Maurice DiMarino, a San Diego native, worked in the San Francisco restaurant industry for a decade where he took an interest in wine, and used the city as his hub to travel throughout the world in search of more knowledge. Upon returning to San Diego, he was wine director for the newly opened Island Prime. Eight years later he became beverage director for the Cohn Restaurant Group, and today oversees 22 restaurants in San Diego, Long Beach and Maui. DiMarino is a Certified Sommelier, Certified Cicerone®, and CRT certified in tequila. When he is not training, hosting events, and creating programs, he is teaching several of the wine Intensive courses at the Business of Wine program at San Diego State University. DiMarino has written for several of San Diego's major publications, but most enjoys writing his blog, mauricescru.com.