Ellen, a certified Sommelier, Wine Writer and Consultant, is involved with many aspects throughout the world of wine. As Wine Director and Sommelier at Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn, which she co-owns with husband and chef Ken Landis, she coordinates and hosts wine events to help further educate wine aficionados. She has traveled many wine regions throughout North America including California, Canada, New York, Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, Connecticut, Oregon and Washington, and has traveled several international wine regions as well, including Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, Rhone, Tuscany, Spain, Portugal and Australia.

Ellen actively participates in numerous trade events, choosing top notch wines from around the globe for the 3000 bottle cellar at Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn (which was voted one of the top 15 Inns in North America for Wine Connoisseurs). Her wine consultant role includes fine tuning wine lists for restaurants and hosting seminars. Her wine seminars focus on wine topics such as “Basic Wine Components”, “Wines from around the World”, “Food and Wine pairings” and “What’s IN for summer wines”. In addition to an MBA, Ellen’s wine education includes UC Davis courses, and the Court of Master Sommelier certification program. She regularly serves as a judge at various wine competitions including the California State Fair Wine Competition, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the Amador County Fair Wine Competition, the Sonoma Harvest Fair Wine Competition, The West Coast Wine Competition, The Grand Harvest Wine Competition, the Wine World Market International Wine Competition, the top 12 ZINS of Lodi, and Affairs of the Vine competitions. She also hosts numerous blind tastings, and participates as a key speaker and panelist at various wine events.