From Mango Orchards to Wine Glasses: Malihabad’s New Success Story

For generations, Malihabad's identity has been tied to its legendary mango orchards. Today, that story is evolving beyond fruit markets and export crates. With the launch of Maeve Meadery, Uttar Pradesh's first fruit winery, the region is taking a bold step into value-added agriculture and experiential tourism.

Located amid the sprawling mango orchards of Mal, near Lucknow, the winery transforms locally grown mangoes into premium fruit wines. The venture was founded by Madhvendra Deo Singh, whose journey to opening the winery involved navigating years of regulatory approvals and obtaining dozens of licences before production could begin.

The development marks an important shift for Malihabad, a region known across India for its GI-tagged mangoes, including the celebrated Dussehri variety. While the area has long been famous for cultivation, wineries and fruit-based products offer a new avenue to increase the value of local produce and reduce dependence on traditional markets.

Industry experts have increasingly highlighted fruit processing and agri-tourism as growth sectors for India's agricultural economy. By combining mango cultivation with tourism experiences, tastings, and local hospitality, ventures like Maeve Meadery could help position Malihabad as a destination that attracts visitors year-round rather than only during mango season.

The winery is also experimenting with new products, including mango-chilli wine, showcasing how innovation can create fresh demand for one of Uttar Pradesh's most iconic crops.

For Lucknow, the project represents more than a new business. It signals the emergence of a modern agricultural economy where heritage, entrepreneurship, and tourism come together. If Malihabad has long been India's mango capital, its next chapter may well be written in a wine glass.