She quit being sales director in a Fortune 500 firm to start selling wine around India. Meet Sonal Holland, Master of Wine, India’s first and only Master of Wine.
00:00I quit a top corporate job in a multinational Fortune 500 company to become a Master of Wine.
00:15The Master of Wine is a global title which is awarded by the Institute of Masters of Wine based in London, UK.
00:30My ultimate career goal was to have a corner office and be the CEO of a company.
00:40At the time I was travelling with my partner who is now my husband and because he is a British national
01:04we used to frequently travel to the UK to meet family and friends, spend several evenings over food and wine of course
01:14and I sort of became exposed to the culture of wine overseas across the western markets.
01:21There was nobody here in India that was involved in the communication, education, consultancy and advocacy of wines.
01:40This is a very serious profession all across the world particularly in the developed markets
01:45and I kind of took that vision that there would be a need for qualified wine professionals in India one day
01:54and I thought why not me?
02:01Are you crazy? Why are you quitting your job? This one is paying you well and you have a great career path lined up ahead of you
02:09and why wine? Who cares about wine? Who knows anything about wines?
02:13How will it appear as a woman if you are seen promoting an alcoholic beverage?
02:23That is when I decided to turn into an entrepreneur in wines.
02:39I was a little nervous because I knew that in terms of income there wouldn't be any at least for the next couple of years.
02:52Initially this title started off just as a way of recognising people of unparalleled expertise in the wine trade only based out of the UK
03:07but over the last 65 years of its being in existence it has now grown to being a globally highly acknowledged wine title
03:16so much so that it is regarded to be one of the most respected titles in wine around the world.
03:37My marriage anniversary, my daughter's third birthday, my best friend's wedding.
03:52I used to often think my daughter will grow up and not remember who I am or not recognise me as her mother.
04:00The Master of Wine examination is also that much more difficult because it is a self-study programme.
04:09They don't actually teach you how to become a Master of Wine.
04:12It is a journey that you embark on your own where you sort of travel all around the world.
04:16You meet winemakers, you attend trade shows, you read an enormous amount of books.
04:21You basically make an investment in self to come up to a level of knowledge and tasting skill where you are able to demonstrate through these examinations.
04:51You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life.
05:04Oh, see that girl, watch that scene, digging, dancing queen.
