National Wine Day is celebrated across countries and the map of the world on May 25, annually. Wine grapes have been grown for almost 2000 years, which is a long time! This time-honoured practice has been given new life in the digital era. In the last decade, wine celebrations have entered the dynamic realm of social media, blossoming with hashtags and online festivals. May is a busy month for wine enthusiasts, but if you only have time to celebrate one national wine holiday, make it this one. Wine bars in India are fast emerging, demonstrating a rising taste for wine. They are adopting global trends by curating wine lists and hosting immersive experiences such as wine tastings and events, along with wine-based cocktails, sustainable processes, and novel serving techniques. There are also low-ABV wines that are all examples of the wine industry's evolution in India. So, on National Wine Day 2026, if you get to know that India has some rare experiences that you can book for yourself, the day just gets better, right?
Image Credit: Unsplash
Captain’s Cellar, Taj Palace, Delhi
Delhi now boasts what is perhaps India's largest wine bar. Captain's Cellar is a wine lover's dream, with over 160 wines, 44 of which are available by the glass. The bar is located in the Taj Palace, New Delhi, on Mansingh Road, which was recently repaired and remodelled. That’s not all, Captain’s Cellar's most unique feature is that they have wines on tap! Yes, the headliner is the Enomatic Wine Dispenser, which allows you to pour wine by the glass while keeping it fresh by substituting oxygen with argon, preventing the wine from oxidising. The technology enables visitors to sample up to 44 wines by the glass while keeping each pour at the optimal freshness and temperature! The gourmet menu, which includes typical Spanish tapas such as Patatas Bravas, Empanada with spinach and ricotta, and Croquetas, pairs perfectly with each bottle of wine, including sparklings, rosés, whites, and reds. For robust French reds from Bordeaux or Rhone, they serve delicious Camembert cooked in pastry, as well as Pulled Lamb, Mushrooms, and Chips in a white wine sauce.
Address: near Khan Market, South Block, Man Singh Road Area, New Delhi, Delhi 110011
Timing: 1 PM - 12:30 AM
Price: INR 3,000 - INR 5,000
Pousada By The Beach, Goa
With a mix of Konkan and Portuguese cuisine, Pousada By The Beach wins on flavour, charm, stunning views and ambience with locals and visitors alike. They serve seafood, sangrias, and cocktails, although the restaurant does provide a well-chosen selection of wines, sparkling alternatives, and refreshing beverages that complement Goa's seaside cuisine. Guests frequently match light white wines and sangrias with foods such as peri peri prawns, calamari, and prawn balchao, whilst richer reds go well with cafreal and xacuti-style meats. In contrast to traditional fine dining, the wine experience here is relaxed, tropical, and food-friendly. On National Wine Day 2026, away from the crowds of Goa, this is a fun place to enjoy wines, good food, and take pictures. If you are looking for a serene vacation with good seafood and a furry companion, this place is a must-visit.
Address: Holiday St, Calangute, Goa 403516
Timing: 11 AM - 9 PM
Price: INR 3,500 for two
Image Credit: Unsplash
Wine Studio, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru
At Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, this worldwide trip finds a quietly elegant halt with the introduction of The Wine Studio. Curated by CUR8, one of India's first dedicated wine studios, especially for individuals who want to make their discoveries slowly and thoughtfully. Guests may create their own cheese boards, look for rare vintages, and sample boutique Indian wines that represent the country's growing confidence as a wine producer. From a fresh Indian Chenin Blanc to a traditional Burgundy, the emphasis is on variety and curiosity. The adaptable space seamlessly transitions from private tastings and seminars to small groups, bringing a global element to Bengaluru's eating scene. The Grand Tour de France travels from Bordeaux to Burgundy, including live baguette slicing and artisanal cheese carving, while The Italian Wine and Cheese Soirée travels from the Alps to Tuscany and Sicily, pairing powerful reds with hand-sliced Prosciutto di Parma. One of the most interesting aspects of the activity is the personalised artisanal cheese board plating, which allows customers to create their own pairings with premium cheeses, accompaniments, breads, and charcuterie depending on their taste preferences.
Address: Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy One
No. 8, Bellary Road, Mekhri Circle, Ganga Nagar Extension, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560032
Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM
Price: INR 5,500 per person
Mai Mai, Bengaluru
Mai Mai Picante at Mai Mai in MG Road earns its following honestly. Built on a base that lets wine do the heavy lifting, it balances the natural smoothness of the grape with the clean sweetness of agave and a jalapeño kick that arrives just late enough to be a pleasant surprise rather than a warning. The result is a cocktail that feels both familiar and completely unexpected, light enough to drink easily, layered enough to keep you interested, and just spicy enough to make the next sip feel necessary. Started as a pleasant, small 30-seater in Indiranagar, Chapter Two on MG Road has become the major character. Same warmth, same intention, just a larger table for everyone. The open kitchen is the actual standout feature here, with the cooking on full show because why conceal it right?
