Release Date: February 10, 2026
About The Book:
Trapped in an abusive marriage and a society that demands her silence, Namratha knows survival comes at a cost. However, when a violent encounter nearly claims both her and her daughter’s lives, fear becomes a spark—and she is done being afraid. Armed with fluent French, a background in hospitality, and a spirit too fierce to break, she boards a plane to pursue an MBA in Bordeaux, France, temporarily leaving her daughter with her parents for safety. In the midst of the bucolic vineyards and ancient châteaux, Nam discovers the magical world of wine and winemaking. As she heals and reinvents herself, she hitchhikes through the vineyards of Margaux, masters the art of wine tasting in Italy, unlocks hidden cellars beneath Paris, and witnesses high-stakes wine auctions in London. But even as her name rises in the world of winemaking, a shadow follows—her husband’s relentless grip and the battle to reunite with her daughter.
Vineyard Melody is a breathtaking tale of hope, survival and transformation—a true story of a woman who traded chains for courage, fear for passion, and a life defined by others for one written by her own hand.
About The Author:
Namratha Stanley is the author of Vineyard Melody, a memoir that chronicles her remarkable personal and professional transformation. Born in Bangalore, India, she spent over a decade in a restrictive environment before making the bold decision to rebuild her life. In 2017, she moved to Bordeaux, France, where she earned a master’s degree in Wine Marketing and Management—marking the beginning of a new chapter. In 2020, Namratha founded Wine Equation, a Bordeaux-based merchant company offering a curated
portfolio of wines and services. That same year, she launched her signature wine brand, Solicantus, now distributed across five countries. Her journey from an abused Indian housewife to entrepreneur in the heart of France’s wine industry has drawn international recognition, including features in Forbes, Decanter, and
many other magazines.
Namratha currently serves as Program Director at INSEEC (Omnes), the very business school where she once studied. She also dedicates time to mentoring women and students, drawing from her own experience navigating major personal and career transitions. Through her business, she supports education
initiatives for underprivileged children in India—believing deeply in the power of education as a tool for freedom.
She lives in Bordeaux with her daughter and two cats, continuing to write and speak about resilience, entrepreneurship, and the beautiful complexities of starting over.More on the website:www.namrathastanley.com
Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namratha_stanley_author
Book Blurbs:
A story of resilience and reinvention. A woman who dared to dream beyond the borders she was born into and reinvent herself in the sun-soaked vineyards of France. A gorgeously told story to sip and savour.” — Janice MacLeod, author of Paris Letters
“From a restrictive and abusive marriage to the enchanting world of wine and vineyards, Namratha Stanley’s memoir is a powerful story of resilience, strength, and the unbreaking love of a mother.” — Lyn Liao Butler, bestselling author of The Fourth Daughter
“Namratha Stanley humanizes the wine industry, offering a peek into the darkest cellars, historic vineyards, and esteemed auctions. But the delight of such a life is tinged with trauma and struggle, which she ultimately, happily, triumphs through.” — Amy Thomas, author of Paris, My Sweet and Brooklyn In Love
“What price would you pay for love? In Vineyard Melody, Namratha Stanley searches for freedom as she grapples with her controlling husband and her in-laws’ expectations and strict rules. Trapped in traditional married life in India, her wings were clipped—but when she immerses herself in Bordeaux’s wine community, she sprouts a vibrant new set of feathers and learns how to soar on her own. Moving and inspiring, Stanley proves it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and live life on your own terms.” — Kristin Vuković , award-winning author of The Cheesemaker’s Daughter
“All expat stories I know are tales of radical reinvention—Nam’s more than most. She has found her voice through winemaking. Readers will admire her courage and passion.” — Elizabeth Bard, author of Lunch in Paris, Picnic in Provence, and Dinner Chez Moi
Bloggers On Tour:
Dec. 3rd- Books and Coffee MX https://instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx
Dec. 10th- Marilyn Goncalves https://instagram.com/marilynjgon
Dec. 14th- Reading Is My Remedy https://instagram.com/reading_is_my_remedy
Dec. 16th – Tammy Reads https://instagram.com/tammyreads62
Dec. 17th – Books Told by Courtney https://www.instagram.com/bookstoldbycourtney
Dec. 18th-Dilsee Reads https://www.instagram.com/dilsee_reads
Dec. 19th-Plains Reading https://instagram.com/plains_reading
Dec. 28th- Sarahs Bookish Reviews https://instagram.com/sarahs.bookish.reviews
Jan. 7th- Dana Loves Books https://www.instagram.com/dana.loves.books
Jan. 7th- CMT Loves Wine and Books https://instagram.com/cmtloveswineandbooks
Jan. 7th- Rozier Reads and Wine https://instagram.com/rozierreadsandwine
Jan. 7th- One More Exclamation https://instagram.com/onemoreexclamation
Jan. 10th -Reading On The Brink https://www.instagram.com/readingonthebrink
Jan. 15th- Nature Books and Coffee https://instagram.com/nature.books.and.coffee
Jan. 17th- Books Love And Understanding https://instagram.com/booksloveandunderstanding
Jan. 20th- Coffee Break Book Reviews https://instagram.com/coffee.break.book.reviews
Jan. 20th- Nissa The Bookworm https://instagram.com/nissa_the.bookworm
