September has turned out to be one that will remain as a fixed marker in our timeline for years to come, as we have worked pull together the strands of the business that help us introduce to you what we are and who we represent.
Our website new and improved, our price list full of great stories, amazing producers, and the most fantastic wines, and the wine offer we are bringing to the U.K. trade one that we are exceptionally proud of.
“Winemaker Philippe Melka couldn’t make a bad wine if he tried. He’s the wine- world equivalent of an NBA All-Star who’s won numerous Championship games— in his case, a string of 100-point scores—and played for all the best teams.”
Jonathan Cristaldi, Food & Wine Magazine
Like the celebrated wines on which he’s built his reputation, Philippe Melka’s career has been influenced by soil. A native of Bordeaux, Melka grew up intrigued by the intricacies of the land around him. A class in winemaking in his final year was a turning point, propelling him to earn a Master’s degree in Agronomy and Enology. His first position out of school was at Château Haut Brion. From there, he took a position with the reputable Moueix Company and was sent to Dominus Estate in Yountville to study soils in 1991. Napa Valley soil proved to be a revelation for Melka. He set out traveling, dividing time between soil study and winemaking at world renowned wineries Badio O Coltibuono in Chianti and Chittering Estate in Australia. He returned to France in 1993 to deepen his expertise among the Moueix domains. He has been fortunate to have been trained and influenced by some of the most notable personalities in the wine business such as Jean Delmas and Jean Philippe Masclef from Haut-Brion, Christian Moueix and Jean Claude Berrouet from Petrus, Paul Draper from Ridge, Daniel Baron from Silver Oak and the globetrotting wine consultant Michel Rolland with whom he continues to work with on consulting projects. In 1994, he returned to Napa full time, and for the past 25 years, Melka has served as winemaking consultant for some of Napa’s most highly regarded properties under his company Atelier Melka founded in 1995.
Having earned her degree in Microbiology at Northern Arizona University, Cherie Melka was ready to begin her working life and California had always held a soft spot in her heart. After spending six years working as a laboratory technician for two medical microbiological companies, her interest in the science behind the process of making wine caused her to switch to another sector within her field. She was fortunate enough to have obtained a position with Ridge Vineyards in 1989. For five years, she ran the laboratory at Ridge Vineyards as the enologist, working under the direction of legendary winemaker Paul Draper. It was during this time, that she gained an in depth understanding of all things related to production. Participating in all the blending and tasting sessions refined her palate. In 1991, she met the intern at Dominus Estate – Philippe Melka. They set out for Europe together and in 1994 she earned a diploma in French Studies from the University of Bordeaux III.
“Over the last decade, Bordeaux-trained Philippe Melka’s reputation has been impeccable given the extraordinary work he has done under his own brand as well as one of the most respected consultants in Napa Valley.”
Robert Parker
If you would like to receive information on our Melka offer, please email either Stephen or Elaine and we will be in touch.