Sonal C Holland on the rare wines & treasured objects that tell her story

Sonal C Holland is India’s first and only Master of Wine and the country’s leading voice on wine. Her exceptional palate has been shaped by years of study, travel, and encounters with the people behind the world’s greatest bottles. From tasting historic vintages to sharing rare wines with their makers, she has experienced treasures that money alone cannot buy.  

What makes her sought after is the ability to pair exacting judgment with curiosity, warmth and an instinct for storytelling. Here, she opens her collection and shares the memories behind the wines and objects she cherishes most.  

1.Château Lafite Rothschild 1868  

Château Lafite Rothschild, a legendary First Growth (Premier Cru Classé) wine from the Pauillac region of Bordeaux, is among the world’s most revered wines, so being invited to dine at the estate for its 150 years of Rothschild ownership was an extraordinary honour. We tasted exceptional vintages spanning a century and a half, including the 1868, from the very year the family acquired Lafite and the oldest wine I have ever drunk. To experience it where it was made, in the company of Baron Éric de Rothschild and Saskia de Rothschild, was unforgettable. 

Château Haut-Brion 1995

Haut-Brion holds a special place among Bordeaux’s First Growths, and a bottle with three decades behind it deserves an evening of its own. I admire the 1995 for the harmony the estate describes between its fine structure and the complex character of its Graves soil. This is the kind of wine I would share with people who appreciate the beauty of a mature Bordeaux.  

Château Ausone 2008

I treasure this Ausone for the extraordinary place behind it: just seven hectares of vines set into the limestone slopes of Saint-Émilion. Cabernet Franc gives the wine its depth and mineral character, while Merlot brings grace and softness. The 2008 is a bottle I would open slowly, giving everyone at the table time to discover why Ausone is so coveted.   

 Masseto 2013

Masseto is one of Italy’s most coveted wines, prized by collectors for the extraordinary Merlot grown on its blue clay hillside in Bolgheri. My 2013 has the richness and velvety texture I associate with Masseto, lifted by freshness and a long, elegant finish. It is a bottle I treasure for the rare pleasure it promises when the right moment arrives.  

Harlan Estate

Harlan Estate has an almost mythical reputation among Napa Valley collectors, and its private allocation makes a bottle exceptionally difficult to obtain. I had the rare pleasure of tasting the 1994, 2001, 2015 and 2021 vintages with Will Harlan. Experiencing four chapters of the estate story in his company was a privilege I will always remember.  

Vega Sicilia Único 2007

This bottle was a gift from Pablo Álvarez, CEO of Tempos Vega Sicilia, during his visit to India. We hosted him for curated dinners and enjoyed Único, one of Spain’s most famous and treasured wines, alongside other wines from his estates. Revered for its elegance and exceptional ageing, this 2007 also brings back the pleasure of those evenings spent together.  

Don Melchor 2021

Don Melchor 2021 was named the No. 1 wine of 2024 by Wine Spectator, a landmark moment for Chilean wine. Its 35th vintage affirmed the reputation of Puente Alto as a home of world class Cabernet Sauvignon. I had the pleasure of tasting it with Enrique Tirado, the winemaker who has guided Don Melchor for decades. Hearing him speak about the vineyard and the wine made that glass all the more memorable.  

Allan Scott Effervesce Méthode Traditionnelle 2011

This remarkable ocean-cellared sparkling wine spent nine years ageing beneath the waters of the ancient river valleys of Marlborough Sounds. Allan Scott handed it to me personally on my recent visit to New Zealand. It’s unusual journey makes it rare; the generosity with which it was shared makes it one of my most treasured bottles.  

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2007

Comtes de Champagne is Taittinger at its most refined: a rare cuvée made entirely from Chardonnay grown in five Grand Cru villages. The 2007 brings together delicate bubbles, citrus freshness and a lingering mineral finish. I would save this bottle for a celebration that calls for quiet elegance, when the Champagne itself can become part of the memory.  

EuroCave wine cabinet

My EuroCave holds wines I am saving for future celebrations, alongside bottles that remind me of places and people. It gives them the steady conditions they need to mature. Whenever I open its door, I find myself choosing both a wine and the story I want to share.  

Zalto glasses

I reach for my Zalto glasses when I want to give a wine my full attention. So light and delicate in the hand, they bring me closer to its aromas and texture. Even after years of tasting professionally, the right glass can make discovering a wine feel new again.  

Riedel Boa decanter

My Riedel Boa is both a decanter and a piece of theatre. Its sculptural curves make a beautiful centrepiece, while pouring a special wine into it builds anticipation around the table. I love the moment when everyone pauses to watch before the first glass is served.