In 2016, Sonal Holland made history by becoming India’s first Master of Wine—a distinction considered the pinnacle of expertise in the wine industry. Now, after two decades in the field, she shares her story in a newly released memoir titled *One in a Billion* (Westland Books). The book traces her professional evolution, interwoven with intimate reflections on family life and motherhood. “I’ve walked a rather unconventional path over the past 20 years,” Sonal says in a phone interview from Mumbai. “This is a deeply personal account of my obsessive pursuit of the Master of Wine title and the many sacrifices it demanded.”

 

Sonal explains that her memoir is written for three primary audiences: those in the wine trade curious about what it takes to earn the Master of Wine designation; consumers who want an insider’s view of the industry—what she fondly calls her “rosé-tinted glasses”; and finally, for anyone contemplating a bold life change or reinvention.

 

Dedicated to her father, whom she calls her “first champion,” the memoir opens on Ganesh Chaturthi in 2016—the day she awaited the results of her Master of Wine exam. She recalls the anxiety of that moment, emphasizing the rarity of the achievement: “Fewer people have become Masters of Wine than have climbed Everest or traveled to space—just over 500 since 1953.” At the time, India’s wine industry was still in its infancy.

 

Raised in a modest home in a Reserve Bank colony in Mumbai, Sonal describes her upbringing as a “typical Maharashtrian childhood.” Her parents held government jobs, and she proudly calls herself a first-generation wine drinker.

 

The memoir also explores her rebellious teenage years, her early career in hospitality, and how she met her husband. In 2006, she quit her corporate job to pursue wine, a calling that struck her like a “lightning bolt.” Searching for the most respected wine credential, she discovered the UK-based Institute of Masters of Wine.

 

At 33, Sonal began her formal wine education. At the same time, she was navigating the challenges of motherhood. After facing significant difficulties with pregnancy, she adopted her daughter in 2009. “When I began my course in 2010, my daughter was just one year old. I’ve missed so many precious milestones,” she shares. Her book dives deep into such emotionally raw moments.

 

*One in a Billion* also features contributions from her sister, mother, stepchildren, and members of the Institute of Masters of Wine. Balancing authorship with her business ventures was a demanding process that took over a year. Still, through her story, Sonal hopes to inspire others searching for a new direction or a bold second act in life.