Wildwood Spirits Co.

Since 2014, we have taken pride in producing small-batch handcrafted spirits
with the highest quality ingredients, many organically grown and locally sourced from our backyard in the Pacific Northwest– sometimes from founder Erik Liedholm’s literal backyard.
An advanced sommelier and the wine director for Seattle restaurateur John Howie’s many restaurants, Erik began making grappa, an Italian brandy, as a hobby, perfecting the process over time. Together with John, Erik dreamed of distilling spirits with the same care and attention as a winemaker, and the idea for Wildwood Spirits was born. From distilling each individual botanical separately for Kur gin, to using hand-coopered artisan oak barrels to age The Dark Door bourbon, a sommelier’s thoughtfulness and passion goes into each and every bottle.
John Howie owns several celebrated Seattle area restaurants, including John Howie Steak, Seastar, and Beardslee Public House, which is also a brewery and the location of our distillery and tasting room in Bothell, WA.
Erik Liedholm is still the wine director for John Howie’s restaurants, and even leads sommelier courses for the staff. Originally hailing from East Lansing, MI, his childhood home on Wildwood Street is depicted in our logo. He continues to distill grappa, the spirit that started it all– Wildwood Arande grappa is released periodically in very limited quantities.

Author: Caroline Porsiel

Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.