JOIN USSecond edition of Mysuru Wine Festival kicks off
The second edition of ‘Wine Festival’ being organised by Karnataka Wine Board, received an encouraging response from wine lovers around the city.
The three day festival, which was inaugurated today by Revenue Minister V Srinivas Prasad, will be held till Sunday. Organisers are anticipating a better turn out at the festival this year, as compared to last year, despite an entrance fee for the festival.
The festival, which is being held at Oil Palm Project premises, on Bengaluru-Ooty Road will feature close to a 150 brands of wine, produced by 17 wineries from across the globe. Wineries from the State, such as Heritage Winery, Channapatna; Rico Winery, Bijapur; Elite Winery, Mudhol; La Terra Winery, Gowribidanur and others are participating.
Similarly, Sula Vineyards from Nasik, Maharashtra; Big Banyan Winery, Goa; Jacob’s Creek Wines from Australia and other vineyards from Spain, Italy, France and USA are among the participating wineries at the festival.
While the cost of Indian wines start at Rs 100 per bottle, price range of imported wines range from Rs 1,000 to 4,000. The festival which will be held from 10 am to 9 pm till Sunday, will also offer discount of 10 per cent for consumers.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, B Krishna, Managing Director of the Board said that wine sales of close to Rs five lakh was recorded at the venue, even before the official launch of the Festival. “The sales figures are expected to increase during the night, as the number of visitors will be more,” he said.
Noting that the first edition of the festival had attracted more than 25,000 people last year, he said that the second edition would attract more footfall. On charging entrance fees, he said that it was necessary to avoid miscreants at the festival. “Last year, gang of youth repeatedly frequented the festival, which was a cause of inconvenience for other visitors. Therefore, it was necessary to regulate entry to the festival,” he said.
During the festival, entertainment programmes are also scheduled at the venue. Singer Sunil Koshi will perform during three days of the festival in the evening. Apart from it, grape stomping has also been organised, as part of the festival.
Workshop held
Prior to the inauguration of the festival, a workshop was organised for farmers and horticulture students regarding the benefits of grape cultivation and wineries.
Chairman of the Board, Bakkappa Kote said that the workshop had highlighted several problems faced by farmers. Steps would be taken by the State to tackle the same, he said.
He added that similar festivals will be held in Belagavi in the first week and Bidar, during the last week of January. “The State currently has 16 wineries. Steps will be taken to open wineries in all districts of the State,” he added.
Protest
Members of All India Democratic Youth Organisation, All India Democratic Student’s Organisation and All India Mahila Sanskritik Sanghatan staged a demonstration
against the ‘Wine Festival’, during the day.
The protesters alleged that promoting such festivals would deteriorate the health of society and promote alcoholism among the youth.