“My main focus here is Atelier Melka. What we do is make great wines and truly enjoy this valley.”
Koschitzky works with private clients as well.
That brand is Brilliant Mistake, which produces a riveting small lot, ultra premium Cabernet Sauvignon. Stacy & John Reinert rely on their consulting winemaker, Maayan Koschitzky heavily to produce their Napa Valley brand. So I am heading up Napa Valley to the quaint and somewhat subdued town of St. Helena. Koschitzky’s been in the valley for a little over five years and his impact has definitely been felt. First at Screaming Eagle, and the last three years at Atelier Phillipe Melka. He also has a number of clients he consults for.
“Napa Valley is an amazing place. There’s a lot of diversity in a very small valley.”
Koschitzky wasn’t always going to be a winemaker. He comes from a family of farmers growing fruits and vegetables. Born and raised in Israel, he went to school and studied engineering. Disheartened by the prospect of sitting at the computer all day he longed for the outdoors. Returning to farming would solve that problem. The correlation between engineering and winemaking was evident to Koschitzky. Engineering gave him the experience he needed working with machinery. Wineries required machinery to do the heavy lifting. Machinery use is pervasive in the wine industry. It’s used for harvest, crush, fermentation, aging, and packaging. A change to winemaking would enable him to leverage his creative abilities and his technical skills while embracing his love for farming. The vineyards would prove to be key grounds to learn from and enable him to expand his knowledge base growing vines. He made the switch in 2005 to winemaking.
“The truth is, Napa Valley is a very expensive place to make wine.”
Israel entered the grape growing realm with vineyards planted in the late 1800s by Baron Edmond de Rothschild. The wineries started by making Kosher wine and tended to be sweet and the mono dimensional. Today, with over 20,000 acres and state-of-the-art irrigation which was created by Israeli farmers and engineers they have already learned a great deal about working in arid and climates with little water. The Israeli’s are the inventors of drip irrigation, a technology that has revolutionized vineyard farming and is widely used in California. Thriving in this area are many of the grapes popular in Napa Valley, which would one day become home to Koschitzky.
In 2008 Koschitzky went to work for a mentor who would help change his trajectory. Dr. Yair Margalit was interested in winemaking as a visiting research professor at U.C. Davis. He was later instrumental in creating Israel’s first serious boutique winery. The Margalit Winery creates some of the best reds in Israel, from Bordeaux blends (Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec) including Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc. It was a perfect training ground for Koschitzky who remained with Margalit for three years.
“Napa is the World of Cabernet Sauvignon”
Pondering the possibility of Napa Valley, he first discussed a move with his wife. Shortly after, a friend returned to Israel from Napa Valley the stage was set. He and his family would head to Napa for Harvest and to expand his wine education at U.C. Davis. In 2011 he applied for several internships in The Valley. The first call back was for an interview with none other than Screaming Eagle. One of the several revered cult wines in “The Valley”. Koschitzky was unfamiliar with the brand at the time. The brand wields Bottles of this cult wine range from $1995.00 to $2450.00 if you’re not in the wine club. If you want to get into the Screaming Eagle wine club the waitlist is approximately 15 years. The magic in the bottle as I’ve heard is ethereal.
He flew in for the interview and after it was over returned to his wife and told her “Let’s do this!”. Taking a step back as an intern, gave him a unique perspective having already been a winemaker. He learned the ropes at Screaming Eagle’s state of the art winery. The winery was completed just before Koschitzky joined the 2011 Harvest. The philosophy of Screaming Eagle would change how Koschitzky thought about winemaking. The philosophy was unique. No expense spared, the best vineyard, and only exceptional fruit makes the cut.
Maayan Koschitzky is the director of winemaking at Atelier Phillipe Melka (a wine consulting venture) and Melka Wines. Atelier Melka is responsible for creating wine for close to 20 clients, with renowned winemaker & entrepreneur Phillipe Melka. Koschitzky says Melka is an authentic artist who loves what he does. With 25 years in the game, Melka and his wife Cherie launch their own state of the art winery on the Silverado Trail. They will celebrate the opening with the first harvest of the year.
“I’m trying to make a wine that is a winemaker’s wine. I’m not looking for high price points, but a fun, fresh wine. A more approachable, day to day wine.”
Koschitzky provides clients with design and implementation services of wineries. His next step is creating his own brand. He’s partnered with Silverado Farming Company to make his own line of wines called La Pelle (meaning shovel in French). It’s coming full circle for him as he returns to his roots. He explains, “In our story, we went to that name and the brand (La Pelle) because that is who we are. On the farming side, we’re digging the soil and planting the vines. Once the tank is dry and we are ready to go to the barrel, we drain the juice to the barrels. We dig the tank out with shovels. It felt like the right tool to close the cycle of the brand.”