Address: IndiQube Symphony, Shankarnarayan Building, Old, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, opposite East Parade Church, Craig Park Layout, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025
Timing: 12 PM - 3 PM and 7 PM - 10:30 PM
Price: INR 650 per cocktail
Image Credit: Unsplash
WhatsUp Cafe, Kolkata
The appetisers include fusion Indian dishes such as Dal Makhani Pasta, and a What's Up special Desi Pizza, which has a two-in-one kebab and kebab pizza combo. Chicken wings in barbecue sauce with the right hint of sweet-savoury tang, is one of our favorites from the new menu. Moving on to the star of the show, the Prawn Thermidor will hit all the right spots. The wines offered here are usually easy-drinking and accessible, including light whites, fruity reds, and sweeter selections appropriate for café-style eating. White wines are frequently selected for their sharp citrus and tropical fruit notes, which combine well with appetisers and pasta, whilst red wines are gentler, with berry and plum tastes that complement grilled foods and sizzlers.
Address: Gate -2, 122/A, Southern Ave, opposite Nazrul Manch, Golpark, Hindustan Park, Keyatala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029
Timing: 4 PM - 1 AM
Price: INR 1,500 for two
Wineyard, Goa
A tiny inside space contains repaired tiled flooring, a sloping roof, mix-and-match furnishings, and two tall wine fridges fondly known as "Sexy Karens." The bottles stand upright, enabling guests to examine the labels, touch them, and select their poison for the day. Depending on the mood of the squad, jazz or hip-hop music may be heard. The bar seats four people, with another two in a glass-windowed corner that overlooks the paddy fields beyond. The wine list is where Wineyard truly stands out. Arijit Bose, the creative mind behind bars such as Bar Spirit Forward, Una Hacienda, Wine in Progress, and Middle Room in Bengaluru, and Bar Outrigger in Goa, curated the unique and approachable assortment. The wine list includes skin-contact Georgian wines, crisp Burgundian whites, pungent natural pétillants, and structured Italian reds. Bottles are strategically placed to foster exploration, allowing opening the second bottle to feel less like an extravagance and more like the natural continuation of a pleasant evening. The by-the-glass menu expands beyond the restricted Indian wines served by most bars, with alternatives such as 9 Lives Riesling from Chile, Killabinbin Chardonnay from Australia, and Pasqua Pinot Grigio della Venezie from Italy.
Address: Sadhana Dell'Arte, Merces, Panjim
Timing: 5 PM - 12 AM
Price: INR 2,600 for two
Skydeck, Novotel Vijaywada Varun, Andhra Pradesh
On National Wine Day 2026, the New York Sour at Novotel Vijayawada Varun makes the case that wine doesn't always need a glass to itself. Built on a foundation of whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup, the cocktail finishes with a red wine float that does everything quietly and confidently, layering rich berry aromas and a velvety smoothness over the citrus brightness beneath it. The whiskey brings warmth. The lemon brings life, and the wine brings depth. Visually striking, sensory in every sip, and designed for those who believe a great evening deserves a drink that rises to meet it.
Address: Near Benz Circle, Bharathi Nagar, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520008
Timing: 11 AM - 11 PM
Price: INR 1,055+taxes
Image Credit: Unsplash
Sula Vineyard, Nashik
The Sula vineyards are unquestionably a must-see for anybody visiting Nashik, Maharashtra and if you’re a wine lover living in India! While the city is well-known for its temples, the Sula vineyards bring a new depth to the trip because Sula is one of the country's emerging wines. The vines are distributed across a huge area of land. They are seen from a variety of locations. They make a fairly interesting backdrop, and you can roam about if you like. During peak season, these vineyards are lush and full. Don't worry if you don't come here throughout the season. Many of the additional activities in Sula vineyards are available year-round. During the trip, you will learn that Sula grows its vineyard in a North-South orientation so that the entire plantation receives equal amounts of light. This light is necessary for grapes to ripen uniformly. You will get to see the equipment that separates the grapes from the leaves and stalks. You also get to witness the equipment used to smash the grapes, plus you might discover interesting facts such as that while both red and green grapes may be used to produce red wine, only green grapes are used to make white wine!
Address: Gat 36/2, off Gangapur-Savargaon Road, Govardhan, Nashik, Maharashtra 422222
Timing: 10 AM - 11 PM
Price: INR 600 - INR 1,000 per person
Le Cirque, Leela Palace, Delhi
The Franco-Italian cuisine remains excellent; however, the dishes have become more contemporary. An open kitchen is in the centre of the main eating room, providing a lively atmosphere as you wait for your dinner. They have Turya, which is more than just a wine; it is a collaboration between The Leela Palace New Delhi and Grover Zampa Vineyards that establishes a new standard for premium Indian winemaking. It is a private-label collection, founded in the vineyards of Nashik and Dindori and named after the Sanskrit notion of transcendence, which is based on purity, intention, and the calm harmony between human skill and nature, which you can sip at Le Cirque. Aged in French and American oak, the three-wine collection speaks in distinct voices. The Chardonnay-Viognier is floral, citrus-forward, and creamy, while the 2015 Tempranillo is earthy and complex, with dark berries, fig, tobacco, and leather in a single glass. The Shiraz moves between dark fruit and warm spice with effortless grace.
Address: First Floor, The Leela Palace, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110023
Timing: 12 PM - 3 PM and 7 PM - 11 PM
Price: INR 6,000 - INR 14,000