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Cultivating Change: Regenerating Land and Love in the Age of Climate Crisis
What will it take to change? Can we resuscitate our relationship with the earth? And with each other?
The emotional journey of a couple regenerating their vineyard in France and rewriting their love story as they experience the impacts of climate change and grapple with ways to deal with them. The book includes physical journeys to Paris, Bordeaux, South Africa, Japan and Italy, and exploration of family dynamics, work life balance, yoga, biodynamics, and personal awakening.
Join Caro as she explores the climate crisis, marriage, yoga, food, biodiversity loss and how to change, in this powerful new memoir.
The emotional journey of a couple regenerating their vineyard in France and rewriting their love story as they experience the impacts of climate change and grapple with ways to deal with them. The book includes physical journeys to Paris, Bordeaux, South Africa, Japan and Italy, and exploration of family dynamics, work life balance, yoga, biodynamics, and personal awakening.
Join Caro as she explores the climate crisis, marriage, yoga, food, biodiversity loss and how to change, in this powerful new memoir.
- GenresFrance
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2023
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Caro Feely
13 books16 followersCaro Feely is a published author, organic farmer, and yoga teacher. She is an engaging speaker and experienced virtual event facilitator.
Her first four books Grape Expectations, Saving our Skins, Vineyard Confessions (originally titled Glass Half Full), and Wine: the Essential Guide, were published by Summersdale. Find out the latest news on Caro’s books due out this year at Caro Feely Author Website .
Caro and her husband Sean run an organic farm and vineyard in South West France where you can stay in beautiful ecological accommodation and attend wine and yoga classes Chateau Feely . Caro also runs walking tours, wine tours and a certified wine school FrenchWine Adventures .
Caro is passionate about the environment, family dynamics, organic farming, wine, and in more recent years, yoga. These threads, and climate change, feature strongly in her current work.
There are two books next up on Caro’s publication roster, ‘Cultivating Change’, a standalone that can also be considered the 4th in the Vineyard series and ‘Saving Sophia’, a standalone book that can also be considered a prequel to ‘Grape Expectations’.
Caro is a registered Yoga Alliance yoga teacher, a WSET* wine educator and a professional with many years of workshop, presentation, training, and management experience with multinational companies including IBM and Accenture. She has a Master’s degree in economics (cum laude); and a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in commerce and economics.
Visit Caro Feely Author Website for more on how to invite her to your book club meeting or another event.
Her first four books Grape Expectations, Saving our Skins, Vineyard Confessions (originally titled Glass Half Full), and Wine: the Essential Guide, were published by Summersdale. Find out the latest news on Caro’s books due out this year at Caro Feely Author Website .
Caro and her husband Sean run an organic farm and vineyard in South West France where you can stay in beautiful ecological accommodation and attend wine and yoga classes Chateau Feely . Caro also runs walking tours, wine tours and a certified wine school FrenchWine Adventures .
Caro is passionate about the environment, family dynamics, organic farming, wine, and in more recent years, yoga. These threads, and climate change, feature strongly in her current work.
There are two books next up on Caro’s publication roster, ‘Cultivating Change’, a standalone that can also be considered the 4th in the Vineyard series and ‘Saving Sophia’, a standalone book that can also be considered a prequel to ‘Grape Expectations’.
Caro is a registered Yoga Alliance yoga teacher, a WSET* wine educator and a professional with many years of workshop, presentation, training, and management experience with multinational companies including IBM and Accenture. She has a Master’s degree in economics (cum laude); and a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in commerce and economics.
Visit Caro Feely Author Website for more on how to invite her to your book club meeting or another event.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 30, 2023
I always love reading the books by Caro Feely. Disclosure: I definitely have a soft spot for SW France, and I’ve chatted a few times with Caro. I received an advance reader copy but I’m not just log-rolling when iItell you I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I always learn new things from Caro (5 Tibetan Rites, a fab outdoor sculpture by Daniel Monnier) and she explains difficult concepts quite easily (organic vs biodynamic, and biodiversity, botrytis, etc). The biggest compliment I can give is that I plan to buy a copy to give to my Mom to help her understand the wine world I love so much.
But mostly it’s a fun and enjoyable read, and a brief escape to a special part of the world.
But mostly it’s a fun and enjoyable read, and a brief escape to a special part of the world.
June 19, 2023
Another instalment in Caro Feely’s wonderful moving abroad series-but it’s also so much more.
I love moving abroad memoirs, and travel memoirs-this book combines both genres as Caro and Sean moved to a new life in France, and their own vineyard, then, in this 4th book in the series, they go on their travels. They are going for a visit to their birthplace, South Africa. It would be their first trip back to South Africa in 15 years. A much-needed family break, as running the vineyard, wine tasting tours etc. kept them busy, and often under pressure. There are also other trips to e.g. Paris, Italy, and Japan, so this book was right up my street.
At this time, they had been in France over 10 years. Moving to a new life in France. It sounds wonderful. They've worked and worked to build up their winery business. Far from idyllic, it's been hard, and hard on their relationship too. The author is incredibly honest about this, she certainly doesn’t sugar-coat the circumstances. Will they be able to fix things, and finally their moving to a new life will be all they thought it could be?
