The Journey Has Just Begun

Rather than planting a large vineyard from the beginning, we chose to start with a carefully managed estate where every vine can receive individual attention. We believe exceptional wine is never created simply by planting more hectares. It is created by understanding every row, every vine and every season.

Our vineyard in the Eastern Himalayan foothills of Pedong, Kalimpong, is planted with four carefully selected grape varieties: Riesling, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

Each variety has its own purpose within the estate. Riesling was chosen for its potential to express purity, minerality and graceful ageing. Pinot Noir was selected for its elegance, perfume and ability to reflect terroir with honesty. Sauvignon Blanc brings the promise of vibrant aromatics and a crisp mountain expression. Cabernet Franc represents structure, patience and our long-term vision for the estate.

These are not yet mature vines. They are young plants currently establishing their roots and learning their environment. At this stage, our greatest investment is not in producing wine. It is in building healthy vines that can serve Château Aarav for decades.

This part of the journey requires patience. There is work happening every day, but much of it is invisible. Roots are developing beneath the soil, shoots are responding to the seasons, and we are learning more about each vineyard block with every passing year.

Our first harvest is expected around 2030. But we have made one promise to ourselves: Château Aarav will never release a bottle simply because the calendar says it is time.

We will release our first wine only when we believe it truly represents our land, our philosophy and the standards we have set for ourselves.

“For us, patience is not a delay. It is part of the winemaking process.”

For us, patience is not a delay.

It is part of the winemaking process.

Our home in Pedong, along Upper Cart Road in Kalimpong, places the vineyard within the Eastern Himalayan foothills. Rolling hills, forests, fresh mountain air and changing seasons create the landscape in which our vines are growing.

The wider Kalimpong region carries its own cultural and natural richness, from monasteries and historic sites to mountain viewpoints, forests and valleys. Places such as Pedong Monastery, Damsang Fort, Cross Hill View Point, Deolo Hill, Durpin Dara Hill, Lava, Loleygaon and Neora Valley National Park form part of the remarkable landscape around us.

One day, we hope visitors will not simply travel here to taste wine.

We hope they will come to experience the Eastern Himalayas through our vineyard—to walk among the vines, understand the land, and discover the story behind every bottle.

For now, however, we are still at the beginning.

The vines are young. The roots are growing. The seasons are teaching us.

And slowly, patiently, Château Aarav is finding its place.