Celia Welch, a highly regarded consultant in the Napa Valley, specializes in working with ultra-premium clients who have their own estate vineyards. Her expertise extends to producing a range of exceptional wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Chardonnay.
With her extensive knowledge and experience, Celia crafts wines that showcase the unique characteristics of each varietal and vineyard site. She pays meticulous attention to detail and employs various techniques to highlight the best qualities of the grapes.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the flagship wines that Celia Welch produces. This noble grape variety is known for its bold flavors and age-worthiness. Celia's approach to crafting Cabernet Sauvignon involves carefully selecting the best fruit from the estate vineyards and employing traditional winemaking techniques. The resulting wines are often rich, full-bodied, and exhibit a complex array of flavors such as black currant, blackberry, cedar, and spice.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, Celia also works with Merlot. Merlot is a versatile grape that can produce wines ranging from soft and approachable to bold and structured. Celia's Merlot wines often showcase ripe fruit flavors, velvety tannins, and a smooth texture. These wines can be enjoyed in their youth but also have the potential to age gracefully.
Petit Verdot is another varietal that Celia Welch incorporates into her winemaking repertoire. Often used as a blending component in Bordeaux-style wines, Petit Verdot can also shine as a single-varietal wine. Celia's approach to Petit Verdot involves harvesting the grapes at optimal ripeness to achieve a balance between intense fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and structured tannins. The resulting wine is typically full-bodied, with notes of dark fruits, violets, and spice.
Syrah, with its ability to produce both bold and elegant wines, is another varietal that Celia works with. Syrah can exhibit a range of flavors, including blackberry, plum, black pepper, and smoked meat. Celia harnesses the unique characteristics of the grape to create wines that express a sense of place and vintage. Her Syrah wines often showcase a combination of ripe fruit, savory elements, and a seamless integration of oak.
Celia also produces Petite Sirah, a lesser-known grape variety that can produce deeply colored and full-bodied wines. Petite Sirah is known for its bold flavors of blackberry, blueberry, and dark chocolate, as well as its firm tannins. Celia works with this grape to create wines that are powerful yet balanced, with a rich concentration of fruit and a long, lingering finish.
Lastly, Chardonnay is a white varietal that Celia Welch incorporates into her portfolio. Chardonnay is a versatile grape that can be crafted into a range of styles, from crisp and refreshing to rich and buttery. Celia's Chardonnay wines often showcase a balance between vibrant acidity, ripe fruit flavors, and subtle oak influence. These wines can exhibit notes of citrus, tropical fruits, apple, and vanilla, depending on the winemaking techniques employed.
Celia Welch's expertise as a consultant in the Napa Valley extends to producing a diverse range of ultra-premium wines. From the bold and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon to the elegant and nuanced Chardonnay, Celia showcases her skill and passion for winemaking through her exceptional creations.