Sonal C Holland,
Master of Wine - India’s Most Qualified Alcobev Professional

Meet

Sonal C Holland, MW

India’s only Master of Wine and a leading expert in the alcobev industry. Sonal C Holland MW has spent over two decades making wine and beverage culture more accessible in India. In 2016, she became the first Indian to earn the prestigious Master of Wine title, one of the highest accolades in the wine world. She is the Founder of Sonal Holland Academy, offering affordable, world-class education in wine, spirits, and beer. As Chairperson and Founder of the India Wine & Spirits Awards, she leads one of the country’s most credible platforms for recognising excellence in the industry. Through Sohowines Consulting, Sonal advises global and Indian brands, including ITC Hotels and Air India, and curates premium beverage experiences for top corporates, clubs, and networking groups like YPO and EO. A certified expert in spirits, saké, and beer, she is a recipient of the WSET Outstanding Alumni Award and has been named among the Top 100 Most Influential People in Indian Luxury. With over a million Instagram followers, Sonal is one of the most followed wine professionals on social media.

One in a Billion

This book is for anyone at a crossroads in life, questioning if it’s too late to start over. It’s a reminder to carve your own path instead of waiting for others to lead and to realise that success isn’t where you stop, it’s where you rise higher. I promise you this will uncork something powerful within you.

Qualifications

shakeshake

Wine

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines

WSET Level 4 Award in Wines

Master of Wine

mezcalmezcal

Spirit

WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits

WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits

WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits

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Sake

WSET Level 1 Award in Sake

WSET Level 2 Award in Sake

WSET Level 3 Award in Sake

beerbeer

Beer

WSET Level 1 Award in Sake

Awards & Recognition

Outstanding Alumni Award

By UK-based Wine And Spirit Education Trust in partnership with JancisRobinson.com in 2024

Gérard Basset Prize

‘Ambassador of the Year’ at the Wine Travel Awards 2023–2024

Achiever’s Award

from The Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology, and Applied Nutrition, Mumbai

Wine Connoisseur of the Year

in the ‘Food and Beverage’ Category at Navbharat Times - Navbharat Influencer Awards 2024

India Gourmet Luxe Award

for Indian Gourmand 2024

Best Beverage Expert of the Year

2023 - Food Connoisseurs India Awards

Women Achievers Award

by the Indian Hospitality Council in 2022

40 Over 40

list of women achievers by She ThePeople in 2020

Innovative Woman of Substance Award

at the India Leadership Conclave in 2019.

Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Indian

Luxury by LuxeBook from 2015-2025

Awards & Recognition

Ventures

SoHoWines Consulting

Social Media Presence

The Holland House

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