World’s only and first feni cellar opens in Goa

The world’s first feni cellar opens in Goa this month. You will find this cosy cellar sitting in the heart of an old distillery and cashew orchard in Cansaulim, South Goa.
Once you make your way toward the cellar, you will find this new tasting room ‘Beco das Garrafas’, which literally translates into ‘the alley of bottles’. Tucked beautifully in the centre of a spice plantation, the air here carries the rich aroma of cashews, which likely emanates from after feni is being poured or because of the presence of cashew orchard outside. Whatever reason it might be, you get a perfect ambience to imbibe into the feni mood.

Hansel Vaz, 35, is the man behind this feni cellar, who hails from the ‘first generation of feni’. His idea behind this creation is to involve both tourists and the new generation of Goan into a unique experience.
Feni got the GI tag in 2009, and this cellar is one of the efforts to contemporise this famous drink. The place is also a visual treat with around 1200 multicoloured garrafoes, which means huge glass bottles, filled with feni. Till now, there were families that would traditionally stock feni for their own consumption in one or two garrafoes. But now, visitors are welcomed to make their way to this cellar, understand its history, and taste three flavours of feni, such as cashew, dukshiri (a type of root) and coconut.
From the lime coloured walls and garrafoes to double-layered tiles on the roof, everything in this feni cellar have been sourced from old, traditional Goan homes by Vaz. So, when in Goa, plan a visit here and experience all the buzz first-hand.