Description
Book SynopsisFor most people giving up the day job and moving to a beautiful area of France and living off the vines is an impossible but delicious dream. In 1990, Patricia Atkinson and her husband decided to sell up in Britain and emigrate to the Dordogne. Their idea was to buy a house with a few vines attached and employ someone to tend to the wine while they earned their living with some financial consultancy work. There followed a series of disasters: the stock market crashed leaving their small holding as their sole source of income; the first red wine harvest turned to vinegar; and Patricia''s husband returned to Britain, unable to cope with the stress. He never returned. Patricia Atkinson, whose only knowledge of wine up to that moment was ''that it came from a bottle'' and who had not a word of French, was left to salvage their life savings form the vineyards. What follows is a remarkable story of struggle and transformation whereby her tiny 4 hectare plot has become a major estate of 21 he
Trade Review[an] eloquent tale * Citylife *
Remarkable . . . an extraordinarily affecting read -- Carla McKay * Daily Mail *
Enthralling . . . you end up admiring this plucky, warm-hearted woman and lusting to sample her vinous output -- Christopher Hirst * The Independent *
Should be required reading for anyone enjoying the vineyard dream...an impressive human story * Spectator *
Amazing and amusing . . . unputdownable * The Lady *
