Confusing and confused, the story starts with Rudragoudar’s two decades of table grape-growing experience before he converted to wine grapes and winemaking with Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. As of 2015, Chenin Blanc and Merlot seem to have been discontinued. The wines are said to be marketed under two different brands: Nesara has eight labels and Season has five. They are labelled as products of Nesara Vineyards and Season Vineyards, but are both made by Krishna Valley Vineyards!

When seen, the courtyard and the dilapidated winery reflected this confusion. Tasting of four of Season Vineyards’ wines was conducted on a sun-heated veranda of the cellar master’s cottage. No label showed vintage and there was heavy oxidation all across the range, which confirmed my suspicion that the winery had seen better days. Neither the wines nor the winery can be recommended in this case.

Nesara Vineyards

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chenin Blanc
• rosé
• Shiraz
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Zinfandel
• Madan: Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz blend

Season Vineyards

• Sauvginon Blanc
• rosé
• Shiraz
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Madan