Michelle “Auntie Shell”

As the founder and driving force behind Auntie Shell's Napa Valley Pickles & Goods, I bring a lifetime of culinary passion and a diverse professional background to every product I create. From a young age, the kitchen has always been my sanctuary, where I've sharpened my skills and crafted multi-generational recipes like homemade cinnamon rolls and artisanal pickled vegetables. My journey has been shaped by many roles, including being a young single mother balancing college, a multitude of jobs to support my son, a successful marketing & management career in the wine industry, and my most recent role in Healthcare Technology as a Northern California Account Executive.

Despite facing challenges such as the 2017 Atlas Peak Fire and a recent career shift, I have found renewed purpose in the kitchen. My commitment to creating fresh, preservative-free foods has only deepened over time, leading to the cultivation of handmade products, including homemade breads, pickled vegetables and curating artisanal fruit & veggie platters as well as charcuterie boards. At 50, after losing nearly 60 pounds and embracing a healthier lifestyle, I'm excited to share my culinary creations with you and help families enjoy nutritious, delicious nosh.

For me, Auntie Shell's Napa Valley Pickles & Goods is more than just a business—it's a mission to empower families to embrace healthy eating habits through my handcrafted goods. All my products are preservative free, locally sourced and fueled by my passion for living and eating for health. I wish to bring the best of Napa Valley's flavors to your table while supporting my community and caring for my aging mother. Thank you for being a part of this journey, and I look forward to sharing these artisanal creations with you.

Michelle Ames

Owner/Founder “Picklelier”

Auntie Shell’s Napa Valley Pickles & Goods