When diverse backgrounds, sensibilities, and strengths come together, we can expect great things. From day one we have pursued partnerships with those who are passionate and skilled in what they do, possessing a deep respect for the vineyard and for the supporters who collect and enjoy our wines so ardently.
Kelly Fleming
A native of Oregon, Kelly came to wine with deep experience in fine restaurants, a love of farming, and a solid background in art and architecture. As a restaurateur she visited Napa Valley often, and in 1998 she purchased the 300-acre Calistoga property that would become Kelly Fleming Wines. Over the years she oversaw the development of the site’s 12-acre vineyard and the construction of caves and a winery, overcoming obstacles such as water scarcity, fire danger, red tape, and even a persistent wild bear. An avid gardener, beekeeper and animal lover – as comfortable with a forklift as an adding machine - Kelly has turned a precious piece of land into a Napa Valley oasis, a place where the wild and the tamed, the undeveloped and the cultivated, live comfortably side by side.
Jennifer Williams - Winemaker
Jennifer graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a major in Agriculture. In the summer of 1995, she came to the Napa Valley to study viticulture as a harvest intern at Beaulieu Vineyards. After graduating, she joined Trefethen Family Vineyards as an enologist. She worked in the vineyards and wineries at Spottswoode Estate and Araujo Estate Wines. She has worked on the Central Coast, Washington’s Walla Walla and in Spain’s Rioja Alavesa regions. In 2004 Williams was named vineyard manager at Spottswoode and then winemaker in 2006. For the past 12 years, she has operated a winemaking consulting business working with clients to craft luxury wines.
Rebecca George
Growing up in the Mojave Desert, Rebecca’s affinity for the natural world was stoked on long hikes with her father, who also instilled in her an appreciation of biology and botany. After studying winemaking at both UC Davis and The University of Adelaide, Rebecca apprenticed in Burgundy and Australia’s Yarra Valley and spent several years at highly respected California wineries such as Marcassin, Williams Selyem and Schramsberg. Rebecca joined Kelly Fleming Wines in 2011 and has served as winemaker from 2013 to 2022 with her last Cabernet Vintage being 2019. Working closely with Vineyard Manager Mike Wolf and consulting winemaker Francoise Peschon, she applied a thoughtful, hands-on yet non-interventionist approach that reflects a respect for nature, farming and the vineyards with which she works.
Karen McFarland - Kelly Fleming Estate Director
McFarland brings extensive expertise from her 15 years in the luxury wine sector from her time working with several noteworthy winemakers, to include Celia Welch and Heidi Barrett. She has directed sales, marketing and operations for DTC sales and events. She has also been responsible for the estate management of several wineries. Karen oversees our DTC sales team and handles all new vintage and library releases.
Connor R. Dake - Private Client Sales
Connor grew up with agriculture in his blood, helping his parents cultivate their commercial farm — Dean York Gardens, neighboring the famous Spottswood Estate in St. Helena. After studying marketing at Golden Gate University, he returned to the Napa Valley to parlay his education into experience, working for legacy wineries such as Merryvale and Grgich Hills. He spent his last six years honing his luxury wine and hospitality mastery with the Clark family at Amizetta Estate on Howell Mountain. Connor is a wealth of local knowledge about the history of the wine growing region. He continues to pursue memorable, curated experiences for Kelly Fleming members and guests.
Mike Wolf
For Mike, grape growing is not a series of events; it's a continuous process without beginning or end. With over thirty years of vineyard management experience in northern California, Mike farms grapes for some of Napa Valley's most prestigious vineyards and wineries, and his many career achievements earned him recognition as 2015 Grower of the Year by the Napa Grape Growers Association. An integral part of our team since 2012, Mike has taken a hands-on approach to fine-tuning our vineyard blocks, making adjustments in pruning, trellising, canopy management and irrigation to ensure full and even ripening and to expose and accentuate the different characteristics of each block.