This interview is with Sam Ekstrom-Welch, Rae-Ekstrom-Welch, and Kevin Geller. In this interview, Sam, Rae, and Kevin speak about their individual paths into the wine industry and how they came together to work at (and then own, along with Kevin's wife Olivia Schelly) Liner & Elsen wine shop.
Kevin got into wine through food while living in Madison, Wisc., and once he was hooked pursued it passionately. Once he came to Portland, he found his way to Liner & Elsen in the early 2000s. Sam first worked in wine at the Portland Airport before starting at L&E in the 2010s. And Rae worked first in distribution before she and Sam were married.
When the shop was available for purchase in 2022, the group worked together to figure out how to buy it, and then how to keep the important legacy while also helping it evolve to meet a new generation of wine drinkers. They talk about all of this, as well as what the future holds.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Liner & Elsen in Portland on June 30, 2025.
What is The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast?
The Oregon Wine History Archive at Linfield University was created to collect, preserve, share, and continue the narrative of Oregon wine.
The growth of the Oregon wine industry extends from the farmers and winemakers to the marketers, scientists, innovators, and dreamers of the enterprise — all of whom are vital to the industry’s success. It is our aim to link the past, present, and future of the industry in hopes of sharing the story of Oregon wine.
Some oral history interviews are conducted on site and may contain background noise from nature, winery, or tasting room operations.