Doug Welsch began as the winemaker at Fenn Valley at its inception in 1973, the same year he graduated from a science curriculum at Illinois State University. Though trained as a high school biology and chemistry teacher, Doug felt another calling in life. Doug and his father Bill Welsch, planned and planted their current 50 acres of vineyards from raw farmland. They built the winery a year later to enter the commercial market after years of family home winemaking. As the winery's only winemaker for the first 22 years, he has been responsible for the direction and style of its "premium estate bottled" wines that have earned Fenn Valley over 200 awards and national recognition.

Doug Welsch and Fenn Valley have been recognized as leaders in the development and promotion of the Michigan wine industry. Working closely with researchers from Michigan State University, they have aggressively supported and participated in the quality progression of premium Michigan wine grapes. Doug has also given numerous lectures at regional and national industry conferences, with topics ranging from basic winemaking techniques to innovative methods of marketing and tapping the tourist niche.

Though constantly striving to further the advancement of the Michigan wine industry, Doug prefers to remain a small family operation and perfect his winemaking skills to fill the niche of a specialized premium winery. Having built his home right in the middle of the vineyards with his wife Lynn and their two children, he has a constant view of his efforts.

Doug Welsch is a professional member of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture, an active member of the American Vintner's Association, and an affiliate member of Tasters Guild, International. Besides a winemaker's natural inclination from wine to food and cooking, Doug enjoys cooking, photography and teaches scuba diving on the side.