Gangtok, Dec 10: The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Gangtok, under the Sikkim INSPIRES Project, inaugurated a Winemaking Training Programme aimed at strengthening local entrepreneurship, enhancing value-addition skills, and supporting homestay-driven tourism across the state.
The programme saw enthusiastic participation from nearly 40 trainees, an impressive 95% of whom were women - primarily homestay operators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and individuals interested in starting small-scale beverage or value-added production units.
Programme Inauguration and Key Addresses
The inaugural session began with a welcome address by Ms. Indira Singh, Senior Faculty at IHM Gangtok. She highlighted the importance of capacity-building initiatives in boosting self-reliance and strengthening Sikkim’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Singh also introduced the resource person for the programme, noting his extensive expertise in winemaking and beverage sciences.
Dr. Prerna Chamling, Additional Secretary (Tourism & Civil Aviation Department) and Administrator of IHM Gangtok, provided an overview of the Sikkim INSPIRES Project. She emphasised the project’s focus on empowering communities - especially women and youth - through targeted skill development that supports sustainable livelihoods and strengthens local enterprise ecosystems. She encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity and utilise these skills to diversify their income sources.
Expert Resource Person Leads Technical Training
The training is being conducted by Mr. Gaurav Thapar, Wine Ambassador at the Karnataka Grape & Wine Board and a distinguished expert in viticulture and oenology.
His professional qualifications include:
• WSET Level 3 Award in Wines & Spirits
• WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits
• Graduate Diploma in Viticulture & Oenology (Lincoln University, New Zealand)
• B.Sc. (Hons.) Agricultural Sciences (PAU, Ludhiana)
Mr. Thapar briefed participants on the structure of the training and highlighted the growing potential for fruit-based winemaking in Sikkim. He noted that homestay owners and rural entrepreneurs could significantly enhance their offerings by introducing locally produced beverages rooted in traditional and natural ingredients.
Training Focus and Next Steps
The multi-day training programme will cover:
• Fermentation techniques
• Hygiene and safety practices
• Equipment handling
• Fruit selection and quality control
• Small-scale production processes
• Legal requirements, licensing and standardisation
Participants will receive practical, hands-on demonstrations to ensure a strong technical understanding of winemaking as a viable entrepreneurial venture.
This initiative marks yet another milestone under Sikkim INSPIRES, reinforcing the state’s commitment to creating skilled, empowered and self-sustaining rural communities through focused training and enterprise development.
