 3.5 tonnes of strawberries from a neighbouring farm, which Sandesh Bhilare transported to Terroir Winery in Igatpuri. There, under the skilled craftsmanship of winemaker Abhijit Kabir—best known for his work at Indus Wines—these strawberries were transformed into Alurra at India’s only gravity-flow winery.
This full-bodied boutique wine is an example of traditional French winemaking, resulting in a light and balanced rosé. Classified as a boutique wine produced in small batches, Alurra is characterised by its sensitivity to the quality of seasonal fruit and its limited availability, making it a special offering rather than a mass-produced product.
Currently available in stores in Mumbai, Pune, Panchgani, and Mahabaleshwar, Alurra was selected and showcased as one of the ten premium Indian wines at the International Wine Fair. The fair was organised by Ashwin Rodrigues, President of the Wine Growers Association of India (WineGAI), in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in Sydney and with the support of APEDA, India’s agri-export body under the Ministry of Commerce.
According to Ashwin Rodrigues, the primary objective of this event is to showcase Indian wines on a global scale and to promote Indian agriculture as a viable source of farm-produced wines, thereby positioning India prominently on the international wine map.
