WINEMAKER INTERVIEW
WITH WINE COUNTRY CONNECTION AND
PHILIPPE MELKA
SOME BACKGROUND ON
PHILIPPE MELKA
These early chapters provided the rich soil from which his influence would flourish upon venturing to California in the late 90s. With a deft touch, Philippe reshaped the landscape of Californian winemaking, lending his expertise to renowned estates, including Lail Vineyards, Parallel, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, Della Valle, and Bryant Family.
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Five Questions with Super Star Winemaker Philippe Melka
WCC: What is your favorite varietal to work with, and why?
PHILIPPE: Cabernet Franc is my favorite variety and my first love as my master degree research was based on studying the different expression of Cabernet Franc planted in different soil type in Saint Emilion, Bordeaux. After many years working with it in Napa Valley, my Team and I realized that this varietal is one of the most heat resistant. This varietal always brings tension and tremendous energy beside aromatics complexity.
WCC: In your experience, what proves to be the most challenging aspect of being a winemaker?
PHILIPPE: The very high pricing and cost of production has induced a more limited amount of vineyard and winemaking experimentations.
WCC: How do you approach creating a new wine, and what factors influence your decisions in the winemaking process?
PHILIPPE: Ideally, we would like to make sure that we have an opportunity to create a unique product – It would come from the site, the architecture of the vineyard, the farming, and also ideally, a strong story behind the project with a commitment of excellence. The general philosophy and/or the vineyard site of the project would influence the winemaking process by for example focussing on the wine’s texture and structure or the freshness and the purity of the fruit etc,,,,Regarding our foundation of winemaking, it would always be making a product with a long aging capability!!
WCC: Are there any specific trends or innovations in the wine industry that you’re least excited about and why?
PHILIPPE: All the low alcohol or flavored brands……all the innovations transforming and standardizing the wines.
WCC: Can you share a unique aspect about yourself that people may not be aware of?
PHILIPPE: I am a big fan of Tequila, and I am in the process of developing a Tequila brand. https://felicentetequila.com/
Interested in trying some of Philippe’s wines? Click on the name of the wine to read more.
WESTWOOD WINES 2019 ‘LEGEND’ SONOMA COUNTY PROPRIETARY RED WINE
THE VINEYARD HOUSE 2013 OAKVILLE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
THE VINEYARD HOUSE 2016 OAKVILLE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
PIROUETTE 2019 COLUMBIA VALLEY RED WINE
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