Philippe and his wife, Cherie, are co-proprietors for Melka Estates. Under Melka Estates are 4 distinct brands: Métisse from Napa Valley, Mekerra from Sonoma Valley, Majestique from sites around the world and CJ, also from Napa Valley.
Philippe learned winemaking and vineyard techniques from prestigious estates like Haut Brion, Chittering Estate, Badio O Coltibuono, the Moueix domains and Dominus. He began his career working at wineries in France (Château Haut-Brion and Château Petrus), Italy (Badia a Coltibuono), Australia (Chittering Estate) and California (Dominus and Ridge) before settling in the Napa Valley in the '90s.
In addition to founding his own winery, Philippe has consulted for notable brands including Fairchild Napa Valley, Cliff Lede, Hundred Acre, Seavy and Sosie. His style is a blend of his French influence with techniques like gentle harvesting, extended skin contact, use of new oak and his ‘American’ insights about artisanal farming as well as winemaking.
Philippe was born and raised in the Bordeaux region and graduated from the University of Bordeaux with a degree in geology in 1989 and then earned a second degree in enology in 1991, specializing in agronomy and vineyard soils.