Elegant Wines. Masterfully Crafted.
Watch the Marchelle Story
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 crafting authentically made wines. The name Marchelle is a melding of “Mara and Michelle”, our wives names, as they are our inspiration for the elegant and expressive wines we create.
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.
The Marchelle Team
Greg, Evan, and Kevin bring 60 years of winemaking and industry experience with a deep passion for crafting authentic wines that honor the history, preservation, and terroir of old vines.
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GREG LA FOLLETTE
CO-FOUNDER & HEAD WINEMAKER
Greg heads up all winemaking operations. He is known in the industry as the “Vine Whisperer” through his work resuscitating vineyards across the valley and the world. A former biochemist and seminarian, Greg was mentored by famed winemaker André Tchelistcheff and was founding winemaker at Flowers Winery, helping it reach cult status. He brings deep scientific rigor and soulful intent to every barrel. Learn more about Greg La Follette.
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EVAN DAMIANO
WINEMAKER
Evan is one of our winemakers and plays an important part in creating many of our wines, especially our blends. He works closely with Greg in the cellar and out in the vineyards with our growers. He has made wine and worked harvests in Australia, Oregon and Sonoma and also plays a strategic role as our winemaking liaison with wholesale partners. He has over 14 years in the wine industry, hospitality and winemaking. Prior to Marchelle he was an Enologist with Pride Mountain Vineyards.
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KEVIN LEE
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER
A longtime fan of Greg’s wines from his days at Tandem and La Follette to Alquimista, Kevin co-created Marchelle with Greg in 2021 to help continue his legacy of unique expressive wines with uncompromising quality that deliver a sense of place. Prior to Marchelle, Kevin spent 25 years as a technology marketing executive in Silicon Valley. He and his wife Michelle own Harmony Lane Vineyard, a three acre Pinot Noir vineyard near Occidental.
Rooted in Relationships, Guided by Nature
Our wines begin in the vineyard—with old vines, sustainable farming, and deep partnerships with family growers who share our values. From cool coastal sites to arid heritage blocks, we work closely with them throughout the season to ensure the highest quality fruit. In the cellar, we take a low-intervention approach: native fermentations, minimal SO2, and extended sur lies aging all serve to express the purest character of each grape. This careful balance of science, instinct, and respect for the land yields wines with unmistakable depth and a touch of the sauvage.