"I quit my Fortune 500 director job at 33 to chase my passion for wine!"
Q. You are known as India’s most qualified and professional expert in wine, spirits, and beer. Can you tell us about the journey that led you to specialize in this field?
At the age of 33, I decided to quit my job as the Director of National Sales for a NASDAQ-listed Fortune 500 company to reinvent my career. I was looking to pursue a field that would do justice to my skill set and that’s when I came across the wine industry in India which was still in a nascent stage.
While there were no qualified wine experts in the country, I saw a huge opportunity for growth and success for both wine and wine professionals. Taking a futuristic stance, I went to London and studied at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust to complete the early stages of my education, which included their flagship course- Diploma in Wines and Spirits.
I soon discovered my passion for wine and realised that I had a flare for communicating about it. So I decided to apply for the Master of Wine program at The Institute of Masters of Wine. In 2016, I became India’s first Master of Wine, after ten years of studying the subject.
However, I wanted to expand my scope further and establish myself as a beacon of knowledge in the rapidly transforming Indian alcobev industry. So over the last few years, I have completed the highest WSET certifications in spirits and sake, along with their course in beer, to become the country’s most qualified beverage expert.
Q. How has the wine and spirits industry in India evolved over the years, and where do you see it heading in the next 5 to 10 years?
India is the third-largest market for alcoholic beverages in the world. In recent years we have seen a significant shift in consumer preferences toward authenticity, sustainability, and storytelling. People no longer just want to grab a drink—they’re looking for experiences and connections.
Over the next decade, alcohol will keep moving up the premiumisation curve, with a growing interest in beverages that offer variety in terms of styles, such as craft beer, innovative cocktails and wine etc.
Q. As a wine educator, what do you believe are the most common misconceptions people have about wine, and how do you address them in your teachings?
One of the biggest misconceptions people have is about the correct temperature to drink wine. People tend to have white wines too cold, which masks their flavours and makes them taste harsh and acidic.
Similarly, people drink red wine too warm, accentuating the bitterness of tannins and the alcohol burn. The correct drinking temperature is 8-13°C for white wines and rosé, and 15-18°C for red wines.
Second misconception is that the older the wine is, the better it tastes. A very small percentage of wines produced worldwide are meant to be aged, giving them complex flavours and a smooth texture. The vast majority of wines are meant to be had young and fresh.
So don’t store your everyday drinking wines for longer, or buy their older vintages, thinking that they will taste better. Choose a younger vintage and make sure you finish your wine within six months of buying it.
Q. What are some of the key trends in the global wine, spirits, and beer industries that you’re particularly excited about?
One of the key trends is a growing awareness regarding responsible drinking and a rise in demand for low-alcohol drinks driven by health-conscious consumers.
Many of our videos that explore topics like healthy drinking habits or how to refuse a drink at a party have gone viral on Instagram and we have realised that Indian consumers too are now showing an inclination towards drinking responsibly and improving their lifestyle.
I am excited to be at the forefront of this trend in India as I am a huge advocate of moderate alcohol consumption.
Q. What has been your biggest learning experience, and how did it shape your approach to business?
Act upon your ideas because no one gets remembered for what they didn’t do. An idea, I believe, is like an atom that hits a thousand different people at the same time.
It doesn’t belong to the person who thought it first, but to the one who acts upon it first. If you are unsure of what to do, don’t be afraid to try many different things. Some of your ideas may fail, but you’ll find success eventually.
Q. Looking to the future, what new projects or initiatives are you excited about, and what kind of impact would you like to have on the wine and spirits industry?
I have launched a very special project this year; The Holland House, which expands my entrepreneurial scope into the sphere of hospitality. This French chateau-style luxury mansion in the heart of Nashik offers discerning guests a 360-degree world-class wine experience with visits to nearby wineries, homestays, private lunches, educational tasting tours and indulgent wine dinners.
Meanwhile, I will continue to share my knowledge and understanding of wine, be a proud ambassador of India’s alcobev market and ensure that India has a voice at wine and beverage tables across the world.
BIO
Sonal C Holland is the world’s first and only Master of Wine from India and the most qualified alcobev professional in the country. An award-winning broadcaster and educator, Sonal is a highly sought-after wines and spirits communicator with diverse entrepreneurial ventures through which she has been simplifying, demystifying and revolutionising the drinking culture in India for the past two decades.
Her namesake Sonal C Holland Wine & Spirit Academy is India’s foremost alcobev institute, making world-class wines, spirits and beer education affordable and accessible for Indian professionals and enthusiasts. Sonal is an organiser of trade shows and the India Wines And Spirits Award, the country’s most authoritative wines and spirits competition. She was recently appointed as Wine Consultant by Air India.
Named among the 100 Most Influential People in Indian luxury, Sonal is one of the most followed alcobev personalities on social media worldwide, with over a million followers across various digital platforms. A firm advocate of moderate consumption, she aims to enhance Indian consumers’ drinking experience by dispensing etiquette to enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly.
Interviewed By Shivani
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