They swirl, they sip, they sparkle… and somewhere between a velvety Pinot and a bubbly Prosecco, Gargi Kothari and Devathi Mallick have bottled India’s most effervescent wine revolution. As the Co-founders of Viva la Vino, they’re uncorking a whole new attitude toward wine. Forget hushed sommelier whispers and intimidating wine lists; for Gargi and Devathi, wine is about laughter that spills as easily as the pour, about clinking glasses over good stories, and about replacing pretentious tasting notes with pure, unfiltered joy.

With Viva la Vino, the duo has taken India’s wine scene from niche to need-to-be-seen-at. From Bangalore’s buzzy debut to Mumbai’s glam-soaked edition at The Quorum, they’ve turned sipping into a stylish social ritual… complete with 90+ wines, artisanal cheese, and the kind of community vibe that gets even the sober-curious swirling. Their mantra? “Wine without intimidation.” And they mean it. Whether you’re a cork dork, a casual drinker, or someone who still thinks “tannin” is a fabric, Gargi and Devathi make sure everyone feels at home in their vineyard of vibes.

As sommeliers turned storytellers, they’ve mastered the art of pairing fine wine with great conversation. Their festival isn’t just about what’s in the glass… it’s about the culture, the craft, and the people behind every pour. With the grace of a vintage Champagne and the freshness of a young Riesling, Gargi and Devathi are redefining what it means to raise a toast in modern India… chic, inclusive, and unapologetically fun.

Here, the girls behind Viva la Vino, Gargi Kothari and Devathi Mallick, speak to Sumita Chakraborty, Founder & Editor-in-chief, TheGlitz about Viva la Vino… a festival that proves wine isn’t just meant to be tasted, it’s meant to be felt. And in the hands of these two powerhouse women, India’s wine culture just found its perfect blend of flavour, finesse, and fabulousness.

Over To Gargi Kothari and Devathi Mallick, Co-Founders, Viva la Vino

Viva la Vino has quickly become India’s most talked-about wine festival… equal parts fun, flavour, and finesse. Take us back to that first glass… what was the spark that led to this movement?

Viva La Vino was born out of a simple thought, wine should feel exciting and unpretentious. We wanted to recreate the joy of discovering wines the way we as friends and sommeliers did: sharing a bottle, relaxing and unwinding over conversations about not just wine but also life! Yes, wine does that to you! This love for wine evolved into a community-driven festival that celebrates flavour, culture and connection. We want more and more people to discover the joys of wine!

Both of you come from the world of sommeliers and storytelling. How did your personal wine journeys shape the philosophy behind Viva la Vino’s “wine without intimidation” approach?

We believe that wine becomes magical only when people feel comfortable engaging with it. We’ve seen many rooms where wine felt exclusive, and others where one good conversation could open the door for someone for life! That’s what we wanted to build on. VLV was created with the belief that discovering wine can be fun, warm and welcoming.

As sommeliers we wanted more people to discover wine in a relaxed setting, without the snobbery. And as storytellers, we wanted to share the stories behind these wines as wines are not just about the liquid in the glass. It’s about the history, culture, fascinating places and the people that make these wines. Sharing these stories is important for us to get people to experience wine and not just drink it.

The festival’s success lies in making wine approachable to a younger, curious crowd. What have you learned about India’s evolving wine culture and how different cities “drink and think” wine?

Younger people want unique experiences! This generation is open-minded and eager to understand what they’re drinking, but on their own terms. We’ve seen how Bangalore loves the casual, social wine vibe, while Mumbai loves a touch of glam and discovery. Across all our cities, the shift is clear: wine is becoming a lifestyle, inclusive, playful and rooted in personal taste rather than rules.

From Bangalore’s electric debut to Mumbai’s glam edition at The Quorum, how does each city influence the mood, style, and energy of Viva la Vino?

Each city brings its own flavour. Bangalore gave us the energy of a buzzy, fun wine party, vibrant, relaxed and high on community spirit. Mumbai adds sparkle and interests a mix of both evolved wine drinkers and a young, curious crowd. The festival evolves with the city while staying true to the VLV essence.

With over 90 wines, craft chocolate, and artisanal cheese, how do you curate such a fine balance between indulgence and education?

We curate VLV like a whole experience. Guests can sip at their own pace, discover new favourites, meet and chat with the respective brand sommeliers at each stall. For those who want to geek out, our exclusive masterclass offers a deep dive into more technical nuances. So while you indulge in lots of wine tasting, you always have opportunities to learn about wine through conversations with the brand owners and brand sommeliers at the stalls.

The inclusion of non-alcoholic wines by Dry Drnks shows a sensitivity to mindful consumption. How do you see the “sober curious” movement influencing the future of wine culture in India?

Mindful drinking is definitely on the rise. There are also a large number of teetotallers in the country. People want to enjoy the experience without always consuming alcohol, and that deserves a seat at the table. Including NA wines allows more people to be part of the experience, whether they’re health-conscious, taking a break, or simply curious. This will also help more younger Gen Z consumers who drink less or don’t drink at all or prefer low alcohol drinks, to get into the category without making health compromises.

You’ve created a brand that blends sophistication with community. How important is storytelling, design, and vibe in keeping Viva la Vino aspirational yet accessible?

Wine comes alive through the entire atmosphere — as curators of the event, we have worked on all aspects of the festival to bring it alive with the signature VLV style. The visual identity of the brand, the venues we pick, the décor and vibe of the event, how the moments at VLV are captured by professional videographers and editors to share with the world, the way we speak about it, and lastly a bit of our own personalities bring everything together! VLV is designed to feel stylish and modern, but never intimidating. We want guests to feel like they’ve stepped into a world that’s exciting and aspirational, yet also warm, friendly and deeply inclusive. That balance is our signature.

Finally, if you could each share one glass of wine with anyone in the world — past or present — who would it be and what would you pour?

Gargi Kothari: It would be my favourite actor – Timothee Chalamet. “With Timothee I would like to share a bottle of an aged Grand Cru Riesling, one of my favourite wine styles. Well, because aged Rieslings are complex and nuanced but at the same time, they are exciting and expressive. They have a young energy about them but with an old soul. And that’s exactly the personality of Timothee.

Devati Mallick: The person would be George Clooney. Sharing a bottle of a vintage Champagne with George would be apt. Matching his personality and style, a vintage Champagne is sophistication and charm personified. A vintage Champagne is not like any other Champagne. It’s only made in the best years and shows great ageing potential just like George Clooney who’s ageing like fine wine.