Howard Russell's La Cha-Bliss Wine: Rooted in Community, Full of Flavor
Howard Russell, known across Seattle as the unforgettable Ladie Chablis, has never been one to move quietly. As a performer, host, and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, he’s spent decades making space for others—on stage, in the streets, and now, through something that’s entirely his own: La Cha‑Bliss Wine.
Tucked into Capitol Hill, La Cha‑Bliss isn’t just a wine shop. It’s an experience that carries Howard’s energy in every corner. From the moment you walk in, you feel it—the music, the warmth, the intentionality. The shelves are stocked with wines by Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ winemakers, many of whom aren’t often featured in traditional wine spaces. This isn’t about prestige or exclusivity. It’s about presence. It’s about telling the stories behind the bottles and making wine feel welcoming, relatable, and rooted in community.
Howard’s path to opening La Cha‑Bliss didn’t start in a tasting room. It began during a trip to Puerto Vallarta, where he fell in love with the way wine brought people together. That moment stayed with him. When he returned to Seattle, he took a leap—drawing from his 401(k), launching a fundraiser, and investing in a dream. In April 2025, he opened his first business: a wine shop that reflects the same pride and passion he’s carried throughout his life.
Since then, La Cha‑Bliss has become more than a retail space. It’s a place where people come to learn, laugh, taste something new, and feel represented. Whether you’re chatting with Howard on the patio during a weekend tasting or just browsing the shelves for something different, you leave with more than a bottle—you leave with a sense of connection.
La Cha‑Bliss Wine is located at 1412 12th Avenue South, open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m. Stop in, support a space that uplifts BIPOC and LGBTQ+ makers, and when you do, make sure to tell Howard that DeAunte sent you.
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