After looking at this book sitting on my shelf for a year and trying a few times to finish it, I concede that it just isn't a good fit for me. I often struggle with autobiographies unless they make me pee my pants with laughter or are so fascinating that they immediately suck me in. I had expected a kind of James Herriot type novel, and it partly was warm and funny, but I am surrounded by tree-changers and their real life antics so found it a bit slow going. So totally a personal preference issue. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book, even though this one just wasn't quite my cup of tea.

Jeff and Todd moved from Sydney where they were corporate employees, sick of the rush and bustle of the city, to the Hunter Valley vineyards. They bought one hundred acres called Block Eight, with dams, grape vines, an old house and sheds – their intention; a B&B reminiscent of Maggie Beer’s property in the Barossa Valley in South Australia.

It didn’t matter that they knew nothing about what they were doing – they made mistakes and fumbled their way through the months and years. And by their sides were various animals; goats, pigs, kangaroos, snakes and more. But their pet goats – Winston and Wesley – and finally the little pig who received the most devotion of all – Helga – made their lives complete. The B&B took a long time to come to fruition – but their day to day lives were richer than ever before.

Thirty Thousand Bottles of Wine and a Pig called Helga by Aussie author Todd Alexander is an incredibly different look at life; making dreams come true; and living the dream. Set in an area I’m very familiar with – as the book is set on my doorstep, so to speak – I recognized the majority of places mentioned. An interesting memoir which I recommend.

With thanks to Simon & Schuster AU and NetGalley for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Australia and Netgalley for an ARC in return for my honest review.

Many Australians fly to Fiji for an island wedding, but no we lived in Fiji and flew to Sydney for our wedding weekend in Pokolbin. This is the reason I requested this book, no expectations purely sentimental........ Thank goodness for sentiments.

Thank you Todd (and Jeff ) for sharing your tree change with so much wit, energy and honesty. You had me laughing out loud and completely engrossed in your wonderful wonderful book.

It is so easy to feel safe with a life of beaurocracy and regular pay days and whilst a safe life doesn’t push the limits and enable a life full of passion it doesn’t require jumping towards fear, often without a life jacket. Thank you for showing that yes it is really hard work and scary but if you put your heart, Soul and mind into it , it could also is be beyond rewarding and and lead you to a life of passion and complete fulfilment.

Todd you have reminded lucky readers what life is really about and those in your life as so lucky to be part of it. I shamelessly admit to stalking you on Facebook to look for photos of Helga, Winston and Wesley and they are as gorgeous as you describe them!,

Finally I loved the recipes at the end of the book. You have inspired me in more ways than you could ever imagine. Thank you for your absolutely awesome book. I hope one day when we are back in the state to pop in and purchase some semillon (and meet Helga).

Put this to the top of your TBR stat.