Edenvale Wines – A new swirl in the glass

A taste of Edenvale, the Australian non-alcoholic wine label that arrived in India in 2025 – and a look at why the low- and no-alcohol category is finding real traction with Indian drinkers this season. Gargi Guha samples Edenvale, Australia’s alcohol-removed wine

As I sit watching the raindrops fall from my South Goa perch, the glass in my hand waits to be lifted. The haze of a persistent downpour slackens to reveal an errant late-afternoon sunbeam, giving my half-full glass an iridescent ruby glow. I give it a gentle swirl and then a deep sniff that unleashes enveloping notes of ripe black cherry and plum, underscored by hints of spice. Plump fruit, a subtle suggestion of oak and a whisper of spice indicate that it is undeniably a Shiraz, most certainly Australian.

Indeed it is, with just one difference. The alcohol percentage is less than 0.5%, a level similar to that found in fresh fruit juices. This is Edenvale Shiraz, so close to its original varietal character that I can’t quite believe the lack of alcohol in it. After all, it is alcohol by volume that contributes to the mouthfeel, texture and weight of a wine — and alcohol I had always presumed was its backbone — but Edenvale proves that this is a myth.

Edenvale was established in Sydney, Australia in 2006 by entrepreneur Michael Bright, at a time when few companies on the global stage took the category of non-alcoholic wine seriously. The choices were few and far between; many failed to deliver on quality or lacked that elusive X factor. The wines available tended to sit at opposite ends of the spectrum — cloyingly sweet or insipid — unable to cut it with consumers. Meanwhile, the sober-curious movement was gaining ground, and there was an obvious gap in the market.

Bright had a single roadmap: to create a beverage category that retained the ritual and pleasure of wine, sans alcohol. In those early days, the biggest challenge was convincing retailers that there was merit in the product — that a non-alcoholic wine category had real value.

What separates Edenvale from mere grape juice comes down to process. It starts as fully fermented wine, made from top-quality grapes grown across Australia’s prime regions (see box), before the alcohol is removed using advanced Spinning Cone Column technology. Working at low temperatures, the process gently separates the wine into three parts — the alcohol, the alcohol-removed wine, and a delicate aroma essence — without added chemicals or any compromise to the wine’s character. That aroma essence is then carefully blended back in, which is why the original aromas, flavour and character survive the process at all.

Edenvale took its time to enter India, but when it did in 2025, it made sure it was done right. Officially introduced at ProWine Mumbai, the wines were showcased through tastings for industry partners and consumers — the perfect launchpad. To spread the brand message further, the company partnered with Sonal Holland, India’s only Master of Wine.

The timing couldn’t have been better. There has been a significant shift among younger Indians towards seeking an elevated drinking experience rather than simply ‘getting high’.

“For a long time, drinking in India was largely binary,” explains Holland. “You either drank alcohol or you didn’t. Today, particularly among younger, urban consumers, that distinction is becoming far more nuanced. People may drink wine on Saturday, choose a non-alcoholic option over lunch on Sunday, abstain during the week, or drink moderately depending on the occasion.”

Alcohol, in other words, is no longer a prerequisite for a quality drinking experience. Edenvale’s portfolio (full range in the box) spans reds, whites, a rosé and moscato, and a full sparkling line — enough to cover most occasions a drinker might reach for wine. “Edenvale begins life as fermented wine before undergoing de-alcoholisation. Hence, there is genuine winemaking behind the product,” says Holland, making her point about the authenticity of the experience. Her words ring true as I try the Sparkling Cuvée — fresh green apple and citrus notes leap out of the flute,
followed by fine perlage and a bright palate.

Australia’s love affair with Chardonnay began in the 1970s and endured through the ‘80s and ‘90s, establishing it as the country’s leading white variety. The Edenvale Chardonnay, true to tradition, offers a bouquet of melon, citrus and apple, bound together with a mere suggestion of oak — elegant and complex. (Stockists and pricing in the box.)

Edenvale sits at the intersection of wine culture and mindful drinking, arriving in India just as the low- and no-alcohol segment gains ground. “The ritual and pleasure surrounding a drink must never be compromised,” says Holland. “A beautiful glass, an interesting flavour profile, something that complements food and, importantly, something that feels sophisticated enough to belong at the table. That is where a brand like Edenvale becomes interesting. It allows consumers to participate in wine culture without necessarily participating in alcohol consumption.”

The entry of Edenvale may well be a bellwether. The next five years could be transformative for this category in India, as more young people move away from alcohol as a matter of personal choice, and conversations around moderation, wellness and responsible consumption become mainstream. Gone are the days when the non-drinker at the table had to make do with sugary drinks or juice — there is now a genuine spectrum of choice. Someone who drinks after work on a Wednesday may still want to abstain at a Saturday night party without giving up a great drinking experience. Edenvale may be the answer for exactly that occasion.

“The future is not about choosing between drinking and not drinking,” sums up Holland. “It is about having better choices for every occasion.”