When the recession impacted Shira Wiseman's career early last year, the mergers and acquisitions consultant resisted the temptation to get depressed. Instead she decided to reinvent herself.

"One day in June I was walking along the beach and I thought, 'I love to walk, I love my village of La Jolla and I love fine wine and great food,' " she remembers. "I thought I could share this passion with others and help promote merchants where I live."

Wiseman approached some of her favorite restaurants with her idea and received a warm response. On July 12, La Jolla Wine Tours launched its maiden voyage with a group comprised of seven friends and neighbors.

Today, Wiseman says her business has grown to about three walking tours she hosts each week. Each event includes a narrative history, quizzes, food and wine, prizes and VIP treatment at local establishments.

"I work with chefs and owners ahead of time to customize the menu to accommodate dietary needs of our guests," she said. "When we arrive they'll come out and talk to us. Guests also receive special gifts from our merchants such as a complimentary appetizer or a 10 percent discount coupon."  

Price for the three-hour tour, which includes four to five stops, is $55 including tax and tip. Tours are available every day by appointment. The minimum number for a tour is two and the maximum is 22.

Participating restaurants include: Vigilucci's Ristorante, Zenbu Sushi, Burgundy Grill, Café Aroma, Barfly, Marrakesh, Café Milano, The Spot, Burger Lounge, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, The Cottage, Home Grown Meats, Sushi on the Rock and Aquamoree.

Rad Taboubi is manager of Marrakesh La Jolla, a popular stop on the tour.

"We really enjoy working with Shira and making her guests feel special," he said. "I make sure the wine, food and service are No. 1. This helps them and it helps us because the guests tell their friends."

Another favorite venue by tour adventurers is Vigilucci's.

"The food is outstanding and Dana, their sous chef, is absolutely wonderful," she reported. "She personally meets all our guests and presents her delicious creations and tells us how she's made them from scratch using fresh ingredients."

Wiseman says Zenbu is always a hit with guests.

"They often serve unfiltered rice wine (sake) and the sushi chef prepares special rolls just for us," she said. "Jerry is one of Zenbu's partners and founders and I love how he shares stories with our guests about Zenbu, from their fishing boats that bring fresh locally caught fish in every day to the zen bamboos that grace the décor of the restaurant."

San Diego Winery Tours is a division of La Jolla Wine Tours that is operated by Wiseman's partner, Paul Anthony Vild. Participants include: Bernardo Winery, Carruth Cellars, La Serenissima Winery, Schwaesdall Ramona Winery, Witchcreek Winery, Eagle's Nest Winery and other, less familiar operations.

"We like to surprise people with a few hidden gems that are only open to us," Wiseman said. "These are family-owned and they make a special effort like serving custom pizzas, taking us to their wine room and offering barrel tastings."

Price for the seven-hour tour which includes a visit to three wineries is $150 including tax and tip.

In addition to walking tours and winery visits, Wiseman hosts wine and food pairing parties, paella demonstrations and feasts, and in-house grape stomps. Events can also be booked for private parties, such as birthdays and showers, as well as corporate events.  

Wiseman said she recently she hosted a corporate party at Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines for 200 people.

"We had a grape stomp for guests and a blind tasting table where guests had to guess the most expensive bottle of wine," she explained. "We also had food and wine pairing tables. It was a wonderful success."

For more information call 858-551-5115, e-mail shira@lajollawinetours.com or visit LaJollaWineTours.com.