Philippe Melka is one of the wine world’s most distinguished winemakers. He grew up in Bordeaux where he began studying wine his last year at the University of Bordeaux. Because of his lifelong fascination with the interplay of soils and wine quality Philippe pursued a Master’s degree in Agronomy and Enology . He has worked at Dominus in Napa Valley, Badia a Coltibuono in Chianti, Chittering Estate in Australia and Chateau Petrus in Bordeaux. Philippe has been based in the Napa Valley for the last fifteen years, and joined Davis Estates in 2011 as our consulting winemaker for our prestigious Phase V.
What’s in a name…
PHASE I: Find and purchase a property that captured the feeling of wine country, with its breathtaking views and ensuring a terroir that would produce wines Sandy and I love to enjoy.
PHASE II: Farm the vineyards and land to guarantee the fruit grown from the terroir would show in the wines hand made by Melka.
PHASE III: Design an Estate worthy of our wines.
PHASE IV: Build the winery to showcase our passion.
PHASE V: Open Davis Estates so we could finally share our passion.
An individual, infrared hand vein scan will unlock the doors only for our Founders Club members, who will be allowed in with a maximum of eight special guests. Once inside, the room will reveal itself in layers: smooth, rounded walls encircled by the barrels of our Phase V wine; elegantly lit alcoves featuring sculptured works of art; and in the middle of it all, an exotic, fully-enclosed 24’ tall glass room that we affectionately call our “Cellarium”. Kept at 72° F, our Cellarium will allow you and your chosen guests to enjoy the atmosphere of a wine cave without experiencing the chill of the cool temperatures needed to properly age our wines. Sophisticated leather seating and a custom-made, round table created from exotic Monkeypod wood from the Big Island of Hawaii will welcome you as you are seated… and then the total immersion of the Phase V experience will truly begin as you are guided through a tasting of our limited production wines, hand-crafted for us by the world-renowned Philippe Melka.
Our Founders Club is for an elite circle of enthusiasts who share a thirst for excellence. Allowing access to our rarest wines and most intimate spaces
We will have a limited number of members, a cap that ensures your access to our small-lot Phase V wines. Grown in our very best vineyard blocks and crafted by master winemaker Philippe Melka, these wines will always provide an exceptional experience.
Keeping this inner circle small also allows us to truly know each of our members. With private access to our luxurious tasting spaces and invitations to exclusive events, you are counted as part of our extended family.
We are so excited for the wonderful wines and celebrations awaiting us, and we can’t wait to share them with you.
EXPERIENCES PRIVILEGES
WINE PRIVILEGES
EVENT PRIVILEGES
