Pursue your passion
Wine enthusiast shares knowledge as a tour guide
Sometimes you take advantage of career opportunities because you are looking for a major change, and others because it’s just time to do something you enjoy (and make a little money while doing it). Such was the case for Fiona Coxe. She has channeled her passion for wine into running tours in the Boston area for City Wine Tours.
Her workplace employs wine lovers in the Hub and environs, providing them with an opportunity to share their wine enthusiasm and earn some money in the process.
Wes Narron, chief wine ambassador, said the opportunity to work for City Wine Tours gives him and other wine lovers the chance to pass on their knowledge.
“The only way you get to improve your knowledge of wine is to drink a lot of it,” Narron said. “It’s a matter of tasting it.”
Narron described wine ambassadors as people who tend to be adventurous eaters who are not afraid to taste all kinds of things and want to have their own “first-hand perception of identifying tastes and aromas.”
Coxe met Narron several years ago when she was approached to write a review about City Wine Tours for her blog, A Boston Food Diary.
“The timing didn’t work at the time,” she said, “but years later as I was beginning my own wine studies, the opportunity presented itself again and I was able to attend.”
She immediately fell in love with the tour, which she described as a “mix of education and fun.”
“It took what can be a stuffy subject and made it uncomplicated and approachable.”
In fact, the tour inspired her — she aspired to know as much as her guide.
Thus began her journey with wine and spirits.
For interested wine ambassadors, Narron says a solid knowledge-base of wine is key, and there are many opportunities for people to gain that knowledge.
Narron recommends people document their wine education experience, and said there are continuing education classes available through Boston University and the Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource Center. Additionally, the Wine and Spirit Education Trust offers several certification programs.
Coxe received several certifications through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, and saw the job listing for wine ambassadors at City Wine Tours after completing one of the programs.
“I immediately applied,” she said. “It was such a great opportunity to use my knowledge immediately.”
For wine enthusiasts interested in pursuing their passion through this professional opportunity, Coxe says, “Get excited.”
“All of my tours have been full of inquisitive minds with all different levels of wine appreciation, but all come together to spend a few hours on a journey through their glass.”
And for wine lovers who share the passion for trying new flavors, Coxe says the best part is the feeling of fulfilment she receives when a “tour member feels confident to try a new varietal and is ready to handle a wine list with ease.”
Narron and Coxe both said this niche opportunity doesn’t have to be a full-time job. In fact, for Coxe it’s simply an opportunity to share her wine knowledge every week “without dominating conversations with my friends and family.”
It’s just another example of a way to balance one’s personal pleasures with others who share similar interests, but not let it take over an already established career or other life commitments.
“Each tour is only two hours and they primarily fall on the weekends, so balancing them with my career is no issue,” Coxe said.
Narron said City Wine Tours is always looking for new wine ambassadors.
“A solid base of wine knowledge is necessary, and perhaps a good sense of humor,” Coxe added.