Carol Shelton
Carol Shelton | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rochester, New York and San Mateo, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of California, Davis (B.S. in Enology, 1978) |
| Occupation(s) | Winemaker, entrepreneur |
| Known for | One of the most decorated winemakers in the United States; Winemaker of the Year (San Francisco Chronicle, 2005) |
Carol Shelton is a distinguished American winemaker and entrepreneur, celebrated as one of the most decorated winemakers in the United States. In 2005, she earned the title of Winemaker of the Year from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Personal life and education
Shelton spent her childhood in both Rochester, New York and San Mateo, California. Her mother’s scent-based memory exercises played a significant role in sharpening her chemical understanding and refining her sensory perception for wine. While initially drawn to paleontology and subsequently poetry, Shelton chose to attend University of California, Davis. There, a visit to Sebastiani Winery sparked her determination to pursue a career in winemaking. She graduated with a degree in Enology in 1978, among the pioneering women to achieve this. Shelton contributed to the development of the Aroma Wheel and undertook research focused on yeast varieties and their impact on wine quality.
Career
Following her graduation, Shelton gained experience at Robert Mondavi Winery and later worked with Saltrams Wines in Australia. During her tenure at Mondavi and other wineries, she faced restrictions that prevented her from working alongside male colleagues in the cellars. In 1980, she began laboratory work under the mentorship of Andre Tchelistcheff at Buena Vista Winery, which revitalized her enthusiasm for winemaking. The subsequent year, she joined Sonoma Vineyards, and by 1991 she became the winemaker at Windsor Vineyards, where she honed her expertise in Zinfandel. Over nineteen years at Windsor, she crafted 45 distinct wines. Shelton eventually departed due to insufficient acknowledgment and a male-centric leadership environment; notably, despite her contributions, she was not credited when Windsor received the Golden Winery Award in 1996. In 2000, together with her husband Mitch Mackenzie, she established Shelton-Mackenzie Wine Company, overseeing both a proprietary wine label and a consulting firm named Vincare. Additionally, Shelton served on the board of Zinfandel Advocate Producers from 1994 through 1998.
Carol Shelton Wines
The Shelton-Mackenzie Wine Company produces Carol Shelton Wines, which emphasizes single-vineyard Zinfandel offerings. Prominent labels under this brand include Wild Thing, Karma Zin, Black Magic Late Harvest Zinfandel, and Monga Zin. Monga Zin is crafted from dry-farmed old vines located in the Cucamonga Valley AVA, while Wild Thing features wild yeast fermentation using grapes sourced from Mendocino County, California. Karma Zin is composed of 85% Zinfandel blended with Alicante Bouschet, Carignane, and Petite Sirah harvested from century-old vines in the Russian River Valley AVA. The collection also comprises rosé selections such as Rendezvous Rosé and Mendocino County Dry Rosé, alongside dessert wines. The 2007 rosé vintage was produced exclusively from Carignane grapes. As of 2008, their lineup includes Coquille Blanc—a blend of Grenache blanc, Roussanne, and Viognier. Annual production reaches roughly 15,000 cases. The brand’s label features a female figure embodying Shelton's "alter-ego." Their tasting room and production operations are situated within an industrial complex in Santa Rosa, California.
Awards
Shelton has earned multiple prestigious honors throughout her career, with her wines securing top prizes at the California State Fair.
- 1993: Andre Tchelistcheff Winemaker of the Year awarded by Bon Appétit
- 1996: Jerry Mead's Winemaker of the Year
- 1996: Golden Winery Award at California State Fair
- 1999: Dan Berger's Winemaker of the Year
- 2005: Winemaker of the Year by San Francisco Chronicle
External links
- Official website
- Carol Shelton Wines featured on Touring & Tasting
- Interview with Carol Shelton published by Indigo Winepress