August 4, 2025 (Calistoga, CA) — Checkerboard Vineyards, a producer of remarkable wines from its property mountainside in Napa Valley, introduced the appointment of Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky as winemakers.
Philippe Melka started his wine journey touring the world’s main wine areas to check soil and make wine, together with Château Petrus in Bordeaux, Australia’s Chittering Property, Badia a Coltibuono in Tuscany, and Napa Valley’s Dominus Property. He was named one of many High 9 winemakers on this planet by famend critic Robert Parker. Previous to becoming a member of Philippe at Atelier Melka, Maayan Koschitzky started his winemaking profession within the vineyards of Israel earlier than coming to Napa Valley to hitch Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle. Philippe and Maayan have been instrumental in creating a few of Napa Valley’s most revered wines and have made a signification contribution to the Napa Valley wine neighborhood.
At Checkerboard Vineyards, the winemaking duo could have duty for each side of the vineyard’s portfolio of wines, from grape cultivation to mixing and bottling.
“We’re excited to welcome Philippe and Maayan to Checkerboard and look ahead to working collectively to proceed our legacy of fantastic wine,” mentioned Dennis O’Neil, co-founder of Checkerboard Vineyards. “The chance to attract on their mixed experience, which incorporates posts at famend Chateaus and wineries all through the world, could have a long-lasting impact on our wines and with our collectors.”
“Checkerboard Vineyards is a type of uncommon websites in Napa Valley the place you may create a portfolio of actually various wines,” mentioned Maayan Koschitzky. “With vineyards at various elevations and exposures unfold throughout a whole mountainside, every wine is characteristically distinctive and influenced by its Diamond Mountain terroir.”
About Checkerboard Vineyards
Checkerboard Vineyards is an property situated on Diamond Mountain in Napa Valley that features a vineyard, caves, and 4 winery websites, joined by a two-and-one-half-mile drive spanning the valley flooring to the highest of the mountain ridge. This dramatic setting is the inspiration for the distinctive, distinctive wines of Checkerboard Vineyards. Its wine portfolio consists of three single-vineyard wines, Checkerboard Aurora Winery, Checkerboard Coyote Ridge Winery, and Checkerboard Nash Creek Winery, in addition to Checkerboard Kings Row, Checkerboard Impetuous, and a Sauvignon Blanc and Rose. The portfolio is bought completely to personal wine collectors and choose eating places. For extra data, please go to www.checkerboardvineyards.com.
About Philippe Melka, Maayan Koschitzky, and Atelier Melka
Atelier Melka is a particular wine consulting firm specializing in small manufacturing, hand-crafted high-end wines, working collaboratively with the house owners of household wineries who’re devoted to producing world-class wines.