A lovely mix of a moving to foreign climes and travel memoir, with some hurdles and medical issues too-it had everything. It's interesting, inspiring, powerful, and educational. An excellent read.
I love moving abroad memoirs, and travel memoirs-this book combines both genres as Caro and Sean moved to a new life in France, and their own vineyard, then, in this 4th book in the series, they go on their travels. They are going for a visit to their birthplace, South Africa. It would be their first trip back to South Africa in 15 years. A much-needed family break, as running the vineyard, wine tasting tours etc. kept them busy, and often under pressure. There are also other trips to e.g. Paris, Italy, and Japan, so this book was right up my street.
At this time, they had been in France over 10 years. Moving to a new life in France. It sounds wonderful. They've worked and worked to build up their winery business. Far from idyllic, it's been hard, and hard on their relationship too. The author is incredibly honest about this, she certainly doesn’t sugar-coat the circumstances. Will they be able to fix things, and finally their moving to a new life will be all they thought it could be?
A lovely mix of a moving to foreign climes and travel memoir, with some hurdles and medical issues too-it had everything. It's interesting, inspiring, powerful, and educational. An excellent read.
May 6, 2023
Caro Feely's book Cultivating Change is an interesting dive into growing a family business, growing grapes, making wine and all that entails while juggling family life and marriage. I learned a lot about wine making, the labor, the knowledge and the intricacies of what it takes to adhere to farming organically. She flavors her stories with relatable family life and experiences that keep you engaged.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 25, 2023
This is the fourth book by Feely to take the reader on a journey of adventure, and introspection courtesy of Chateau Feely. It is seasonal, like the organic farm and vineyard, Chateau Feely, owned by Caro Feely and her husband Sean. Now pertinent more than ever to those who, after the pandemic, are questioning their purpose, their relationships, and what we are doing to each other.
In Cultivating Change, Feely provides examples from her own experience, with examples of what to expect when you go out on a limb and follow your dreams. So many people are reevaluating their lives now, and seeking alternatives which include leaving urban environments and their countries to make a living, or retire in countries where land is still affordable. She is a veteran of life transition, consequently knowledge gained from this book is immeasurable if you are thinking about a back to the land change.
A beautiful and honest revelation about what it is like to follow your dream, in this case a French vineyard, which fulfilled a young couples dream, but left the Feely family at the mercy of nature.
The price of the dream, and how it affects relationships within the family, and the bigger ecological picture. she questions her “prioritising business over family”, as the mother of tween daughters, while running a wine school, yoga classes, and conducting various tours.
Caro Feely is a South African by birth, and lived in Ireland with her husband before establishing the family vineyard in the Dordogne region of France. The reader is treated to dynamics of her first return since leaving South Africa. With her family in tow, and experiencing a strained couple relationship. She highlights how the man made environmental issues have affected her natal land.
As someone who earns a living from the land, Feely reflects on the negative effects of GMO’s on health and farming. Her example of changes in South African flora over the years are illuminating. She provides details from environmental conferences she has attended, while sharing the impact of global warming on her business, and the world.
The reader learns the reality of running a wine business and the hard choices that have to be made to rejuvenate a life on the brink of stagnation. She shares her personal expansion, not to mention her innovation, via her adapt of die diversification introducing yoga and online trails to her business model.
A wonderful read that is so satisfying on so many levels. Gastronomic musings to wet the appetite, with geographical insights as to why the foods from those regions taste so good. All washed down with explanations of wine growing in an organic and biodynamic way. The raw descriptions of business challenges for her family and other growers in the area reveal climate change concerns which bring something to the table for everyone.
Cultivating Change is poignant in its message of hope post Covid 19. Feely is detailed in her description of life on the land, not to mention giving a loud a call to action to protect the planet for future generations.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
J. L. James
zumayo.com
In Cultivating Change, Feely provides examples from her own experience, with examples of what to expect when you go out on a limb and follow your dreams. So many people are reevaluating their lives now, and seeking alternatives which include leaving urban environments and their countries to make a living, or retire in countries where land is still affordable. She is a veteran of life transition, consequently knowledge gained from this book is immeasurable if you are thinking about a back to the land change.
A beautiful and honest revelation about what it is like to follow your dream, in this case a French vineyard, which fulfilled a young couples dream, but left the Feely family at the mercy of nature.
The price of the dream, and how it affects relationships within the family, and the bigger ecological picture. she questions her “prioritising business over family”, as the mother of tween daughters, while running a wine school, yoga classes, and conducting various tours.
Caro Feely is a South African by birth, and lived in Ireland with her husband before establishing the family vineyard in the Dordogne region of France. The reader is treated to dynamics of her first return since leaving South Africa. With her family in tow, and experiencing a strained couple relationship. She highlights how the man made environmental issues have affected her natal land.
As someone who earns a living from the land, Feely reflects on the negative effects of GMO’s on health and farming. Her example of changes in South African flora over the years are illuminating. She provides details from environmental conferences she has attended, while sharing the impact of global warming on her business, and the world.
