Mon Feb 17 04:23:15 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Winery Pioneers Unique Betel Leaf and Areca Nut Wine
**Shivamogga, Karnataka – February 17, 2025** – Talisva Winery, a family-run business based in Shivamogga, Karnataka, has launched a novel dessert wine made from betel leaf and areca nuts, a first-of-its-kind product in India. Founded by Sushma Sanjay in 2005 as a hobby, Talisva has grown into a successful enterprise, selling a variety of fruit wines. However, the company’s latest creation, a meticulously crafted betel leaf and areca nut wine, marks a significant milestone.
The unique wine uses a base of honey and locally sourced betel leaves, fermented with yeast for a month. After multiple filtrations and a four-month aging process in stainless-steel tanks, areca nuts are infused, creating a nine percent alcohol dessert wine. No additional alcohol is added, and honey is the sole sweetener. The wine, currently available in approximately 150 outlets across Karnataka for ₹950 (375ml), is produced seasonally, reflecting the harvest cycle of the areca nut (November-February).
CEO Akarsh Sanjay, who works alongside his mother, explained that the wine is a celebration of their family’s areca nut farm and aims to showcase the potential of local produce. “Many people in India enjoy paan, and our goal is to offer a sophisticated, sippable dessert version,” he stated. Talisva is exploring patent options, though acknowledges the challenges of patenting a wine-making process. With an annual production capacity of 55,000 litres and current output at 20,000 litres, the company has already sold over 600 bottles of the new wine since its launch in November 2024.
Looking towards the future, Talisva plans to expand distribution beyond Karnataka, targeting other regions in India and even Asian markets like Indonesia. The company also envisions transforming its 25-acre farm into an agro-tourism destination, offering visitors a chance to experience the winemaking process firsthand.
First Piper 