PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

The ProWine Spirits Challenge will orchestrate a competition among producers of alcoholic beverages, where spirit brands can vie in a blind tasting to validate the excellence of their products. This presents an opportunity for all spirit brands to exhibit their offerings not only to the industry but also to their local consumers, garnering impartial evaluations that will acknowledge and elevate their brand in the Indian market.

PARTICIPATION

The Challenge extends an invitation to all Premium Spirit brands across various categories, including Whisky, Brandy, Vodka, Gin, Rum, and Agave-based Spirits. Interested brands can register any number of labels for each category.

SCORING

Evaluation of the submissions will be conducted by a committee comprised of alcohol beverage experts and enthusiasts who indulge in them during the ProWine Mumbai preevent.

WINNING SPIRITS

Successful brands are officially announced and exclusively promoted on the show floor at ProWine Mumbai 2024. Winners of the ProWine Spirits Challenge receive medal stickers, certificates, and co-branded creatives for promotional purposes. This medal serves as the ultimate endorsement in the global spirits industry. ProWine media will also announce the winning brands at ProWine Mumbai 2024.

REGISTRATION

Each brand is required to pay a registration fee and provide three bottles per label for this purpose.

• ProWine Exhibitors: Complimentary
• Non-exhibitors: ₹ 2000/- | € 30 per label

Sumedh Singh Mandla is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in FMCG, hospitality, and the beverage industry. As CEO of VBev and AWS Global, he leads the import, marketing and distribution of premium wines, spirits, and beers across India. A DipWSET-certified professional and former Chairman of the Asian Wine Producers Association, Sumedh has been instrumental in building international alcobev brands in the Indian subcontinent. A passionate wine and malt connoisseur, he is also a certified trainer, industry educator, and contributor to top trade publications.

Amber Deshmukh is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, an Italian Wine Scholar, Certified Specialist of Wine, and Sake Professional. With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality and wine industry, he has worked across luxury hotels, retail, and wine import businesses, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the Indian beverage market. Awarded 3rd place at the Best Sommelier of India 2025, Amber is known for his refined palate, deep product knowledge, and passion for wine education. He is dedicated to promoting wine culture in India and inspiring both trade professionals and enthusiasts through his expertise and experience.

Pritish was studying Mechanical Engineering when his passion for wines and spirits emerged, post which he attended Business School at the storied Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Pritish is Asia’s youngest WSET Diploma holder and WSET Approved Educator. He is Advisor – Strategy and Operation on the board of Aspri Spirits, one of India’s largest importers and Distributors of Wines, Spirits and Beers. Pritish aims to combine formal education, forward thinking and a young consumer’s outlook to help revolutionize the Indian Wines and Spirits Landscape.

Luca Bernardini is an Italian wine and food expert. In Italy he worked for Slow Food, an International organization that promotes traditional food. Now based in Mumbai for the last 10 years, he lectures for “Il Dolce Vino”, an initiative by the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce that promotes Italian wine culture in India. He is also brand ambassador for an Indian winery and for an Italian restaurant chain. Luca Bernardini thinks that these types of contests are essential for spreading the wine culture in a country like India, where wine is not a traditional beverage.

Suneeta Sodhi Kanga is a corporate trainer, mentor and coach in the area of grooming, international etiquette, fine dining and wine and spirits appreciation. She is a regular speaker at various T.V. channels, seminars and discussions in educational and other institutes on the subject of good grooming, etiquette and wine. She has a WSET Level 2 certification in Wines as well as Spirits. Suneeta is the class topper with 100% marks in the WSET Level 1 Sake Certification. Suneeta has also written many articles for the wine magazine, Sommelier India. She has worked with many wine and spirits companies and continues to do interactive trainings and tastings for their brands.

Aditya Ramani is a seasoned luxury hospitality leader with over 20 years of experience across iconic properties like The Imperial New Delhi, Four Seasons Johannesburg and Maldives, and now- the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu. Renowned for his strategic innovation in food and beverage, he has consistently elevated guest experiences through concept-driven dining and operational excellence.

Sovna is a WSET Diploma holder, award-winning wine & spirits educator, and WSET Approved Programme Provider who conducts tastings, trainings, and courses across India. She is also a recipient of the prestigious ‘Future 50’ and ‘Phoenix Leading Lady’ awards for her industry contributions.

