Sheila Swerling-Puritt has maintained an ongoing love affair with wine dating back to university. Her national and international relationships with the wine and spirits industry have included extensive touring, panel/judging, and lectures. She writes articles for national and local magazines and websites. In addition, Sheila also co-edited the Zagat Restaurant Survey for Toronto. She has lectured at Seneca College and has served as an instructor for the Sommelier program at Humber College . For many years Sheila was also on the Advisory Board for the Sommelier Program at George Brown College .

Ms. Swerling-Puritt is recognized as a notable judge at national and international wine and food events. For 16 years she was the Vice-President for the Toronto Vintners Club. She was also the first Toronto President for the Society of American Wines. Sheila has the distinction of being the first female elected as National President of a wine society in Canada. In addition, she has coordinated public and trade tastings for American wines, California wines, the Sonoma Wineries Association, and has also co-ordinated wine events for the Italian, Spanish, Israeli and Brazilian Trade Commissions.

For her contributions and dedication Sheila was made a Fellow of the Ontario Hostelry Institute. She was named Honorary Kentucky Colonel by two consecutive Governors of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for her work with the Bourbon industry and also received a Seagram Spirit and Wine Group award.

Sheila's media affiliations include CBC-TV and Radio where she was a researcher, writer and performer, and with TVOntario as a producer and co-host for a daily show, as well as being appointed a corporate manager.

Current wine related activities

Sheila is President of her own public relations and advertising agency, Swerling-Puritt Productions. Her agency specializes in launching innovative campaigns for the hospitality, food & beverage industry and was appointed Senior Consultant to a major US public relations firm. Sheila recently became Canadian Public Relations Director for the G7 Portuguese wineries. Sheila has just completed her third term (2004-5, 2006-7, 2008-9) as President of the Wine Writers Circle of Canada.

Services offered

• Wine, spirits and food judging
• Writing on food, alcoholic beverages and travel
• Consulting on event and conference planning
• Guided wine tours
• Corporate and private wine tastings