Napa & Sonoma Winemakers

Celia Welch

Winemaker · Scarecrow · Napa Valley

Celia Welch is the winemaker behind Scarecrow, whose Rutherford Cabernet has earned multiple perfect scores, and she has made wine for Barbour, Sylvan Lake, J. Davies, Staglin and many others. Food & Wine named her Winemaker of the Year in 2008.

Rutherford vineyard rows at sunrise

About Celia Welch

  • Earned a B.S. in Fermentation Science from UC Davis in 1982, mentored by Professor Ann Noble.
  • Joined Silverado Vineyards in 1987 to build its quality-control program.
  • Became assistant winemaker at Robert Pepi winery in 1991 and started consulting for Staglin Family Vineyard around 1992.
  • Went independent as a consultant and winemaker in 1995.
  • Launched her own Cabernet label, Corra, in 2004; later wound it down when she took on Sylvan Lake Vineyards.
  • Named Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine in 2008 and nominated for a James Beard award in 2009.
  • Has worked with vineyards in every Napa County AVA as well as elsewhere in California, Oregon and Argentina.
  • Her 2012 Scarecrow was the top lot at Premiere Napa Valley 2017, with 60 bottles selling for $260,000.
  • Named Director of Winemaking at Scarecrow in mid-2026 after years as its consulting winemaker.
  • Inducted into the Women for WineSense Winemaker's Hall of Fame.

Celia's own wines

  • Corra Wines · 2004–c.2024

Where Celia makes wine today

Wineries Celia has made wine for

Consulting relationships change often; these are clients past and recent as reported over the years.

Notable wines and scores

  • 2014 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford: 100 pts, Robert Parker / Wine Advocate (also 100 Jeb Dunnuck)
  • 2019 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford: 100 pts, Robert Parker / Wine Advocate (also 100 Jeb Dunnuck)
  • 2021 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford: 98 pts, Wine Advocate
  • 2018 Lindstrom Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District: 96 pts, Jeb Dunnuck
  • 2019 J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain: 95 pts, Decanter

Recognition

  • Food & Wine Winemaker of the Year, 2008
  • James Beard Award nomination, 2009
  • Women for WineSense Winemaker's Hall of Fame
  • Top lot, Premiere Napa Valley auction (Scarecrow 2012, $260,000 for 60 bottles), 2017

Taste Celia's wines in wine country

Many of these wineries are by appointment only, and some sell only to their mailing lists. Tell us which wines you would like to taste and your chauffeur will book what is possible and build the day around it. See our Napa Valley wine tours and Sonoma County wine tours, or plan a private tour.

Sources

webpages.scu.edu · triciawinewanderings.substack.com · grandcruliquidassets.com · palatexposure.com · vinfolio.com

Taste these wines with Bien

Many of these wineries are by appointment only. Tell us the wines you want to taste and your chauffeur books what is possible and builds the day around it.

Private six-hour tours with your own chauffeur and luxury SUV for up to 6 guests, from $600 plus gratuity. Bottled water and tasting appointments included.

Plan My Wine Tour

Prefer to talk? Call or text 833-915-2436.

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