Denise Shurtleff grew up in a California family of French origin that enjoyed wine. Family lore has it that her grandfather, who loved wine, visited Paul Masson at his home in order to continue to enjoy wine during prohibition.

Denise was introduced to the possibilities of wine as a career in her first position following her graduation from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, where she earned a B.S. degree in Dietetics and Food Administration. She joined the original Corbett Canyon Vineyards, first working in the tasting room, and then becoming its laboratory technician and later its enologist. The 1983 harvest was her first day in the lab. She was told she needed to be on the job every day; any plans she had otherwise would have to be canceled. This was her introduction to the intensity and passion associated with winemaking and to the importance of working as a team. During her years at Corbett Canyon, Denise participated in all aspects of wine production from cellar work to bottling to the enologist's position and then to winemaker.

She joined Cambria Estate Vineyards and Winery as the assistant winemaker in September 1999. In May 2003 she was promoted to winemaker and managed all wine production for the estate. She was named General Manager of the winery in 2017, a role in which she will apply her nearly two decades of experience across all aspects of Cambria’s production. Denise is described as a natural, gentle leader who is touted for her incredible ability to pick out various aromas in wine.

Cambria Estate Winery produces estate grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah from its benchland vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley AVA of Santa Barbara County.

When not making wine, Denise lives with her husband and two sons on their five-acre property. As a family, they enjoy camping, kayaking, swimming, and sports in general. She loves to cook and grows a variety of fruits and vegetables on the family’s property.