Shira Wiseman has taken her passion for food and wine and turned it into a burgeoning business. The local entrepreneur is the owner of the trendy new company La Jolla Wine Tours — a venture that offers wine connoisseurs a chance to tour some of La Jolla’s most fascinating restaurants and wineries while tasting fine beverages and sampling savory food. The business, which is run by Wiseman and the tour’s co-director Paul Anthony Vild, conducted its first wine tour July 12. “I’ve lived here in the Village for 10 years wanting to promote the businesses here,” said Wiseman. “So I thought I’d put together my love of La Jolla, walking, food and wine.” The tour, which includes six stops and lasts about three hours, costs $55 per person, Wiseman said. Guests get to try different wine and food pairings at each location. “I’m really 100 percent behind making this beautiful experience,” said Wiseman. “All of my time is being put into that.” Wiseman was born in Belfast, Ireland, located in the country’s northern part. She received her education in the culinary arts in England. In addition to her efforts with La Jolla Wine Tours, Wiseman works as a freelance writer for several area publications. “The goal of this business is to share our love of food and fine wine with others while promoting local restaurants and merchants in an entertaining and fabulous fashion,” she said. “I am very fond of my Village … I have a passion for wine.” La Jolla Wine Tours works with 12 different merchants, including Vigilucci’s Ristorante, one of the tour’s main stops. For those who want to explore the area’s wineries beyond La Jolla, the business also offers a five-hour van tour of local wineries for service costs $140 per person. Wiseman said in the future, she hopes to hire at least two additional tour directors, two office workers and purchase a tour van. At the moment, the company is renting a vehicle. Tours are conducted throughout the year, Wiseman said. They run daily by appointment at 3:30 p.m., starting at Empress Hotel, 7766 Fay Ave. For more information, call (858) 551-5115 or e-mail [email protected], or visit www.lajollawinetours.com.
