Our Philosophy
Our story is our wine. Craftsmanship, precision, and focus are central tenets of our winemaking practices, embodied every day by Winemaker Jonathan Walden. He passionately oversees the program, caring for our vineyards, aging wines, and production facilities with authenticity and reverence for the land that shines through in the finished product.
Elusa wines are created in small quantities, exclusively available to members and guests. The wines are crafted with minimal intervention, allowing the Calistoga terroir to shine, with the subtle nuances of each vineyard coming through in every sip.
Jonathan Walden | Winemaker
As winemaker at Elusa Winery, Jonathan Walden blends his artistic understanding of oenology with his deep-seated connection to nature to create complex and precise wines that respect Calistoga’s distinctive terroir. Jonathan is a rising star in the winemaking world and joins Elusa to bring famed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown’s vision to life.
Walden’s winemaking career took off when he joined O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery in 2012 under veteran winemaker Sean Capiaux. In 2016, Walden seized the opportunity to become assistant winemaker at Tuck Beckstoffer Estate, launching the St. Helena brand. Prior to joining Elusa Winery, Walden served as assistant winemaker at Melka Wines overseeing operations at Melka Estates.
Elusa embodies Thomas Rivers Brown’s impeccable craftsmanship and long-standing relationships with Calistoga’s most premier growers.
Thomas Rivers Brown | Consulting Winemaker
A Calistoga resident, Thomas Rivers Brown conceived Elusa as a distinct and honest expression of his town – and a celebration of the unique vineyards, the passionate local growers, and the grapes they produce.
Thomas Rivers Brown began his California winemaking career in 1997 and has since made a name for himself as a non-interventionist, creating wines that showcase the vineyard foremost. Renowned wine critic Robert Parker Jr. has awarded him 25 perfect 100-point scores on his Cabernet Sauvignon projects over the past decade. In 2010, Brown was named Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine.
Over the past 10 years, we have designed and built Elusa’s winemaking facility from the ground up, ensuring that the brand is expertly equipped for luxury, high-quality winemaking.
Our Winery
Only steps away from the hospitality space is Elusa’s newly built Tank Room and production facility. Here, wine is made in limited quantities, allowing the winemakers to control every detail throughout the process.
Winery tours provided as part of the Evolution Experience aim to pull back the veil on the winemaking process. The oversized doors and wide walkways offer an immersive experience, inviting guests to explore and observe the wine production, and aging processes firsthand.