 Kanwal Grover was an unconventional man who decided at the age of 60, when people start planning their retirement; to convert his passion of wine into creating something for the future generation and made it a lifetime dedication. Accepting the immense challenge of growing French grape varieties in India for the first time, Kanwal Grover, together with George Vesselle took the onerous task of creating the first premium wine estate in India. He could be justifiably called the Father of Indian Viticulture.
He had the vision to make Indian wines known in the world as top quality wines and when Sham Chougule of Indage had focused on sparkling wine, he introduced wine grapes for the first time in India. He had the far-sight to engage Michel Rolland as his wine consultant on a long term basis by giving him minor stakes, much before he became one the top flying winemakers of the world. The La Reserve created in the 90s after his son Kapil joined him in the business in 1993; it is still considered the best value for money, high quality Indian red wine by critics throughout the world.
Because of his successful career of dealing with technical equipment and doing business with the French fro many years, he thought French and breathed French, with the philosophy-never to compromise on quality. He was perhaps the first to export wines to France. It was his philosophy that made them leaders in exports as a percentage of total business with around 20-25% of the production being exported. He was also decorated by the French for promoting business between France and India.
While Jancis Robinson and Steven Spurrier have been impressed by these wines and have so written among many journalists from across the world, Adam Strum, Managing Editor of Wine Enthusiast for whom Delhi Wine Club had organised a dinner with Grover’s wines on his visit to India about 5 years ago, said that the history of Indian wine industry would be written around wines like La Reserve. This could have been perhaps the best tribute to him in laying foundation for the wine industry of India as the New World wine producing nation.
Although he had handed reigns of the company to his younger son Kapil; the elder son Karan is an architect and not directly involved with the business, he was quite active in the policy making of the company and proudly drank his own wines with dinner.
His passing away is a great loss to the industry besides his immediate family. Our heartfelt condolences go to his sons Kapil and Karan and the grand-daughter Karishma who is a winemaker at the winery and other members of the family.
Subhash Arora
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Subhash Arora Says: |
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His son Kapil Grover has taken over and amalgated with different groups since then. mailing you his ID. Arora |
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Ranjit Chauhan Says: |
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So Very Sorry To learn about the passing On of Mr. Kunwal . May his great soul rest in Peace. Who has taken over from him, could I have his ID Ranjit |
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David Milliere Says: |
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didn't know the man, but I tasted the wines. I always have a lot of respect for pioneers. Sincere condolences to all the Grover family and wine lovers |
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Sangeeta Dua Says: |
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Dear Natasha, I hv been reading the excerpts from your interesting Del Wine for quite a few yrs now. I am based in Malta of the Mediterranean and know Kapil Grover as we were at college in Sydenham way back in the 1970's. His wife Jayshree particularly was a very good friend of mine and then I guess with getting married, we all go our separate ways. Could you pls pass on his email, so I can send my husband and my heartfelt condolences on Uncle Kanwal's demise. Thank you. Warm Regards always. Sangeeta Dua E. Sullivan, Director,SULLIVAN MEDITERRANEAN GROUP , MALTA G.C. |
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Ashish Kohli Says: |
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Deepest condolences to Mr.Kapil and all the Grover family on the loss of this great person. |
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C.H.U.RAO Says: |
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Deepest condolences to Mr.Kapil and all the Grover family on the loss of this great person. |
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Babu Meghanathan Says: |
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My Family is at the deepest of sorrow on the demise of Elder Senior GROVER. May his Soul Rest In peace. We pray Almighty to give Courage & Strength for Mr Kapil Grover & family |
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D N Raju ( Darby ) Says: |
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Deepest condolences to Kapil and all the Grover family on the loss of this great doyan of Indian wine industry .. Raju D N Bangalore Soma Vineyards |
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David Banford Says: |
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Kanwal Grover was one of the true visionaries and true gentlemen of the Indian wine industry. When The Wine Society of India had its launch party at The Crystal Room at The Taj Mahal Hotel, on September 15th 2006 with Steven Spurrier, our Chairman, flown in from London to be in attendance, Kanwal saw to it that his entire family were present to welcome us into India and to encourage us to spread the wine culture across the sub-continent. Kanwal also had a wicked sense of humour - I well remember him at a major wine tasting with a napkin wrapped around his hand hiding a chota peg of whisky soda. 'My 2nd favourite drink' he told me! We will greatly miss him, and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. |
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kskarnic Says: |
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It is a sad news for the the karnataka Grape growers particularly from Doddaballapur region. His contribution to economic develoment of farming community in doddabalapur taluk throgh his innovtive contract farming is immense. Everyone who had joined him in growing wine variety grapes are happy farmer today. May god rest his soul in peace. Our condolences to govers family. |
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