The Ripening Sun - Hardcover

Atkinson, Patricia

3.85

351 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0712623736 ISBN 13: 9780712623735

Publisher: Century, 2003

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For 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 and 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 hectares, where her Clos d'Yvigne wines have won awards and been adopted by wine merchants throughout the world and where she has been hailed as a superstar by UK wine writers.

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Review:

'a story which will inspire many' -- Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, 3rd April, 2003

'inspirational reading' -- The Week, 3rd May, 2003

It's an excellent and enjoyable read' -- Everything France, June 2003

amazing and amusing...unputdownable -- The Lady

remarkable...an extraordinarily affecting read -- Daily Mail

Book Description:

The Ripening Sun plugs directly into the fascination for books by inspirational women who have dared to live their dream, such as Extra Virgin and The Olive Farm. An inspiring autobiography, set in romantic France, to be enjoyed by fans of wine and success stories worldwide.

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