Carol Shelton has had an illustrious 48-year career in the wine industry. While getting her Enology degree from UC Davis, Carol worked with Dr. Ann Noble, the developer of the famed Wine Aroma Wheel, now used around the globe to help people find a common language when describing wine. As one of the first few women to receive her BS in Enology in 1978, Carol worked for Robert Mondavi, Saltram’s in Australia’s Barossa Valley, and at Buena Vista, where she was mentored by the great Andre Tchelistcheff.
As Winemaker for Windsor Vineyards from 1981 till 2000, her wines drew great acclaim, and she earned the title of “Most Awarded Winemaker in America” as well as “Winemaker of the Year” five times. Carol left Windsor in early 2000 to form Carol Shelton Wines with her husband, Mitch Mackenzie. Their goal is to craft small lots from vineyards that she carefully selects as the best expression of varietal style, with both Zinfandel and Rhône wines as both a focus and a passion. She continues to draw acclaim, earning 90+ scores consistently, winning many Gold+ medals and Best of Show awards. She has been named “Winemaker of the Year” a record eleven times, and her wines have been featured in the annual Wine Spectator’s “Top 100 Wines of the World” four times in the past ten years and in the Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 list last year. Carol is a highly sought-after wine educator who is warm and down-to-earth, who loves to share her delicious wines with others.