Conrad Pune’s third edition of its signature monthly literary and experiential
series, ‘Chapters by Conrad’, unfolded into an unforgettable and inspiring evening of storytelling
featuring Sonal Holland, India’s first and only Master of Wine. As Sonal presented her recently
launched memoir, One in a Billion, she shared fascinating anecdotes from her extraordinary journey
that has taken her from the bustling streets of Mumbai to the vineyards of the world. Sonal took
guests through her extraordinary journey of defying convention, chasing meaning, and ultimately
creating history in a country that was still learning to sip wine.
Held at the hotel’s award-winning Asian restaurant, MASU, the evening brought together an elegant
gathering of the city’s finest culture connoisseurs, journalists, wine aficionados and tastemakers, all
united to celebrate the art of storytelling and passing behind every pour.
In an engaging conversation moderated by Mr. Abhishek Sahai, General Manager, Conrad Pune,
Sonal opened up about her incredible and inspiring ascent in the world of wine, from breaking
stereotypes, demystifying the myths surrounding the wine industry to becoming one of the world’s
most respected wine experts. Sonal reflected on the turning point when she left her high-powered
corporate career at thirty-three to pursue a passion that few in India understood. “Everyone thought
I was crazy to leave a stable job for wine, but I was chasing meaning, not money,”
She also shared a glimpse into her once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including dining with Chateau
Lafite at the world’s oldest wine estate in Italy, tasting vintages steeped in centuries of history, and
how those moments shaped her philosophy on balance, purpose and the importance of setting clear
goal and following it with all your passion.
The session concluded with a lively Q&A, followed by an exclusive wine-tasting experience curated
by Sonal Holland in association with Grover Zampa. Guests were treated to a selection of fine red
and white wines paired with a bespoke high-tea menu, crafted by Conrad Pune’s culinary team to
complement the evening’s flavourful narratives. The setting offered an intimate, elegant ambience
that beautifully complemented the essence of the evening – thoughtful conversations over fine wine
and even finer company.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Mr. Abhishek Sahai, General Manager, Conrad Pune, shared,
“At Conrad Pune, our vision with ‘Chapters by Conrad’ has always been to curate experiences that go
beyond the expected, where stories, ideas and inspiration come together. Having Sonal Holland with
us for the third edition was truly special, her story is one of purpose and persistence, much like the
Conrad spirit itself.”
Speaking about the experience, Sonal Holland added, “It was such a delight to be part of ‘Chapters
by Conrad’. The evening felt like a celebration of dreams, dialogue, and stories that persevered.
Sharing my journey over conversations, laughter, and a glass of wine was truly special, I was touched
by the audience’s curiosity and warmth. And, of course, delighted to raise a glass to storytelling at its
finest, as like great wines, stories only get richer with time.”
With each edition, ‘Chapters by Conrad’ continues to build a space that celebrates voices from
diverse walks of life, where literature, art, and ideas come together in a setting that inspires
connection and reflection. At Conrad Pune’s flagship cultural platform, it continues to celebrate
authors and changemakers who inspire creativity and thought through their craft. The evening
reaffirmed the hotel’s commitment to curating immersive, soulful, and luxurious experiences that
stay long after the last sip.
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