Melka Wines | Philippe | Cherie | Our Family

Cherie received her degree in Microbiology in 1987 from Northern Arizona University. Having always been a wine lover, she moved west to Northern California in search of a position in wine production.

In 1988 she started her career running the laboratory at Ridge Vineyards working under the direction of Paul Draper. Cherie stayed with Ridge until 1993 when she met Philippe and moved to France.

Upon returning to California in 1994, she hired on with Beaulieu Vineyards in their Quality Control Department. Realizing the need to be more involved in wine production, Cherie started with Silver Oak Cellars in 1996 as Laboratory Manager but decided to give Melka Wines her full attention starting in 2004.

Cherie participates with Philippe in all winemaking facets of Métisse and CJ as well as runs the operations of Melka Wines.