Proust Q&A: Ajoy Shaw

Ajoy Shaw is the chief winemaker at Sula Vineyards in Nashik, Maharashtra. Sula is the largest producer of Indian wines and exports to over 22 countries worldwide. Formerly a biotechnologist, Shaw has worked with Sula since its beginnings in 1997 and has experienced 16 harvests in India, two in California and one in Bordeaux. He lives in Nashik and talks to db about his love of Tintin and dislike of liars.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Going about doing my daily work and enjoying the little things in life gives me the perfect happiness. A glass of good wine, friends, family and good food all add to it.

What is your greatest fear? 

My greatest fear at work is accidents that can affect the quality of the wine.

Which living person do you most admire?

My father, who has brought me up to be the person I am.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I don’t remember indulging in any kind of extravagance.

What is your current state of mind? 

Full of thoughts, yet peaceful.

What is the quality you most like in a woman? 

Simplicity and understanding.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

Learning is the greatest love of my life and I believe that the day I stop learning, I will be dead.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“Basically”, “I feel”.

When and where were you happiest?

I was the happiest when I was in school with classmates and friends.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

To be more organized.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Identifying a wine to the region just by its aroma!

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being sane in this overcomplicated world.

Where would you most like to live?

In a farmhouse in a vineyard.

What is your most treasured possession?

My experience, which nobody can take away from me.

What is your most marked characteristic?

A good listener.

Who is your favourite writer?

Not any one in particular – Eliyahu Goldratt, P. G. Wodehouse, Michael Crichton and Fritjof Capra are some writers I enjoyed reading.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Tintin.

What is it that you most dislike?

Blatant lies.

What is your greatest regret?

No regrets.

What is your motto?

The best is yet to come.

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests and what three wines would you serve?

My ideal dinner party guests would be my friends or family and would serve 2014 Sula Sauvignon Blanc, a 2006 or 2007 Côte Rotie and a 1995 Vintage Port.