Jennifer Ingellis

General Manager & Wine Buyer

After several years in managerial positions at Cindy Pawlcyn’s Napa Valley restaurants, Jennifer Ingellis became general manager of Go Fish in 2007 and Brassica in 2011 and now, Cindy Pawlcyn's Wood Grill & Wine Bar in 2012. She began her tenure with Pawlcyn in 2002 as manager and wine buyer of Mustards Grill. Her first job in the Napa Valley, she quickly rose to the challenge, learning the intricacies of the region’s culinary tastes and styles.

Mustards proved a perfect fit for Ingellis and gave her the opportunity to build enduring relationships with local winemakers and the extended wine and food community. After three years there, the then fledgling Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen was in need of fresh eyes and Pawlcyn recognized Ingellis as the ideal candidate for general manager. Under Ingellis’ direction, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen flourished and the developed a strong local following.

An experienced and respected hospitality professional, Ingellis has worked in the restaurant industry since high school where she took her first job in a small restaurant in her New Hampshire hometown. It was here that she first met her future husband, Michael Ingellis (now the general manager at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen). Both pursuing restaurant careers, they traveled West to work in restaurants in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hawaii, and eventually Napa Valley.

As general managers in two closely related businesses, the two successfully maintain their professional relationship, continually exchanging expertise and collaborating on the complexities of the wine and restaurant business.

Widely recognized throughout the Valley for her professionalism, commitment, and work ethic, Ingellis has helped further develop the community spirit that exists between the region’s many wineries and restaurants. For her, it is a labor of love that she always strives to build upon.

Jennifer currently lives in Napa with her husband Michael and their two cats. The couple loves to travel, always eager to explore new cities throughout the world, in search of the culinary adventures they offer.