Today we’d like to introduce you to Raghni.
Raghni, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Punjab in a home where food and curiosity were inseparable. My mother loved cooking and brought back seeds from her travels to grow new ingredients in our kitchen garden, shaping my palate and love for fresh, creative food.
Moving to Melbourne added a whole new layer of exploration for me; in food and, later, in wine. Traveling through wine regions around the world, I had an “aha” moment: my connection with wine country felt so joyful and meaningful that I wanted to bring it intentionally into my life and share it with my family.
In 2018 I found a small vineyard property in Sonoma County with five acres of Pinot Noir. From the moment I saw it, I realized what had come into my life was even more beautiful than I had imagined, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The property felt like the perfect way for me to share the experiences I loved, a place so connected to the land and the journey of wine. I didn’t have any real professional experience in the wine industry, but I took a huge leap of faith because it felt too meaningful to let fear hold me back. I wanted to create wines that carried both a sense of place and the values I grew up with, and so I started Naidu Wines in 2020, with a focus on quality and authenticity despite the uncertainty of the times.
Today I am proud to be recognized as the first Indian immigrant female vintner in the United States. Naidu Wines remains a boutique, heart-driven winery grounded in craftsmanship and hospitality. Every bottle reflects the journey from my childhood kitchen garden in Punjab to building a life in California wine country. My hope is that the wines carry the same warmth and connection that shaped me from the very beginning.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road? No, it hasn’t. Building a winery as the first Indian woman in the United States has required courage and resilience. The wine industry is traditional and male-dominated, and I’m often the only person of color in the room, which makes earning trust and breaking expectations a challenge. Launching Naidu Wines during the pandemic, with wildfires and trade uncertainties, tested me in ways I could never have imagined. But through it all, one thing has stayed constant: making wines that bring joy. People often tell me, “We were fascinated by your story but didn’t expect your wines to be THIS good!” Those moments make every challenge worth it and remind me why I do this.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Naidu Wines is a boutique winery in Sonoma County, deeply rooted in a single-vineyard, terroir-driven philosophy, with quality as our singular pursuit. We focus on creating wines that reflect the unique character of each site. Our estate vineyard is on Goldridge soils in the Sonoma Coast AVA, benefiting from coastal influence and cooling ocean breezes, and this terroir shapes the distinct nature of our wines. We also procure fruit from other premium vineyards throughout Sonoma County to craft wines that meet the highest standards of quality.
What makes Naidu Wines special is the way we blend rigorous, place-driven winemaking with a deeply personal story. As founder, I bring my heritage, passion, and vision directly into every bottle. Our goal is not only to make technically excellent wine, but also to create something meaningful, a wine that connects, surprises, and resonates with people.
One of the things I am most proud of is how our wine and our brand invite people into our world. We offer an immersive stay and tasting experience at our estate, where guests can stay on the property, walk the vineyard, taste our current releases, and understand how the land and our story come together.
Naidu Wines is about more than wine. It is about legacy and connection. When you open a bottle of our wine, or when you walk through our vineyard, you are not just tasting grapes. You are experiencing a journey, one shaped by heritage, land, passion, and the belief that wine can tell a deeply personal and inclusive story.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising that many people do not know about me is that I did not grow up around wine at all. My early influences came from food, culture, and the curiosity I inherited from my mother, who constantly pushed culinary boundaries in our home. Wine came into my life much later, and when it did, it opened up a world that felt instantly familiar because it connected land, culture, and hospitality in a way that resonated with how I was raised.
People are often surprised to learn that I stepped into this industry without traditional credentials or a background in winemaking. What I did have was a clear vision, a deep love for the craft, and the willingness to take a leap of faith. Even now, many are surprised that behind a polished brand and award winning wines is someone who simply followed her instincts, trusted her palate, and built something from pure passion and courage.
Pricing:
- Naidu Brut, NV North Coast $39.99
- Naidu Chardonnay, Catie’s Corner VineyardRussian River Valley $49.99
- Naidu Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley $59.99
- Naidu Rose Of Pinot Noir, $29.99
- Naidu ESTATE Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast $74.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://naiduwines.com/
- Instagram: @naiduwines
- Facebook: @naiduwines
Image Credits
Cheri Tran Snaps
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