Skipstone Enters Into Partnership With Atelier Melka

GEYSERVILLE, Calif., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Proprietors of Skipstone, Fahri Diner and Jill Layman, announce the transfer of winemaking operations to Atelier Melka under the direction of renowned Winemaking Consultant Philippe Melka. High Tech Entrepreneur Diner together with Layman launched the Skipstone brand in Oct 2008 after gathering a world-class team of wine industry notables including Vineyard Manager Ulises Valdez and Organic Farming Specialist Amigo Bob Cantisano with Philippe Melka offering his services as consultant.  Melka is expanding his role to include estate vineyard management in collaboration with the existing team at Skipstone and will be handling production from his consulting service, Atelier Melka, with a base of operations at Vineyard 29. Melka was named one of the top nine wine consultants in the world by Robert Parker, Jr. and his impressive client roster includes Vineyard 29, Hundred Acre and DANA estate.  "Melka is extremely selective of the projects he involves himself with and we feel excited about his expanded role with us. His expertise is invaluable," says Diner.

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Skipstone represents the only project Philippe Melka is associated with in the Alexander Valley AVA located in Sonoma County. The 200-acre estate is CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) certified Organic, 100% solar powered, and is operated and farmed sustainably. The property features a 7 acre olive grove, 1.5 acres of organic culinary gardens and orchards, and a 30-acre amphitheater shaped vineyard carved into steep mountain hillsides in the Mayacamas. Because of the dynamic shape of the vineyard, it is partitioned into 42 micro viticultural blocks, some as small as .12 acres, with yields of only 1-2 tons per acre. Atelier Melka will oversee the precision viticultural practices associated with farming so many unique areas by hand and then will work with the many resulting components in winemaking and finally blending.

Skipstone was affectionately named for a shared vision Diner and Layman once had while skipping stones by the water. Named after their three young children, the current estate portfolio consists of two wines, Makena's Vineyard Viognier and Oliver's Blend Proprietary Red (limited annual production of 300-500 cases combined), and award winning Melina's Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

For more information on Skipstone, please contact Brook Drummond, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at 707.433.9124, email [email protected] or visit www.skipstonewines.com.  

Skipstone wines are available for tasting at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley, 6711 Washington Street, Yountville, Ca. www.maisonry.com 707.944.0889

SOURCE Skipstone