Elsom Cellars: Two Decades of Pouring Passion and Building Community
Jody Elsom, founder of Elsom Cellars
This month, we had the pleasure of catching up with Jody Elsom, founder of Elsom Cellars. Her journey into winemaking is far from conventional. It all began in the vibrant wine bars of the Bay Area in the early 2000s, where she witnessed the unique power of wine to bring people together. That initial spark quickly ignited into a full-blown passion when she traveled to Italy to help with the 2003 and 2004 harvest seasons. It was there, immersed in the heart of Italian wine country, that she truly fell in love with the craft — and decided to make it her own.
Back in 2003, Jody Elsom wasn’t just learning by doing—she also hit the books, enrolling in Washington State University’s enology and viticulture certificate program. It was the very first year the program was offered, and Jody was one of its first-ever graduates.
By 2006, she was ready to take the leap and opened the first version of Elsom Cellars in a small space right across from Seattle’s stadiums—where Letterpress Distilling is now. But when construction on the viaduct ramped up, she was forced to relocate. So she packed up and moved operations to Woodinville for a few years.
In 2014, Jody moved Elsom Cellars to its current home in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. Jody chose the location intentionally: surrounded by artists, makers, and fellow creatives, it was the perfect place to build not just a winery, but a community. She’s always believed that wine is meant to bring people together—and this space let her do just that.
Today, Elsom Cellars stands as a respected and thriving women-led winery, guided by the vision and leadership of Jody and Rebecca Weber. Their journey is grounded in a deep sense of community, meaningful connection, and the unwavering determination that has defined Jody’s story from the very start.
While building her career, she was also busy building a family. To honor her two children, she crafted two signature wines that reflect their unique personalities. Isabella, an elegant and expressive Bordeaux blend, embodies grace and refinement—equally beautiful on its own or paired with food. Logan, a bold Malbec-forward blend, brings spice, intensity, and a touch of surprise with every vintage. Like the children they’re named for, these wines continue to grow and evolve with time.
Driven by a deep commitment to community, Elsom also offers three Community Label wines, created to support organizations that align with their mission of bringing people together and giving back, believing that strong communities are built through generosity and connection. The labels are:
Adventure Uncorked: The Adventure Uncorked wine series celebrates exploration, community, and artisan winemaking.
Seattle Made: Seattle Made supports diverse local manufacturers to boost ownership, create jobs, strengthen our region, and celebrate Seattle’s identity. $11 from each bottle sold goes directly to Seattle Made!
The Keeper: This wine was created in collaboration with Washington Youth Soccer and Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei to support local youth sports programs.
For Jody, winemaking is all about intention, connection, and a touch of adventure. Producing around 2,000 cases annually, with each bottle handcrafted using small-lot, low-intervention methods. What does that mean for you? Minimal additives—just a touch of yeast to get the party started—and a natural approach to filtration that lets a little sediment shine through for extra complexity and body. Jody and her team are seriously hands-on, personally tasting and blending individual barrels to make sure each vintage truly shines, staying true to the grapes and the story they tell. And get this: their relationships with grape growers go way back, spanning nearly two decades, built on consistency and shared values. They’ve had long-standing acreage contracts dating all the way back to 2005!
"Winemaking starts in the vineyard, and so it's really important that we are connected with the growers."
Malbec is the heart and soul of Elsom Cellars, and it’s easy to see why—it’s the varietal that started it all. Their Malbec vines, planted in 2005 at Alder Ridge Vineyard on a rocky slope overlooking the Columbia River, are still rocking it. But it's not just Malbec; you’ll also find classic varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah (sourced from Red Mountain), plus some fun, unexpected faves: Cinsault, Tempranillo, Grenache, and Albariño, each bringing a fresh twist to the lineup. And for those looking for something truly unique, Elsom also whips up a delicious Malbec-based port and both white and red vermouths.
"The most important thing to me about the wine, is not only that people enjoy the wines, but they actually take the time to slow down and savor the moment."
Elsom Cellars has racked up its fair share of awards over the years—from winning “Best in Class” in a blind tasting among Woodinville winemakers for their Isabella wine, to a 90+ point rating from Wine Enthusiast and even making a standout appearance at the Aspen Food & Wine Festival. But for founder Jody Elsom, the real heart of the winery goes way beyond the accolades. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to create wines that encourage people to slow down, savor the moment, and truly connect. At Elsom, wine isn't just a drink; it’s a living, evolving experience—one that invites authenticity, builds community, and celebrates bold, artisanal craftsmanship.
Jody’s got some seriously exciting stuff cooking for Elsom Cellars. First up: the long-awaited red vermouth is well underway and set to launch soon. At the same time, Elsom is saying a bittersweet goodbye to its Sodo location after 20 amazing years. But don’t you worry—they’re not going far. Production is moving to the Woodinville warehouse district, and a brand-new, community-focused tasting room is opening right in the heart of Perrinville, North Edmonds. Get ready for a new favorite local spot!
To see more from Elsom Cellars, visit their website and follow them on Instagram. Stop by the bar or browse our bottle shop to explore wines from Elsom and other diverse winemakers. Want first dibs on new arrivals and exclusive events? Join our newsletter to stay in the loop.