As a young girl in Bulgaria, Elena’s mother worked in a winery. The demise of the Soviet Republic opened the door to an influx of westerners interested in the age-old history of wine making in these former states. Many Australians visited and stayed at the winery and as the only one able to speak English, Elena started helping translate after school. By the age of 12, she was interpreting barrel tastings with the winemakers. By the age of 15, she had the wine knowledge and vocabulary of a veteran, and by 16 she was making her first batches of Chardonnay.

    

After study she ventured and worked in many amazing wine regions of the world, and has now settled with husband and two children in McLaren Vale. With the myriad of award winning wines she now makes under Dandelion Vineyards, Elena is recognised as one of Australia’s brightest stars with her latest accolade, being crowned as Bushing Queen, at the McLaren Vale wine show 2021, for the Lion's Tooth of McLaren Vale Shiraz Riesling.