A day before the Kala Ghoda festival kicked off at SoBo, Kurla in the northern suburbs was through Day 1 of a hip, new wine festival at the sprawling Phoenix MarketCity.
Why a wine festival at Kurla? Because, if Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, is any indicator, the Ruias are capable of creating a buzz centre wherever they take their real estate and this is one of the first few events to signify that... And Free Space. Phoenix MarketCity’s wide-open courtyard with a performance space at the centre makes it a perfect venue for public events, expos and performances.
Shamita Singha, sommelier and co-founder of Onesoul Lifestyle Promotions, the event organisers, said the concept of the event was to give wine lovers an opportunity to enjoy good wine with cheese, music and performances in a free space where they can sit and enjoy a glass of wine. “The choice of venue Phoenix MarketCity was because of the huge courtyard there which is so untypical of Mumbai,” she said.
“We, my sister and I, are big wine lovers, so we decided to showcase Indian wines to Indian people and make everyone a wine lover,” said Mashoom Singha, Co-Founder, Onesoul Lifestyle Promotions.
The event married art, food, Indian and imported wines, cheese, and fashion with a guest-list that included Carol Gracias, Pia Trivedi, Nauheed Cyrusi, Anushka Manchanda, Mehak Chahal and Managing Director, Phoenix Mills Co. Ltd., Atul Ruia, among others, who were hosted by Jacob’s Creek at their VIP enclosure. There were wine and cheese tastings, sangria-making workshops and limited choice of food.
Off to a good start, the organisers hope to make it a bigger, more frequent event, starting with twice a year and eventually four times a year.