Amelia's Napa

Amelia Ceja is the first Mexican-American woman to open a commercial winery in Napa Valley. She has appeared on the Today Show and Univision and has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, More magazine, on the cover of Gastronomique En Vogue, and in TED Talk and PBS documentaries, to name a few.

Join Amelia as she uncovers the most beautiful scenes from Napa, shares recipes and lifestyle tips, engages in thought provoking conversations with local leaders, and highlights aspects of her proud heritage. 

The Rocky Mountains were basically my playground growing up, so I feel more comfortable climbing up solid granite than the colorful handholds at the local rock climbing gym. I boulder and climb indoors during the winter months, but sometimes those colors just confuse me. I like to make things up as I go. I compete internationally, but still live in Jackson, close to my parents, sister and nieces. I still do climbs with my mom and together—much to my sister’s chagrin—we’re starting to teach Kayla’s girls. I’m hoping to take them with me to my next competition at Lake Tahoe, California.

Favorite climb

The Arrowhead Arete, Yosemite

Height

700 ft.

Coordinates

37°43'42.9"N 119°38'09.9"W

“Every problem can have multiple solutions. To see them you have to look at the big picture overall. Don’t limit yourself to just one route.”

I won my first competition back in 2010 at the Mountain West Regional Championships held at Moab, Utah. Sending a 5.13a sport route in a single attempt earned me first place in the Men’s division. Before then, I’d received 1st and 2nd place at a few youth competitions. 2010 was my entry into the big leagues. A couple months after Moab, Utah, I traveled to El Paso, TX for the National Championships. I got second place by sending a 5.13c sport route in two attempts.

In 2012, I won first place in the Nationals held at Acadia National Park, Maine by flashing a V12 bouldering problem. It was my first time visiting the East Coast and I was glad to have been used to Jackson Hole’s more humid weather. I think that gave me an advantage that climbers from drier regions didn’t have. In 2015 I entered my first international competition in Cochamó, Patagonia, Chile. I didn’t place, but plan to for the 2016 championship in Krabi, Thailand.