One In a Billion: Becoming India’s First Master of Wine

About the Book A STORY OF SELF-TRANSFORMATION AND HEARTENING TALE OF ACHIEVING ONE’S DREAMS. When Sonal C Holland left her high-paying corporate job, she knew she what she didn’t want—a boring nine-to-five—but not exactly what she wanted. Enter wine, a drink enjoyed only by the elite in India, but with immense potential for growth. Wine communication and teaching would play to Sonal’s strengths as a communicator and a networker, she and her husband Andrew rightly identified. The goal was set: to become India’s first wine communicator by winning the title of Master of Wine, the highest certification in the wine world and held by barely 400 people around the world. And no one in India. Thus began the long and tumultuous journey towards the title, with hours spent poring over books on a motel bed, a scruffy bus ride across the Australian summerscape, birthdays away from family and friends and a little daughter—all towards an almost unattainable goal. In One in a Billion, Sonal narrates the story of being from a middle-class family in Mumbai to becoming the first Master of Wine from India and being instrumental in making the drink popular in the country. Along the way, we get an overview of wine tasting, the Indian wine market, the technicalities of wine production as well as fascinating nuggets about wine. About the Author In 2016, Sonal C Holland earned the world’s most prestigious and respected title in the field of wine—the Master of Wine—becoming the first Indian to do so. Since then, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian wine industry. An award-winning broadcaster and one of the most influential voices in the alcobev space, Sonal has dedicated over two decades to simplifying and revolutionising the drinking culture and popularising wine in India. Today, she is among the most widely followed wine and spirits personalities on social media, inspiring a new generation of enthusiasts and professionals alike. Through the Sonal Holland Academy, she has made world-class wine, spirits and beer education both accessible and affordable for the growing community of beverage professionals and aficionados. She is also the founder and chairperson of the India Wine and Spirits Awards—the country’s most authoritative competition of its kind, offering Indian consumers a trusted guide to exceptional drinking experiences. A lifelong learner and passionate advocate for continuous professional development, Sonal has expanded her expertise beyond wine, securing global certifications in spirits, saké and beer. She is committed to advancing knowledge, raising standards and fostering a culture of appreciation for fine beverages in the country. Read more