ATELIER MELKA - Key Persons
While practicing intellectual property law in Chicago, Brian discovered a passion for wine and decided to switch careers to winemaking. After spending a few years working at wineries in Napa, Sonoma, New Zealand, and the Finger Lakes, he went back to school at Cornell to obtain a master's degree in enology and viticulture. He has spent time training at some of California's most beloved wineries, including Spottswoode, Dalla Valle, and Flowers.
After receiving her Bachelors of Science in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis in 2006, Kelly moved to the Napa Valley and began her career as a winemaker. Working her way up from harvest intern, to enologist, to winemaker and general manager, she's had her hands in all aspects of wine production and winery operations. With experience at smaller, family owned wineries as well as larger, corporately structured facilities, her wealth of knowledge and ability to adapt to various situations while remaining team oriented is apparent. Specializing in producing elegant, refined, terroir driven Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, Kelly is also passionate about crafting intriguing red blends and aromatic white wines. She's excited to be an integral part of the Atelier Melka winemaking team.
Maayan has amassed an impressive winemaking resume spanning from the vineyards of Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle here in the Napa Valley,Working alongside some of the top winemakers and among the most coveted terroirs in the world. In 2014 Maayan Joined Atelier Melka, He brings a dynamic array of talents to the Melka team. With a background in Engineering and years of experience in both wineries and vineyards, Maayan plays a multifaceted role at Atelier Melka involved not only in winemaking and operations but design and implementation of winery development for clients.
Marnie graduated from UC Davis in 2015 with a degree in Viticulture and Enology. She worked harvest in the Sierra Foothills and Napa California before going across the pacific to New Zealand. After working harvest abroad she found a home in Napa Valley. Marnie worked for 5 years in production at some of Napa's premier wineries on Howell Mountain and in the Stags Leap District. There she learned how to make world class wines with a sense of place and passion. She was able to grow and hone her skills on the production team before joining the Melka team in 2021. Marnie is incredibly excited to be a part of the team making some of the best wines in the world.
Philippe brings over 30 years of winemaking experience from renowned Chateaux and Wineries mostly located in Bordeaux, France and Napa Valley, United States.
After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Viticulture & Enology in 2013, Tori spent more than five years as the right-hand to one of Napa Valley's top winemaking consultants working with some of the most renowned and highly coveted parcels in the world. Pulling from her formal training, robust experience, and expansive knowledge of ultra-premium wine production, Tori joined the Atelier Melka team in 2019 to oversee winemaking operations in all facets from vineyard to bottle.