Elena was born in Kazakhstan and raised in Russia. She came to United States in 2011 with a program allowing her to work and later continue education in US. She studied English language as a major in State University in Russia with hopes of becoming a stewardess but the fascination for restaurant industry took over. She continued her education in US in local college studying business to learn the financial aspects of the hospitality industry. In order to learn the business you have to experience it so, she started working in mom-and-pop restaurant starting as a host, later as a server, then as a bartender and growing a special place in her heart for wine. Managing wine list had a huge impact on her. Learning about wine industry that she can make a career out of it inspired her to become a Certified Sommelier one day.

The opportunity came in 2019 when she went for her Introductory Course with CMS that she successfully passed. At that time she worked at the local restaurant in Bluffton, SC that was not only wine focused but also promoted craft cocktail menu. She had run wine program there with 50 wine labels, curated dynamic wine pairing program for Chef’s tasting menu, crafted cocktails where only spirit was purchased the rest she made in the house. Working there she knew she wanted to grow and focus more on wine program and have bigger wine list.

In 2021 Elena became a part of a beverage team at Montage Palmetto Bluff with overseeing wine list at Octagon Restaurant located in the main Inn. The restaurant has its own 2000 bottle show cellar with 150 labels representing wineries across the globe. Working there gave her an opportunity to focus on wine list development and study for her Certified Exam that she passed in 2022.

Managing the wine list at Octagon Restaurant and being a part of Montage beverage team Elena showed the excellence, professionalism, and passion for this industry. In 2023, the excellence for Luxury Service and attention to details that Elena showed, gave her an opportunity to transfer to fine dining restaurant, River House Steak House, one of the restaurants of Montage Palmetto Bluff. Being a part of the team at this restaurant gave her more room to grow. The restaurant currently has 150 labels on the wines list as well as she, besides Beverage manager, is overseeing the Master Cellar that offers over 2000 labels with great depths in vintages and wineries from around the world. Two years consecutively the Master Cellar has earned Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence.

Elena believes if you want to do something, do it right or don’t do it at all. In service industry attention to details is crucial. Taking shortcuts will reflect on guests’ experience in negative way. This approach to provide personable and excellent service took her where she is now.