Enterprising couple Ian Swindells and MaryBeth Coll have celebrated the opening of their new wine bar in Port Erin.

American MaryBeth, 41, and Australian Ian, 42, opened the doors of the business called Foraging Vintners to the public over the weekend.

MaryBeth, who was a real estate lawyer in Colorado, and Ian, who used to work on oil rigs, were delighted.

The bar was packed on Saturday and business was steady on Sunday. ’We were pleasantly surprised,’ said MaryBeth, from the bar at The Old Coal Shed at The Breakwater.

The couple, who have lived in the island for more than five years, have also been working long hours developing the winery making wine out of locally grown produce such as elderflower and rhubarb.

All being well the first bottles of Foraging Vintners wine will be ready in time for TT. The wine bar will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays allowing them to work in the winery.

There will be a fuller interview in next week’s Examiner.