Brands
Sula Vineyards sees record wine tourism amid trade slowdown
MUMBAI: Sula Vineyards is showing that a winery can also be a world-class resort. Even as wine sales slowed a bit in Bangalore, guests kept flowing into its hotel rooms, proving that the Nashik-based vintner knows how to keep visitors pouring in.
Sula’s wine tourism division has corked a spectacular result, posting a record-breaking revenue of Rs 22.0 crore for Q3 FY26, a staggering 33.7 per cent leap from the previous year. The draw of the vines attracted over 1,27,400 visitors, a 17 per cent increase in footfall driven by improved road connectivity from Mumbai and a bumper festive season.
The company also fast-tracked its hospitality expansion, launching ‘The Haven by Sula’ near York Winery. Originally planned for a later debut, the resort added 20 keys in December, three months ahead of schedule, bringing Sula’s total room capacity to 154 keys. Despite this massive jump in room supply, occupancy remained robust at 79 per cent, with Average Room Revenue (ARR) holding steady at Rs 10,483.
While the tourism side is effervescent, the Own Brands segment faced a bit of a hangover. Revenue dipped 12.9 per cent to Rs 169.5 crore, primarily due to a tactical destocking exercise in Karnataka. Sula intentionally reduced channel inventory to conserve working capital amidst subdued demand in Bangalore. Excluding this one-time correction, underlying revenue remained flat year-on-year.
The financial scorecard for Q3 FY26 reflected these shifts, with Gross Profit at Rs 116.9 crore, down 13.6 per cent, and Operating Ebitda at Rs 32.0 crore, a decline of 39.8 per cent. Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at Rs 9.1 crore, while the Elite and Premium segment maintained a dominant 80 per cent share of the portfolio mix.
New Blends and New Horizons Sula isn’t just resting on its barrels. The company recently launched ‘The Source Chardonnay Reserve’, an oak-fermented dry white aimed at the premium dining segment, and has Sula Muscat Blanc waiting in the wings.
On the operational front, the company is on track to expand its cellar capacity by 1 million litres, reaching a total of 19.2 million litres per annum by the end of FY26. With Maharashtra and Telangana markets showing signs of recovery and a new, top-secret resort project in Nashik already in the works, Sula’s leadership remains optimistic that the current dip is merely a pause before the next pour.
As the annual SulaFest recently saw its second consecutive sell-out, it’s clear that while the macro-economic climate might be a bit tart, the brand’s appeal remains as sweet as ever.
Brands
Lotus Herbals unveils HydroActivated sunscreen with high-impact campaign
Harnaaz Sandhu fronts digital push spotlighting breakthrough sun care tech
MUMBAI: Lotus Herbals has rolled out a high-decibel marketing campaign to introduce what it calls India’s first hydro-activated sunscreen, aiming to reshape how consumers think about sun protection.
At the centre of the launch is the Safe Sun HydroActivated Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++, a formulation built on a patent-pending Hydrosome Technology that activates on contact with moisture. Unlike conventional sunscreens that can weaken with sweat, this product is designed to do the opposite, boosting protection when the skin is exposed to water or perspiration.
The campaign is led by Harnaaz Sandhu and is being amplified across OTT platforms, social media and outdoor locations in key metro cities. The brand film takes a light, relatable approach to everyday sunscreen struggles such as uneven application and fading protection, while positioning the new product as a reliable, high-performance alternative for active lifestyles.
Beyond its core technology, the sunscreen features next-generation UV filters and Edelweiss Flower Extract, offering hydration alongside protection. The formula claims up to 10 hours of water resistance and even, all-round defence against sun exposure and tanning, targeting consumers who want both skincare and performance in one product.
Speaking about the launch, Lotus Herbals chairman and managing director Nitin Passi said, “We are excited to launch India’s first sunscreen with hydroactivated technology which is our most innovative product launch. This isn’t just a sunscreen; it’s a technological breakthrough that utilises a novel manufacturing process. We’ve created a product that stays invisible on the skin yet becomes a performance powerhouse when the user is most active.”
Sharing her experience, Lotus Herbals brand ambassador Harnaaz Sandhu said, “I am thrilled to be associated with Lotus Herbals Safe Sun for their new sun protection campaign. In my world, there is no room for shortcuts, and I need functional and reliable products that work as hard as I do. The hydroactivated sunscreen is a game-changer because it blends with my skin and protects me better when I’m pushing my limits.”
The campaign is being distributed across platforms including JioStar connected TV integrations and ZEE5, along with television placements such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in West Bengal. A large influencer push involving over a thousand creators, along with in-store branding and retail activations, is also part of the rollout.
With a blend of science-led positioning and mass-market storytelling, Lotus Herbals is betting on innovation to stand out in the crowded sun care segment, hoping its moisture-powered promise strikes the right chord with today’s always-on consumers.