The reader learns the reality of running a wine business and the hard choices that have to be made to rejuvenate a life on the brink of stagnation. She shares her personal expansion, not to mention her innovation, via her adapt of die diversification introducing yoga and online trails to her business model.
A wonderful read that is so satisfying on so many levels. Gastronomic musings to wet the appetite, with geographical insights as to why the foods from those regions taste so good. All washed down with explanations of wine growing in an organic and biodynamic way. The raw descriptions of business challenges for her family and other growers in the area reveal climate change concerns which bring something to the table for everyone.
Cultivating Change is poignant in its message of hope post Covid 19. Feely is detailed in her description of life on the land, not to mention giving a loud a call to action to protect the planet for future generations.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
J. L. James
zumayo.com
January 17, 2024
This is the fourth memoir from Caro Feely set on her family’s organic vineyard near Bordeaux and once again, she has written a book that really hit home as I read it and spoke to me on a level not all memoirs do.
Cultivating Change is so much more than an update on their family and wine-making journey, it is a punchy, inspiring read that highlights the climate change problem viewed from organic farmers on the front-line. Recent summers saw not only severe hailstorms hitting the vineyards around Bordeaux (something that is becoming more common), but the area has also been victim to huge forest fires that devastated acres of woodland as they burned for weeks.
As well as sharing their interesting and inspiring life in France, Caro takes us along with her as she attends conferences to speak about climate change issues. It is an honest account of the good times as well as their stresses and personal struggles. I learned a lot from this book, about the issues they are facing on a daily basis, and also ideas on how to make more changes to our life. Thermals rather than too much heating, and bikes over cars have been the norm for us for many years, but I realise there is more we can do. It was good to know that there are others out that who share my fears about the gravity of the situation we have created in the world.
I hope that as well as her regular readers enjoying a catch-up on life at the vineyard, the climate change element in this book will give it the wider audience it deserves.
Cultivating Change is so much more than an update on their family and wine-making journey, it is a punchy, inspiring read that highlights the climate change problem viewed from organic farmers on the front-line. Recent summers saw not only severe hailstorms hitting the vineyards around Bordeaux (something that is becoming more common), but the area has also been victim to huge forest fires that devastated acres of woodland as they burned for weeks.
As well as sharing their interesting and inspiring life in France, Caro takes us along with her as she attends conferences to speak about climate change issues. It is an honest account of the good times as well as their stresses and personal struggles. I learned a lot from this book, about the issues they are facing on a daily basis, and also ideas on how to make more changes to our life. Thermals rather than too much heating, and bikes over cars have been the norm for us for many years, but I realise there is more we can do. It was good to know that there are others out that who share my fears about the gravity of the situation we have created in the world.
I hope that as well as her regular readers enjoying a catch-up on life at the vineyard, the climate change element in this book will give it the wider audience it deserves.
August 8, 2023
Caro Feely has a way of drawing the reader into her story. As much as the climate crisis is so important and imperative that we address it, reading about it can be a good way to help you fall asleep. The subject of climate crisis can be very dry (no climate pun intended). Feely's story is multi-layered, it is a story about her family and holding it together, a story of the struggles of a small business, a travelogue as she journeys to her homeland of South Africa and she feeds you information about organic and biodynamic viticulture in bits and pieces within the overall story. I just don't have the time to read many paperbacks or real books in general. However, once I opened this book I plowed through with few breaks, Feely keeps the story going. This is a great book for anyone not just wine people.
If you find yourself in the Bordeaux area, Saussignac is close by and just a short car ride/train ride away from the city center, somewhat near St. Emilion. I visited the property years ago and hope to soon again!!!
If you find yourself in the Bordeaux area, Saussignac is close by and just a short car ride/train ride away from the city center, somewhat near St. Emilion. I visited the property years ago and hope to soon again!!!
June 16, 2023
It is always great to catch up on all things Feely, and a pleasure to be challenged myself. It is never too late to try to save the planet, something we can all do. This book will show you how small things can make a difference and how this is a global issue. I encourage everybody to read Cultivating Change (and its predecessors). It is not only a good introduction to biodynamic vineyards, but also a new way of looking at our hedonistic lifestyles.
I have visited the "chateau" but a long time ago, so I encourage everybody to read the books and visit if at all possible.
I have visited the "chateau" but a long time ago, so I encourage everybody to read the books and visit if at all possible.
August 31, 2023
This is a sincere book about matters of importance not only to the author but to us all. As an ex-grape-grower, wine producer and exporter I started to read “Cultivating Change” to learn if my experiences were similar to Caro Feely’s. I continued reading simply to enjoy a fellow earthling’s tussles with life, love, and family - as well as with business.
We should all have a friend as wise as the author’s, who warned her to “beware of the four horsemen”- criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling.
Overcoming these, is as much of what Caro’s interesting story is about as growing grapes. Her story is exemplary and compelling.
We should all have a friend as wise as the author’s, who warned her to “beware of the four horsemen”- criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling.
Overcoming these, is as much of what Caro’s interesting story is about as growing grapes. Her story is exemplary and compelling.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews