Christopher Plaia
Wine Director & AGM
Chris has worked in the hospitality industry since his early teens, however, he did not develop a passion for wine until his 20s when he began traveling and exploring Europe. When he visited his family in Sicily, he fell in love with the culture that placed true importance on the marriage of family, food, and, of course, wine. Fast forward to today and Chris has introduced La Jolla to the less familiar side of the world of wine, while keenly honoring its classic roots. The wine program he has developed at Marisi is rich in unique Italian varieties, micro-producers, and progressive styles of wine. If you haven’t been to one of his wine dinners, you’re missing out.
On his days off he likes to: sip cold beer at his local dive, cook overly ambitious dinners for his family, and hunt for forgotten goodies at the thrift market.