The first vintage for La Pelle will be bottled this year. A Sauvignon Blanc from old vines that have been dry-farmed in St. Helena. “This year’s Sauvignon Blanc looks really fantastic. The flavors are excellent as is the yield,” says Koschitzky. At the time of this post, the Chardonnay was just two weeks from harvest. The La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon will be bottled in May of 2018.
Alice Tetienne of Champagne Henriot Organic is important, but not necessarily the best. It is but one part of the equation. We have to be
Barodlino has a rich history in both wine and culture. There is no better Rosé that takes the beauty of the region and expresses it than Chiaretto Rosé.
Could it be that this region, today known as the Fastest Growing Wine Region in the United States is the world’s next Napa Valley? This is Idaho Wine Country.
All I want to do... is have some fun @tressabores #NapaValley check them out. Absolutely outstanding down to earth vibe and wine that`s better for you and planet earth. Sustainable, organic & truly killer wine! #certifiedsustainable #certifiedorganic
I know no joy as great as a moment of rushing into a new love, no ecstasy like that of a new love.
~ Anais Nin
The words say it all. Magnificent drink. If you can get it. @turleywine 2015 Napa Valley Library Block Petite Syrah
Dark, brooding with a side of magnificent freshness.
And now back to Paris for a formidably fabulous Friday! Michelin-star restaurant- check! Fabulous dark and exquisite library for enjoying cocktails, a breathtaking entrance of a French hideaway from years ago...
Stunning Michelin star restaurant and beautiful bibliothèque with Parisian friends.
Bookmark this spot! I don’t often share where I dine unless I am out of the country, but because so many people ask 💋🍷💋#TheWineSiren I am going to change that. Take my favorite brunch and Fried Chicken spot! @southsidenapa offers not only some of the freshest most inviting dishes in Napa, they also have a wide array of coffee, tea, wine and bubbles to pair your dishes with.
Its one of the few #petfriendly places with great food and an inviting team. Lots of talent here in the food arena and the outdoor seating area is equipped with swinging chairs, a fire pit and comfortable seating inside and out.
Fried Chicken you ask? Yes! Pairs perfectly with your Napa Valley Sparkling and #Champagne.The best in Napa Valley. Make sure and call ahead, they often sell out.
Hours are 8am-2pm
Breakfast served all day and an expanded lunch menu.
With over 30 years of sustainability under their belt, Domaine Carneros has a big headstart in the way of sustainability. They built the first significant solar installation, recognized as the largest in the world at the time. Far beyond complacent, Domaine Carneros continues to push the limits and try new techniques and strategies to improve their abilities.
Domaine Carneros
An incredible indulgence and the ultimate experience.
It’s in my neighborhood. Two miles away door to door. Why do I find myself returning again and again? Because this is one of the most stunning destinations in Carneros and Napa Valley. Stunning in both taste and views.
The skies, the ultimate blue, the vineyard hills throughout the landscape. It’s a breathtaking pinch yourself situation no matter how often you visit.
The team is so welcoming and the sparkling wine is world class and made sustainably. If you’re ready to step up your sparkling wine game this is where you need to be.
The wines tasted:
2016 Estate Brut Cuvée (late disgorge) ripe pear, white flowers, creamy, beautiful structure.
2019 Brut Rosé Pinot Noir & Chardonnay, incredible well poised, citrus, red berries, almonds and floral notes
2015 Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs Tête de Cuvée The dream. A signature must taste from the most prized blocks of Chardonnay. Evocative of citrus curd, pie crust, a nuance of ginger and tart lemon. I could drink this all day every day!
2017 Ultra Brut Tropical fruit, lime, lemon zest, crisp, lovely palate and exquisite finish.
The ultimate indulgence, featuring three of Tsar Nicoulai’s finest caviars:
Classic, Select, and Golden Reserve
Served with potato chips, toast points, and Cowgirl Creamery crème fraîche.
Make your reservation today!
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Incredible experience and it keeps on getting better every time I visit. Have you been to @goosecrosscellars ?
Fantastic red white and Rosé wine. There is absolutely something for everyone. Including clothes for the shoppers amongst us.
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Learn about new products, wine travel tips and the latest on wine, food and fab.
Learn about new products, wine travel tips and the latest on wine, food and fab.
5 Responses
What a cool story. I have heard of many reasons people have gotten into the wine industry, but finding it through the machinery is a first. Love Maayan Koschitzky’s story. Well done!
Thanks for reading and watching Michelle. I loved how down to earth he is and how his story (which is just beginning) is taking him to so many legends. He’s a real artisan. Love his wines!
What a great story! Go figure… the first winery to call back is Screamkng Eagle?! Looking forward to visiting the new Atelier Melka tasting room soon!
Brilliant Mistake wines brought me to learn of Maayan. Continue on your amazing journey!
That is wonderful to hear Mark. Thanks so much for joining me!