A young, passionate Sommelier blending old-world tradition-like Port tonging & candlelight decanting with fresh, thoughtful touches that keep guests coming back. With an eye for detail & deep respect for the craft of Sommellerie, Arth builds a dynamic Wine program & will continue to shape Mumbai's evolving Wine Culture.

Prithvi Nagpal is a seasoned beverage expert with over 11 years of experience across multiple verticals of the wine and spirits industry — from import, distribution, retail, and sales to marketing, education, and consultancy. He is the co-founder of Spill It, a beverage consultancy that builds smarter, sharper bar and wine programs across India. With a strong belief in making the industry more approachable and engaging, Prithvi has designed beverage menus for leading venues, trained professionals, and created consumer experiences that bridge expertise with accessibility.

Vaniitha Jaiin is a trailblazer in the luxury beverage space, globally certified in wines & spirits and recognized as an international judge. One of the first women to solely found and build a spirits distillery in India, she is redefining fine beverages through *The Perfect Pour* and *Vanaha Gin* at Revelry Distillery. With deep insight into affluent consumer trends, she brings invaluable perspective to the jury.

With experience spanning French vineyards, global wine marketing, and luxury hospitality in India, Irene Hebrard brings a unique mix of hands-on knowledge, creativity, and cultural insight. As co-founder of Spill It, she channels these skills into building beverage programs, training teams, and creating events that make drinking culture more accessible and enjoyable.

With experience spanning French vineyards, global wine marketing, and luxury hospitality in India, Irene Hebrard brings a unique mix of hands-on knowledge, creativity, and cultural insight. As co-founder of Spill It, she channels these skills into building beverage programs, training teams, and creating events that make drinking culture more accessible and enjoyable.

A Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Kevin was also awarded the champion of Best Sommelier of India 2024. With past experience at Indigo, Yauatcha, Hakkasan, CinCin and Nara. Kevin spearheaded the wine lists which won the Wine Spectator Awards for 2 consecutive years for Indian Accent Delhi and Mumbai.

With over two decades of expertise in marketing and sales, and more than twelve years sculpting Grover Vineyards, Sumit Jaiswal has redefined India’s wine narrative. As Chief Operating Officer, he now leads Grover's local and global business with a proven track record of turning every market he enters into a success story.

A pulmonologist and an epidemiologist who is passionate about food and wine. He completed his WSET level 2 certification with a distinction in London, and is also an amateur coffee barista.

Gargi Kothari is a curator of wine experience and the founder of Magic Cellars, one of India's most vibrant wine communities. She holds the WSET Level 3 certification, has been working in wine for over 12 years and is a TEDx Speaker.

Business owner of Hops Cork - A leading Chain Of Liquor stores in Mumbai having 15 liquor stores, An exquisite wine & beer boutique in Bandra which was recently awarded best in class in the Top 10 retail Experience stores in Maharashtra in the India Drinks Retail Awards 2025 and the newest edition of an on the go drive thru Beer & Wine Shop in Juhu called Hops Cork Xpress. Featured in 35 under 35 entrepreneur India and in the new age liquor retail business in India Udit looks to be a trendsetter in the Alcobev industry!

Bazil Moniz has been responsible for putting together a stellar beverage program at Pali Bhavan and Pali Village Cafe.

Rohan Jelkie is the Head of Brand and On Trade Advocacy at Suntory Global Spirits India with nearly 2 decades of experience in the alcobev and hospitality sector.

Dushinka Malhotra is Head of Brand at Olive Bar & Kitchen, leading the strategy and marketing of some of Mumbai’s most iconic restaurants. She has over a decade of hospitality experience in India and New York, where she trained in Culinary Arts, worked in fine-dining kitchens, and earned her MBA from Fordham University. She now brings that global perspective to shaping hospitality brands that build modern, guest-driven experiences that merge food, culture, and community.

Wine Consumer

Wine Consumer

Wine Consumer

Ashwin Rodrigues is a pioneering force in India’s wine industry, known for blending entrepreneurial spirit with a deep commitment to bringing the industry together. As the founder of Good Drop Wine Cellars and the Secretary of the Wine Growers Association of India, he champions Indian wines on the global stage while fostering a vibrant, forward-looking wine culture at home.