People Behind the Pour: From Real Estate to Wine, Meet Damsel Cellars

Mari Womack, a damsel decidedly not in distress. Mari’s path to winemaking wasn’t linear. It was built upon a collection of life passions, including a love of food, horticulture, hospitality, and, yes, wine. Within a varied career, Mari wore many hats—from interior design to real estate—each expertise contributing to the skills and perspectives she would eventually bring to life Damsel Cellars. 

However, her continued work in her partner’s restaurant ventures connected her to her first love: wine. When the real estate market collapsed in 2008, Mari took the opportunity to explore winemaking in Woodinville, a decision that would set her on the path to founding Damsel Cellars.

Her passion ignited when she began volunteering during harvest at Baer Winery, an experience that opened her eyes to the intricate and fascinating world of wine production. "I lost my mind and decided I needed a winery," she laughs, recalling when she knew this was the path for her. Despite not knowing what it would cost or what the process would entail, Mari's excitement and determination drove her forward. 

Through connections in the Woodinville wine community, she landed an apprenticeship at Darby Winery, where she managed tasting rooms in exchange for hands-on winemaking experience. 

"Every new thing that I learned was fascinating,” Mari said. “Every new step and technique just fueled even more creativity and showed me why I needed to have my own winery."

She honed her craft over the next four years, eventually launching Damsel with some vintages ready for market when she left Darby in 2015. 

While working alongside Woodinville’s "young guns" of the early 2000s—winemakers who were making waves with edgy brands and bold labels—Mari initially considered going the same route. However, she soon realized a more authentic name was needed to reflect her style and personality. Rather than trying to compete with the edgy labels around her, Mari embraced the elegance and tradition that the name "Damsel" embodies.

"The name 'Damsel' really incorporated all of those ideas—the history, the femininity, the romance, and the ritual that I see in wine and feel about wine,” Mari said. 

The name resonated not just because of its original meaning—an unmarried woman of royal birth— but also because of its connection to all of the ideals of how Mari experiences wine and winemaking. 

"As a female winemaker, I wanted to have a nod to that femininity,” said Mari. “I wanted to have something that conveyed that in the name."

Damsel Cellars has evolved significantly since its founding, much like Mari herself. Her wines reflect this ongoing evolution, with each vintage showing greater depth and complexity. The early days of Damsel were marked by bootstrapping and hard work, but the winery has grown steadily, thanks in part to the support of family and friends who believed in Mari’s vision. Today, Damsel enjoys a loyal following, and Mari continues to push the boundaries of her craft.

One of the most exciting aspects of Damsel Cellars is its wine club, a close-knit community that has supported Mari from the very beginning. Mari describes the club as more of a friendship than a traditional business relationship, with members often coming out to volunteer during harvest or attending special events like barrel tastings. 

"I love to figure out the perfect way to find my people—to find those people that really want to celebrate the story, the process, and why food and wine work together,” said Mari. 

Looking toward what’s ahead, Mari is motivated and fascinated about the future of the wine industry. She is keenly aware of the significant changes in the wine industry today, especially regarding how wine is consumed and perceived. She is excited about finding ways to capture people’s imagination to convey what she is doing beyond the typical old-school education aspects of wine.

For Mari, it’s not just about selling wine; it’s about creating a connection, telling a story, and making wine approachable and exciting for a new generation of drinkers.

“I'm excited to see sort of that evolution of what's coming out of this chaos right now,” she says, expressing her curiosity about which messages will resonate and how wine will fit into the broader beverage landscape. “I think wine fits all those categories—if you're going to drink less, you can drink better." She summed it up perfectly: "Wine has been around for a very, very long time, thousands of years. I feel like wine has some staying power,” which we here at WeRise completely agree with. 

As for what’s next, Damsel Cellars is gearing up for some exciting new releases, including a 100% Merlot and a light-bodied Cinsault. Mari is particularly enthusiastic about the Merlot, a varietal that has long been underrated but is making a comeback, especially in Washington State. 

We are thrilled to watch Damsel Cellars continue to thrive and share their journey with you. We’re honored to share this wine with you at our new live online bottle shop, and we can’t wait to pour it for you at our brick-and-mortar WeRise Wine bar and bottle shop opening this fall. To learn more about Mari Womack and Damsel Cellars to plan your next visit, check out their website and sign up for the WeRise newsletter so you’re the first to know about our grand opening.