August 4, 2025 (Calistoga, CA) — Checkerboard Vineyards, a producer of exceptional wines from its estate mountainside in Napa Valley, announced the appointment of Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky as winemakers.
Philippe Melka began his wine journey traveling the world’s major wine regions to study soil and make wine, including Château Petrus in Bordeaux, Australia’s Chittering Estate, Badia a Coltibuono in Tuscany, and Napa Valley’s Dominus Estate. He was named one of the Top 9 winemakers in the world by renowned critic Robert Parker. Prior to joining Philippe at Atelier Melka, Maayan Koschitzky began his winemaking career in the vineyards of Israel before coming to Napa Valley to join Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle. Philippe and Maayan have been instrumental in creating some of Napa Valley’s most respected wines and have made a signification contribution to the Napa Valley wine community.
At Checkerboard Vineyards, the winemaking duo will have responsibility for every aspect of the winery’s portfolio of wines, from grape cultivation to blending and bottling.
“We are excited to welcome Philippe and Maayan to Checkerboard and look forward to working together to continue our legacy of fine wine,” said Dennis O’Neil, co-founder of Checkerboard Vineyards. “The opportunity to draw on their combined expertise, which includes posts at renowned Chateaus and wineries throughout the world, will have a lasting effect on our wines and with our collectors.”
“Checkerboard Vineyards is one of those rare sites in Napa Valley where you can create a portfolio of truly diverse wines,” said Maayan Koschitzky. “With vineyards at varying elevations and exposures spread across an entire mountainside, each wine is characteristically unique and influenced by its Diamond Mountain terroir.”
About Checkerboard Vineyards
Checkerboard Vineyards is an estate located on Diamond Mountain in Napa Valley that includes a winery, caves, and four vineyard sites, joined by a two-and-one-half-mile drive spanning the valley floor to the top of the mountain ridge. This dramatic setting is the inspiration for the distinctive, exceptional wines of Checkerboard Vineyards. Its wine portfolio includes three single-vineyard wines, Checkerboard Aurora Vineyard, Checkerboard Coyote Ridge Vineyard, and Checkerboard Nash Creek Vineyard, as well as Checkerboard Kings Row, Checkerboard Impetuous, and a Sauvignon Blanc and Rose. The portfolio is sold exclusively to private wine collectors and select restaurants. For more information, please visit www.checkerboardvineyards.com.
About Philippe Melka, Maayan Koschitzky, and Atelier Melka
Atelier Melka is a distinctive wine consulting company specializing in small production, hand-crafted high-end wines, working collaboratively with the owners of family wineries who are dedicated to producing world-class wines.
