Mastering the Zen of Zin

Carol Shelton has had an illustrious 35-year career in the wine industry. While getting her Enology degree from UC Davis, Carol worked with Dr. Ann Noble, of Wine Aroma Wheel fame. With BS in hand in 1978, Carol worked for Robert Mondavi, for Saltram’s in Australia’s Barossa Valley, and in 1980 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” three 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 carefully selected vineyards, with Zinfandel as their focus and passion. Their winery and tasting room are in an industrial park in Santa Rosa’s Urban Wine District, a small but welcoming home for her delicious wines.