The contract was signed on behalf of RR Sales, New Delhi by V.Lalrindika, Director- Business Development and on behalf of Hnahlan Grape Farming & Processing Co-Op Society, Francis Lalmalsawma Sailo was present.

Target to sell over two lakh liters of Isabella wine 

The Hnahlan winery of Mizoram, which is a unit of Hnahlan Grape Farming & Processing Co-Op Society Ltd, plans to achieve sales of over two lakh liters (over 22000 cases of 9 liters) of Isabella wine- a rather ambitious target in the first year after exports start.

Isabella grape was developed in the US. The name Isabella was given to the variety in 1816 when it was discovered in Dorchester, South Carolina, by Brooklyn nursery owner, William Price. He named it in honor of his friend’s Southern wife, Isabella Gibbs. It is a cultivar derived from the grape species Vitis labrusca or ‘fox grape,’ (most grape varieties used in the world including Indian wines from grapes, are Vitis Vinifera family) used for table, juice and wine production.

Also Read : Congress in Mizoram apologises for removing Prohibition in 2015

The introduction of the wine outside the state will be a game changer for the farmers in Mizoram according to Francis Lalmalsawma, a representative of the Hnahlan Grape Farming & Processing Co-Op Society. The farmers currently struggle to market their wine locally.

Grape harvest is currently underway in Hnahlan and its surrounding areas, with over 1000 quintals (10 tons) of grapes already harvested.

Also Read : Congress in Mizoram apologises for removing Prohibition in 2015

Wavering Policy of Mizoram

Mizoram has had a checkered history of prohibition and promotion depending on which political party ruled the state, as illustrated by delWine in the past in a few of the Articles in this space. The Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition (MLTP) Act had earlier prevented large-scale commercialization of their products and wine-making from grapes.

But after this act was amended, Hnahlan grape cultivation soon picked up. Five years after wine shops were opened legally in Mizoram under the erstwhile Congress government, the state swung back to a dry state in 2019 as the Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by Zoramthanga implemented The Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Act, 2019 fulfilling its pre-poll promises.

Also Read : Government Abolishes Prohibition in Mizoram

Last year in May, public outcry demanded the legalisation of the manufacture of grape wine following the seizure of huge quantities of locally processed grape wine by the state Excise and Narcotics Department at some shops in Millennium Centre at the heart of Aizawl city and reported by delWine in June 2022 issue.

Meanwhile, numerous families in Hnahlan and the neighbouring areas cultivate grapes and the number of people renovating their vineyards is also rising.

Hnahlan Winery that was opened in 2010, has plans to upgrade its machinery and also increase its production capacity, according to a Report in India Today

Also Read : Love Potion No. 7 from Mizoram

Changing government policy on wine cultivation & sale in Mizoram

Last year in May, public outcry demanded the legalisation of the manufacture of grape wine following the seizure of huge quantities of locally processed grape wine by the state Excise and Narcotics Department at some shops in Millennium Centre at the heart of Aizawl city.

Also Read : Mizoram State Turns Semi Dry

The Mizoram state government finally notified grape wine rules on September 7, 2022, which allowed the manufacture, sale and export of grape wines processed from locally grown grapes. Both the pro=prohibition and anti prohibition groups are very strong in Mizoram, causing the vacillation in the policy. One hopes now this is final and the production and sales will be encouraged, helping in the development of the State as well.

Subhash Arora