Our Story
Three generations of winemaking passion flow into every bottle of SEPPI. Inspired by California's rich winemaking legacy and her grandfather, Napa Valley legend Joseph Phelps, Kelsey Phelps founded SEPPI to craft sparkling wines bursting with energy and sense of place.
Committed to uncompromising quality, SEPPI is made exclusively using the labor-intensive Méthode Traditionnelle, where secondary fermentation in the bottle creates naturally elegant bubbles.
The Future is Sparkling
Founder, Kelsey Phelps
Kelsey's wine journey began around her family's dinner table, soaking up her grandfather Joseph Phelps wisdom, exploring sun-kissed vineyards by his side, and watching in awe as he built something truly magical from the ground up.
Just like Joseph Phelps, Kelsey's entrepreneurial heart beats strong. After practicing law in the bustling world of Silicon Valley, those cherished dinner table memories kept calling her back home. Years in corporate America had been exciting, but nothing could compare to the deep passion and shared stories that flow so naturally through the wine community that sense of connection and joy she'd grown up treasuring.
So she followed her heart, first joining her family at Joseph Phelps, then taking the inspiring leap to create SEPPI Wines. Here, she could finally blend her values, philosophy, and wonderfully fun-loving spirit with fellow wine enthusiasts who share her vision for what wine can be.
Since embracing the wine industry as her career, Kelsey was honored as a finalist for the prestigious WSET/IWSC "Future 50" industry leaders award. She's a Level 1 accredited sommelier with both the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, and proudly serves as an active member of Women of the Vine and Spirits. She resides in Healdsburg, CA, with her husband, Matt, and their dog, Layla.
Above all, Kelsey believes that while working hard matters deeply, success without joy, laughter, and a little lighthearted fun along the way simply isn't worth it. After all, the best wines just like the best memories are meant to be shared with the people who make life sparkle.
The “SEPPI” Name
A Sweet Family Member
Here's a story that always makes us smile: "Seppi" was what all the Phelps grandchildren lovingly called their grandfather Joseph Phelps. Ever the charming character and completely enamored with Italy at the time, he decided he wanted to be called "Giuseppe" instead of grandpa. The little ones tried their best, but "Giuseppe" was quite the mouthful for and so "Seppi" was born, a nickname that captured all the love, laughter, and joy he brought to their lives.
Today, every bottle of SEPPI carries that same spirit of family, warmth, and the beautiful imperfections that make life and wine truly special.
Joseph “SEPPI” Phelps
A Legacy Built on Love and Dreams
Meet the heart behind our story: Kelsey's beloved grandfather, Joseph Phelps, a true winemaking legend who helped shape Napa Valley in the early 70’s. But Joseph Phelps was so much more than a builder of vineyards and wineries, he was a builder of people. With genuine warmth and caring spirit, he nurtured not just grapes, but dreams, lifting up everyone around him and helping them flourish alongside his own vision.
Kelsey carries his values close to her heart: his unwavering work ethic, his authentic care for others, and his belief that great wine comes from great relationships.
