Premiere Napa Valley Online

Maayan Koschitzky

Winemaker, Brilliant Mistake Wines

Maayan has amassed an impressive winemaking resume. From the vineyards of Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle here in the Napa Valley, he has worked alongside some of the most renowned winemakers in addition to some of the most coveted terroirs in the world.

In 2014 Maayan began working with Philippe Melka and is currently the Director of Winemaking at Atelier Melka, overseeing an impressive list of clients while making some of the most coveted and award winning wines available.

In 2015, Maayan became the winemaker for Brilliant Mistake Wines, making small lot ultra-premium Bordeaux style wines. Regarding his winemaking philosophy, Maayan says, “It really is how you farm that a lot of time determines when you pick. Exposing the fruit to light early in the season, to burn pyrazines, and then protect it with the canopy later, I feel offers the best balance.” Maayan wants to keep the wine close to the land and create wines with a sense of place, which he feels all great wines need.

Country born: Israel

Education: Originally from Israel, Maayan has studied plant science at the Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University, working under Dr. Margalit, a well known winemaker and the author of Concepts in Winemaking and Concepts in Wine Chemistry. After moving to Napa Valley - Maayan honed his craft working at Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle and now currently working under Philippe Melka as the Director of Winemaking at Atelier Melka.

Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
I try and minimize winemaking techniques in the cellar so that I can create a wine that tells the story of the vineyard.