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. 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 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.

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.

About the Author
Patricia Atkinson has already been the subject of a Channel 4 documentary and there is further TV interest in bringing her life up to date. She has featured in interviews in The Times, Observer and the Evening Standard, and on Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time. She owns and runs the award-winning Clos d'Yvigne vineyard in the beautiful Bordeaux wine region of France. Patricia Atkinson is also the author of La Belle Saison, her second book about living and working the land in South West France.

Reviews
[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 *



Book Information
ISBN 9780099443162
Author Patricia Atkinson
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Arrow Books Ltd
Publisher Cornerstone
Weight(grams) 246g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 21mm