Kelly Fleming Wines

Kelly Fleming Wines is a small Calistoga estate where Celia Welch, one of Napa Valley's most respected female winemakers, crafts Cabernet Sauvignon from 7 acres of carefully tended vineyard. Founded in 2002 by Kelly Fleming, a former environmental attorney who left law for agriculture, the estate benefits from both its prime Calistoga location and Welch's extraordinary talent. Celia Welch, whose resume includes Scarecrow, Corra, and numerous other prestigious addresses, brings a gentle precision to the Kelly Fleming wines that produces results of consistent quality.

The 7-acre vineyard sits on the warm Calistoga benchland, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon on volcanic soils that provide excellent drainage and mineral nutrition. The warm Calistoga climate produces fruit of full ripeness and generous flavor, while the volcanic soils add a mineral dimension that prevents the wines from becoming one-dimensionally fruity. The small scale allows for farming of exceptional care, with each vine receiving individual attention throughout the growing season.

Celia Welch produces a focused portfolio that includes the estate Cabernet Sauvignon and a Sauvignon Blanc. The Cabernet is rich and polished, with the dark fruit and soft tannins of warm Calistoga fruit shaped by Welch's characteristically restrained hand. The wine is approachable on release but structured enough to reward several years of aging. The Sauvignon Blanc, from the estate's cooler sections, provides a crisp, refreshing white option. The wines are well-priced for the Celia Welch pedigree, representing genuine quality at a fraction of her cult wine clients' prices.

Tastings are by appointment and conducted on the estate, where the intimate setting and personal service reflect the small production scale. Celia Welch's involvement is the main draw for visitors familiar with her work at Scarecrow and other prestigious estates, and the staff can explain how her style adapts to the Calistoga terroir. The $85 fee includes the full portfolio.

Kelly Fleming provides access to Celia Welch's winemaking talent at a fraction of her cult wine clients' prices and waiting lists. The 7-acre estate produces wines that demonstrate Welch's consistent ability to coax quality from any site she touches, and the Calistoga terroir provides a distinctive canvas for her elegant, precision-focused style.