Born and bred in the beautiful Coastal town of Knysna in the Western Cape. Married and raised 1 son and 5 step children. Widowed in 2006.

Professional musician and music teacher until the mid- nineties when the passion for wine became a full time occupation.

Original wine interest started in 1983 when a group of friends started a wine club. Learning and passion grew from there through travel, tasting wine and eating in the greatest regional restaurants around the world. Great wine mentors all over the world shared their knowledge and wines with the generosity traditionally experienced amongst wine lovers and professionals.

Other than food, wine and music I have a serious interest in Organic gardening, Botany, Art and Writing - both on wine related subjects and fiction. Presently collaborating on an international book on Pinot Noir which is in the planning stages.

Elsie received her Wine and Spirit Education Trust Wine Judging Certificate in 1997 and she became Cape Wine Master in 2000. Elsie as one of 71 members spread world wide with a final dissertation on Brandy and Cognac. This covers wine regions world wide as well as brandy, liqueur and general knowledge.

Elsie is also Australasian Wine Master - a title received from Centre for International Wine Studies at the University of Western Australia, Sydney

Elsie often travels following wine and food related events in most important wine growing regions of the world - these to update current knowledge and stimulate interest.

Elsie often acts as International and local Wine Judge * Swiss International Airline Awards 
* Vino Llubjana in Slovenia
* Veritas
* Juliet Cullinan Wine Show
* South African Wine Magazine (various panels)
* South African Airways

And she continuously provides lectures on wine and food