The Road To Zen
Carol Shelton is widely cited as the most awarded winemaker in the United States. She has won countless medals for her wines and has been honored as Winemaker of the Year numerous times. After years of working with some of the industry’s top winemakers and wineries, Carol continues to win awards and accolades for premium Zinfandels produced under her own brand, Carol Shelton Wines.
Launching Carol Shelton Wines
In 2000 Carol and her husband Mitch Mackenzie, a former software engineer, launched their own brand – Carol Shelton Wines. Faced with the opportunity to create her own identity and focus on whatever varietals she wanted, Carol chose Zinfandel.
Drawing from the finest Zin appellations throughout California, Carol carefully selects vineyards producing stellar fruit that reflect the terroir of the region. Carol develops close partnerships with each grower to ensure she is kept abreast of the changes in the vineyards and the evolution of the growing season.
Each of Carol’s wines receives its own whimsical, “memorable” name, echoing her love for words and wine. Her Wild Thing Zin denotes that the wine is produced only using the wild yeasts found on organically grown grapes. Karma Zin signifies the wonderful good luck that brought Carol to an incredible 100+ year-old vineyard in Russian River Valley. The appellation of Cucamonga got merged with the “humongous” flavor descriptor for the Monga Zin, and the Rocky Reserve is Carol’s nickname for the wonderful reserve Zin she makes from the Rockpile appellation.
Carol Shelton Wines produces 5000 cases a year, with distribution throughout the U.S. and internationally. With an eye to the future, Carol has added a few non-Zin varietals and is slowly increasing production to meet the demands for her wines.
In 2000 Carol and her husband Mitch Mackenzie, a former software engineer, launched their own brand – Carol Shelton Wines. Faced with the opportunity to create her own identity and focus on whatever varietals she wanted, Carol chose Zinfandel.
Drawing from the finest Zin appellations throughout California, Carol carefully selects vineyards producing stellar fruit that reflect the terroir of the region. Carol develops close partnerships with each grower to ensure she is kept abreast of the changes in the vineyards and the evolution of the growing season.
Each of Carol’s wines receives its own whimsical, “memorable” name, echoing her love for words and wine. Her Wild Thing Zin denotes that the wine is produced only using the wild yeasts found on organically grown grapes. Karma Zin signifies the wonderful good luck that brought Carol to an incredible 100+ year-old vineyard in Russian River Valley. The appellation of Cucamonga got merged with the “humongous” flavor descriptor for the Monga Zin, and the Rocky Reserve is Carol’s nickname for the wonderful reserve Zin she makes from the Rockpile appellation.
Carol Shelton Wines produces 5000 cases a year, with distribution throughout the U.S. and internationally. With an eye to the future, Carol has added a few non-Zin varietals and is slowly increasing production to meet the demands for her wines.
 2007 Rendezvous Rose |
 Monga Zin 2005 |
 Sweet Caroline 2006 Late Harvest |
 Wild Thing Zin 2005 |