Goa wine festival from 12 May

Goa will host a three- day wine festival from 12 May in Panaji to promote the state as a life style destination.

The festival has been named 'Grape Escapade' and it will be held in the INOX premises along the Mandovi river. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is organising the event for the second time.

"Wine is synonymous with friendship, happiness and celebrations. We intend to make the festival an annual event," said Fatima D'Sa, managing director, GTDC. She added, " We are giving tourists another reason to visit Goa".

Wine industry giants including Bangalore's Grover Vineyards, Nashik's Chateau Indage, Blue Star Agro and winery and Renaissance Wineries Private Ltd and Goa's Pedro Vincent Vaz and Springfield Distilleries will participate in the festival.

"Goa has a unique wine industry with around 40 wineries registered with the state excise, who would get boost with this festival," said D'Sa. The state government-owned, GTDC runs 12 resorts with 60 per cent average occupancy and has a turnover of Rs 12.5 crore.