The Fizz Factor

Childhood sweethearts Priyanka Save and Nagesh Pai gave up engineering careers in the US to build a business that would be a fitting tribute to the fruit plantations and horticulture of their home in Bordi village, Palghar district in particular as well as Maharashtra in general. The result is Fruzzanté, India’s first-ever sparkling alcoholic beverage that harnesses the magic of the fruits grown in this region

Despite completing their degrees from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, engineers Priyanka and Nagesh had their hearts closer to home, which happens to be in Dahanu, Palghar district. “Instead of pursuing a mundane job so far away from our home and roots, I thought why not use one’s engineering degree to better understand a produce from the soil of our childhood farm? That’s how I began researching chikoo,” explains Priyanka. “I realised that while jelly and squash were not a viable creation from chikoo, its natural ability to ferment would lend itself beautifully to wine.”

THIS WAS WAY BACK IN 2009-10

That’s how the seed of the idea gradually began to take shape. Other fruits from Maharashtra were included in her research too. “The idea was to harness the potential of the horticulture in this region and look at a viable business,” she says. "A business that would give due credit to the growers of the delicious and varied fruit we all love and enjoy."

And so Fruzzanté was born. A brand that harnesses the alcoholic content in fruits to churn out wines of assorted hues.

BACK TO THE BEGINNING

Nagesh loved the idea, after all, he was no stranger to the bounties of the area. In fact, as children, both Priyanka and he had explored it together. “From nursery to higher studies we have been together,” he grins. “Somewhere around high school, friendship turned to romance. And we knew that one day we would marry.”

While reams of poetry have been dedicated to the magic of opposite poles attracting, the compatibility enjoyed by this couple is ample proof that like personalities have much to share as well. “We enjoy similar things in life,” he says. “Farming, swimming, barbecues and the love and warmth of family. Instead of going to a fancy restaurant, we’d rather cook up a storm at home.”

What’s more, with Fruzzanté, the newly married duo had a common goal to pursue. “It’s like we had both found our calling in life,” she says.

As the wise and the old say, nothing of value comes easy. “From research to technology to getting the permits and sourcing the fruit from farmers, everything had to be built from scratch. But we knew that what we were building would be a value-addition in the larger scheme of things,” expresses Nagesh.

As of today, both she and Nagesh are Joint Managing Directors. While she looks after the creative aspect of the business, Nagesh looks after the technical side. From farm to winery to home, it’s a hectic but fulfilling life.

"From nursery to higher studies we have been together. Somewhere around high school, friendship turned to romance. And we knew that one day we would marry"

- Nagesh

THE MANTRAS OF A MARRIAGE

• Shared dreams and values
• Trust
• Spending time together
• Staying focused on the larger picture

Priyanka Save and Nagesh Pai at the chikoo farm

MANAGING HOME, HEARTH AND A BUSINESS

“Oh, it’s not that tough to manage,” smiles Priyanka when asked about how they manage to keep the wheels of home and office turning smoothly. “Both of us plan way ahead and delegate work. Plus, our little boy Abeer (four-and- half-years old) accompanies us everywhere. He enjoys being at the farm and winery,” she shares.

It helps that over three decades of togetherness have smoothened out most of the creases in the couple’s understanding of their partner. “If he’s driving, I change gears. It’s as seamless a process as that,” she says.

While the camaraderie is enviable, what would the duo term the cornerstone of a marriage? “Trust,” says Nagesh. “When you have that, it all falls into place.”

So how do the two resolve fights when they happen? “Honestly, the differences of opinion are far and few in between,” says Nagesh. “But when they do, we talk things through. The trick is to know when to stop escalating an argument.”

BRINGING UP BABY

Like all young couples, parenting is an important arena of teamwork for Priyanka and Nagesh as well. “From the outset, we have treated him like an adult instead of a child, in the sense that we answer his questions patiently and are open in our communication with him. At the same time, we believe in giving him the freedom of choice when it comes to little things like food and clothes,” shares Priyanka. “That apart, he’s a disciplined kid because we firmly believe that discipline is the key to big things in life.”

Besides, both parents are all for allowing him the freedom, time and space to learn at his own pace, come up with queries, observe, imbibe and absorb. “A considerable part of a child’s education goes beyond the classroom. We don’t want him to miss out on that,” explains the fond mamma.

STAYING COMMITTED TO THE DREAM

Now into the fourth year of its existence, Fruzzanté is clearly going from strength to strength, supplying wine to assorted parts of Maharashtra and Goa. What advice would the duo give aspiring entrepreneurs? “First, understand the business you are getting into, research its possibilities and challenges inside out,” says Nagesh. “Second, stay positive even when confronted by the competition. When you come up against road blocks, it’s all too tempting to chuck it all up and return to the safety net of a job. Entrepreneurship requires folks to be stronger than that, though. Be confident and consistent and one day you will make it,” he rounds off.