by Julia Paulus

In 2003, Angela Ortmann, a self-described risk taker, decided she wanted to move to San Francisco, a Mecca of food and wine. So she did.

While in San Francisco, Ortmann immersed herself in all things epicurean. She worked in top restaurants and became certified as a sommelier.

In 2007 Ortmann was pulled back to St. Louis because of family obligations, but her love for food and wine did not waver. “I worked in a few local restaurants and hotels, including Monarch and the Ritz-Carlton, but I really wanted to do something that sparked the passion for food and wine that I felt while I was in California,” she says.

Ortmann found an outlet in her blog. “People started reading my blog and making requests for wine lists and private tastings,” she says.

Just as Ortmann made the decision to move across the country, she decided to follow her passion and start her business, STLwinegirl, through which she hosts events, consults for restaurants, manages social media for culinary outlets and contributes to Feast Magazine. “People often think wine is intimidating,” says Ortmann. “Food and wine can be fun, and that’s what I want people to know. My goal is to teach people to get over the hump and be a risk taker too.”