People Behind the Pour: From pears to pioneer, a story of passion and resilience with LaShellé Wines
LaShellé Wines is making waves with its bold, fruit-forward wines and inspiring story. Founded by Nicole Camp, a passionate woman who transformed a hobby into a thriving business, LaShellé Wines symbolizes resilience, creativity, and commitment to crafting approachable, drinkable wines for everyone.
Nicole is proud to be part of a growing movement toward greater diversity in the wine industry. When she opened her winery, she became only the second African-American female winemaker in Washington, following in the footsteps of Frichette Winery.
“Frichette was the only African-American female winemaker in Washington when I opened,” Nicole recalls. "Now, it’s really exciting to see so many more people getting into the wine business and bringing that diversity. It’s cool to see the growth, especially among women winemakers."
This surge in diversity is not only exciting but also necessary. As the wine industry expands, there’s room for more voices, perspectives, and talent, and LaShellé Wines is leading the charge in making wine more inclusive. Partnering with organizations like WeRise Wines, which focuses on amplifying the work of underrepresented winemakers, LaShellé Wines is helping to foster a community that celebrates and supports diverse talent.
Nicole’s journey began with experimenting with pear wine to pursuing a formal education in winemaking at the Northwest Wine Academy. What started initially as a hobby in 2001 turned into a business in 2015 when she fully embraced her love for the craft, earning an associate degree and sharpening her skills as a winemaker.
Her journey from a novice winemaker to a full-fledged winery owner speaks to the importance of education, growth, and the power of pursuing one's passions. "When I was making pear wine, it was trial by error at that time," Nicole recalls. "But taking the classes gave me a better insight into how to make wine."
LaShellé Wines' most significant challenge was opening its doors during one of the most difficult times in recent history—the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially set to open in early 2020, LaShellé Wines had to wait as the world went into lockdown. The winery finally opened on Juneteenth 2021, marking a significant milestone for the business and the local community.
“It was just coming back out of COVID and trying to be a new business, which was a challenge,” Nicole explains. "People knew who they liked, and here’s this new business opening up."
Despite these challenges, LaShellé Wines has flourished in Woodinville’s vibrant Warehouse District near other renowned diverse wineries like Elentone and Orr Wines.
LaShellé Wines prides itself on creating approachable wines that aren't pretentious. Its focus is on making them ready to drink rather than built for long-term aging. Thanks to the use of neutral barrels, the wines have a soft, fruit-forward profile with minimal oak influence. LaShellé Wines offers something unique—a balanced, drinkable experience that doesn’t require years of aging to appreciate and enjoy in the moment.
The philosophy is simple: craft wines that are full-bodied, fruit-forward, and ready to be poured at room temperature. Nicole’s approach is rooted in a desire to make wine accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their experience with wine.
Among LaShellé Wines' most popular offerings are the bold Cabernet Franc and the smooth Barbera for red wine lovers, while the Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc shine for those who prefer whites. The Barbera, in particular, is a standout—less commonly seen but a favorite among visitors to the tasting room.
As LaShellé Wines grows, expansion plans are already in the works. The winery is increasing its production, aiming to go from 900 to 1,200 cases, while maintaining its cozy, intimate tasting room in Woodinville’s Warehouse District. Nicole believes in steady, thoughtful growth, ensuring that the wines and the experience for visitors remain top-notch.
“Right now, we’re going to increase our production, but we’re going to stay where we are,” says Nicole. "Our location is kind of comforting, and we don’t want to shift too far away just yet."
With new releases like a fresh Pinot Noir and a Viognier, LaShellé Wines wine club members have plenty to look forward to. And while growth is on the horizon, the winery remains deeply committed to its roots—crafting wines that are approachable, full of flavor, and always ready to be enjoyed.
We’re thrilled to share LaShellé Wines' journey with you and cannot wait to share this wine with you through our new bottle shop or join our wine club and be on the lookout for LaShellé to be featured in an upcoming allocation! To learn more about Nicole and LaShellé Wines, check out their website and sign up for the WeRise newsletter so you’re the first to know about the grand opening of our wine bar coming this fall.