Our Story

Wines Made with Artistry, Expertise and Passion

Marchelle was founded by longtime friends Mara and Greg La Follette and Michelle Wong and Kevin Lee and is a celebration of friendship, passion, and a commitment to diversity in the wine industry. We proudly embrace our identity as a minority- and women-owned business. Our name, a fusion of "Mara" and "Michelle," represents our personal journey and dedication to creating more opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds in the world of wine.

At the heart of Marchelle Wines is our head winemaker, Greg La Follette, affectionately known as the “Vine Whisperer.” With a remarkable ability to revive heritage vineyards across California and the world, Greg has helped transform struggling sites into thriving sources of exceptional fruit. His work has contributed to the recognition of many vineyards as part of the Historic Vineyard Society, including the remarkable Betty Ann Vineyard in Russian River Valley, where he rejuvenated 120-year-old Colombard vines, ultimately crafting a 2018 bottling for the esteemed 3 Michelin Star SingleThread Restaurant in Healdsburg CA. Greg’s expertise is rooted in a rich mentorship with the legendary Napa winemaker André Tchelistcheff at Beaulieu Vineyards, and he was instrumental in establishing Flowers Winery as a cult favorite.

Learn more about the Marchelle Team

  • Our commitment to quality is deeply entwined with our relationships with family-owned vineyards practicing organic and sustainable farming. We believe that the intensity and concentration of flavor found in old vines are essential to our wines and we continue to support these heritage winegrowers enabling them to produce consistent high quality fruit and thrive even during challenging times.

  • We embrace a low-intervention approach, allowing the true essence of each grape to shine. We carefully monitor our native fermentations, adding minimal SO2 to preserve the wine’s natural character. Extended Sur Lies aging and anaerobic winemaking techniques enhance the unique “sauvage et animale” qualities in every bottle.

  • The diverse climates we work in—from the cool coastal regions to the arid heritage vineyards—require tailored viticultural practices. We prioritize hands-on vineyard management, collaborating closely with our grower partners throughout each season to ensure the finest fruit selection.

Marchelle Wines Founders