Originally from Latvia, I have been based in Italy for over 30 years, mainly in Tuscany. For about twenty, I worked as a food and wine consultant and directed the Tola Rasa fine-dining restaurant in Veneto for four years. I am a professional sommelier of the two most important Italian associations, AIS and FISAR, DipWSET (Diploma Level 4, WSET London School), Valpolicella Wine Specialist, Wine Judge, an Official Port and Cava Educator, SSA Certified Sake Sommelier, Langhe Wines Ambassador. I am a founder and project manager at Tooscans, an e-commerce dedicated mainly to Tuscan products, with offline distribution for all other products. Recently we started to import wines from different countries. I also created the Sparkling Life website, published in three languages and focuses on excellence in Italian food and wine and the Tooscans Wine Academy. I also deal with consulting and communication, digital marketing & branding strategy, SEO and wine education.