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Robert  Smith

Winemaker, Quixote Winery

Growing up in Modesto, California, Robert constantly sets himself apart from expectations. His first job as a research intern at Gallo piqued his interest in fermentation, inspiring him to begin brewing craft IPAs and consider a career as a brew master. Luckily, it wasn't long before the wine bug bit him and he jumped in with both feet. After securing his Baccalaureate in Enology from Fresno State University, Robert embarked on a wine journey with his first harvest internship at Quintessa in 2006.

Following Quintessa, Robert continued to hone his skills with positions at Seven Stones, Krupp Brothers and Covert Estate, as well as a harvest stop in South Africa at Bon Cap. Over the years, he has worked with an impressive list of mentors and formed lifelong friendships with such winemaking luminaries as Aaron Pott, Julian Fayard and Philippe Melka.

In 2011, Robert accepted the position as Estate Winemaker here at Quixote Winery. It's his ability to create complex and elegantly refined Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and our signature varietal, Petite Sirah, that truly illustrates his undeniable talent. Robert is continually striving to produce age worthy and well-balanced wines with immediate softness and approachability.

An avid surfer, when Robert is not at the winery, he can often be found taming the waves up and down the California coast.

Country born: United States

Education: California State University, Fresno - Bachelors in Enology

Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Be kind, rewind.

Philippe  Melka

Winemaker, Quixote Winery

Like the celebrated wines on which he’s built his reputation, Philippe Melka’s career has been influenced by soil.

A native of Bordeaux, Melka grew up intrigued by the intricacies of the land around him. When it came time for college, he acted on his childhood interests, earning a degree in Geology at the University of Bordeaux. A class in winemaking in his final year was a turning point, propelling him to earn a Master’s degree in Agronomy and Enology.

Melka has the rare combination of talent and fortune to be a winemaker who started at the top: his first job out of school was at Château Haut Brion. From there, he took a position with the reputable Moueix Company and was sent to Dominus Estate in Yountville to study soils in 1991. Napa Valley soil proved to be a revelation for Melka. He set out traveling, dividing time between soil study and winemaking at world renowned wineries Badio O Coltibuono in Chianti and Chittering Estate in Australia. He returned to France in 1993 to deepen his expertise at Chateau Petrus.

He has been fortunate to have been trained and influenced by some of the most notable personalities in the wine business such as Jean Delmas and Jean Philippe Masclef from Haut-Brion, Christian Moueix and Jean Claude Berrouet from Petrus, Paul Draper from Ridge, Daniel Baron from Silver Oak and the globetrotting wine consultant Michel Rolland with whom he continues to work with on consulting projects..

In 1994, he returned to Napa full time, and for the past 20 years, Melka has served as winemaking consultant for some of Napa’s most highly regarded properties under his company Atelier Melka founded in 1995. As co-proprietor of Melka Estates, Philippe and Cherie produce four distinct labels that reflect their philosophy of soil driven wines: Metisse from Napa Valley, Mekerra from Sonoma Valley, Majestique from around the world and CJ, also from Napa Valley.

Philippe joined Quixote Winery as Consultant Winemaker in 2018, where he works with Estate Winemaker Robert Smith to craft Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Malbec from our 27-acre estate in the Stags Leap District.

Country born: France

Education: Geology at the University of Bordeaux
Master’s degree in Agronomy and Enology.

Years in the wine industry: 30+ years