Philippe Melka Collection

Philippe Melka stands tall among the world's most esteemed consultants, in the same elite winemaking league as luminaries like Michel Rolland, Helen Turley, and Stéphane Derenoncourt. In 2008, Robert Parker crowned him one of the "world's most influential wine consultants," an accolade befitting his remarkable career. Across the years, he's garnered multiple 100-point scores while overseeing renowned producers including Dominus, Dana Estates, Dalla Valle, Bryant Family, and Hundred Acre, to name a few. Hailing from Bordeaux, he is both a Bordeaux transplant and a master of soils, having contributed his expertise to esteemed Chateaux like Cheval Blanc and Haut-Brion before journeying to the United States. The quality of Melka's wines is exemplified by Robert Parker's assertion that any wine linked to his name exudes "undeniably high, high quality."

Philippe Melka: Journey to Global Recognition

Born in Bordeaux's maritime hub, Melka's initial fascination with geology eventually converged with his innate interest in wine. Following his undergraduate studies, he embarked on a journey that led to a master's in Agronomy and Enology, setting the stage for his profound involvement in the world of wine. A pivotal juncture emerged with his internship at Haut-Brion, where the study of soils captivated him. Here, he met Jean-Claude Berrouet, the technical director of Château Petrus, who ultimately catalyzed Melka's relocation to the United States.

Melka's American journey commenced with a role at Dominus, one of Napa Valley's first cult wines. Overcoming language barriers, he mastered English on the job, aided by Cherie, a lab technician who evolved into his partner and business confidant. The evolution continued with international stints, traversing Australia, Italy, and France, before settling in California.

In 1995, Philippe Melka and his wife embarked on a new chapter, founding Melka Consulting. Their expertise graced Napa and Sonoma, where they nurtured illustrious names like Dana Estates, Dalla Valle, Bryant Family, and Hundred Acre. At Dana Estates, he crafted his first 100-point wine, while also contributing to Hundred Acre's ascension into the revered "cult wine" stratum. Melka's trailblazing path was marked by success and a cascade of 100-point accolades. In Napa Valley's storied history, his name finds company with legends such as André Tchelistcheff, Michel Rolland, and Thomas Rivers Brown.

Philippe Melka Winemaker: Crafting Exceptional Wines

Today, Melka's enduring mark reverberates across Napa's vineyards, leaving an unmistakable imprint. His signature style encompasses bold, opulent, and rich red wines, distinguished by their intense character, impeccable balance, and substantial mouthfeel. These wines are crafted for extended aging, seamlessly harmonizing the vigor of new-world fruit with the elegance of old-world refinement. The enigma of his magic artistry remains a mystery—perhaps Melka's soil expertise bestows a spellbinding touch to his wines.

Melka Estates & Winery

Starting in 1996, Philippe Melka and his wife, Cherie, opened their winery Melka Estates with the intent to produce four distinct brands that fully express the terroirs of their vineyards. With Metisse, Mekera, Majestique, and CJ, the pair did just that, producing multiple labels from each brand and dazzling wine collectors and critics in the process. The main estate is located in the heart of Napa Valley's St. Helena, with a second location in Sonoma's Knights Valley. By pairing California's two best AVAs, Melka Estate wines regularly receive scores in the high 90s.

Enrich Your Wine Collection with Philippe Melka 100 Point Wines 

Philippe Melka isn't solely a leading figure in California's winemaking; he's also a symbol of distinction. His resume, resembling the wine equivalent to a professional sports Hall of Fame, speaks volumes about his contributions to the world's greatest estates and the array of 100-point wines under his tutelage. His stylistic influence has permeated California's winemaking landscape, fashioning the path for the next generation of vintners. Yet, remember, there is only one Philippe Melka, and his wines parallel rare treasures. For collectors and Napa Valley enthusiasts, we recommend enshrining some of Melka's wines in your curated collection. The demand for these exceptional wines is fervent, and their availability is fleeting.

Food and Wine perfectly documented his consultant experience in California: 

"Twenty-five years after launching their consulting business, Seavey Vineyards and Lail are still clients, along with roughly 30 others. Along the way, some highlights include Caldwell (1998-2005); Parallel Napa Valley (1999-present); Quintessa (1999-2002), which is also where he first met and worked with Rolland; Vineyard 29 (1999-2017); Hundred Acre (2000-2010); Bryant (2002-2006); and Dalla Valle in 2006. The consulting business, originally called Melka Consulting, is now Atelier Melka, and their clients include Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate, Nine Suns, Brand, Davis Estates, Raymond Vineyards, Tusk, and Westwood—to name just a few."

Atelier Melka: Philippe Melka Clients

Atelier Melka is Philippe Melka's premium wine consulting company, illustrating Melka's natural ability to craft world-class wines and transform up-and-coming estates into perennial heavy-hitters. Listed below are a few of the renowned estates Melka has played a helping hand in:

• Chateau Haut Brion
• Chateau Cheval Blanc
• Chateau Petrus
• Bryant Estate
• Colgin Cellars
• Dalla Valle
• Dana Estates
• Hundred Acre
• Lail Vineyards
• Nine Suns
• Bulgheroni
• Peter Michael Winery
• Tusk Estate
• Quintessa
• Seavey
• ADAMVS
• Vineyard 29

Add Philippe Melka Wine To Your Cellar

With a plethora of top producers to choose from Philippe Melka's portfolio, there is a bottle for every wine collector. From Bordeaux red blends to Napa cult icons, check out our vast collection of Melka wines and add a new bottle to your collection.