Soil Whisperer &
Titan of Terroir
Philippe Melka
Like the celebrated wines on which he has built his reputation, Philippe Melka would be the first to tell you that his career has been primarily influenced by soil. His wines are exalted for their hallmark complexity, texture, and depth of flavor, all while harnessing the unique traits of the fruit from various plots of the soil. He describes his style as one that brings together his fluency in French winemaking tradition with a keen understanding of current industry trends and techniques.
“Every time I approach a new project, I set out to tell the truth of the vintage, of the vineyard, and of the moment. The truth is going to be different for every project. But the truth will always be the truth.”
A native of Bordeaux, Melka grew up fascinated by the intricacies of the land around him. Arriving in Napa Valley in 1991, he was immediately taken by and marveled at the array of soil types and composition, and it proved to be a complete revelation for him. Since 1995, he has been putting his stamp on Napa Valley’s wine industry, spearheading the programs for some of the region’s most revered wineries while garnering a list of accolades and 100-point scores along the way.