About Me
I am a certified Sommelier. I am also the Wine Director and Sommelier at Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn, which I co-own with husband and chef Ken Landis. Landis Shores was named one of the top 15 Inns for Wine Connoisseurs in North America.
I have traveled many wine regions throughout North America including
In addition to an MBA, my wine education includes UC Davis courses, and the Court of Master Sommelier certification program. I serve as a judge at various wine competitions including the California State Fair Wine Competition, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the Amador County Wine Competition, the Sonoma Harvest Fair Wine Competition, Wine & Spirits panels, the Wine World Market International Wine Competition, and Affairs of the Vine competitions. I also host and participate in numerous blind tastings and various wine events as a speaker and panelist.

denis sutro :
Date: November 15, 2007 @ 11:31 am
Dear Ellen;
I’m going to send you a bottle of my 04 Carver Sutro, Palisades Vineyard, Petite Sirah. One thing that always makes me shy a little away from uncontrolled tastings is that my experience with Petite Sirah is that young vintages benefit enormously from having a reasonably long open time before drinking. What are your thoughts about this question. Thanks, Denis Sutro
Sandi Feaster :
Date: April 25, 2008 @ 7:08 am
Dear Ellen:
Thank you for speaking at our Saint Mary’s Women in Philanthropy event. The discussions about wines and pairing wine with cheese and other foods was a great learning. Everyone at the event is still talking about it. You are so gifted and can explain the nuances of wine tasting so everyone from novice to expert can take away a “pearl”. Thank you again. Sandi
Sean Driggers :
Date: March 4, 2010 @ 10:51 am
Dear Ellen,
We found your blog! What a terrific site! I am very impressed with the breadth and depth of your wine reviews. It was a pleasure to meet you and have you taste our wines at the SF Chronicle Wine Event this year. Please come and visit us on your next trip to the Willamette Valley. Cheers,
Sean Driggers
Owner and Winemaker
Pudding River Wine Cellars
Brad Johnson :
Date: July 12, 2010 @ 10:45 am
Hi Ellen,
It was great to meet you at the Mid-American Wine Competition in Ankeny, Iowa over the weekend. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and perspective with all of us!
Cheers,
Brad Johnson
Editor & Publisher
Winedustry – wine news for the “other” grapes