Wine Portfolio

Sarah Donley

Winemaker, ADAMVS

Having grown up in her family's winery, Sarah always knew she would dedicate her career to winemaking. She attained a B.S. in Enology at Fresno State before embarking on a gruelling cycle of internships in order to hone her craft. Sarah then went on to spend six years at Colgin Cellars, rising from intern to Assistant Winemaker. Thereafter she joined Bart and Daphne Araujo as Winemaker and Production Manager for their Wheeler Farms project.
Sarah and her winemaker husband live on Howell Mountain with their two young daughters. The call of ADAMVS and its unique mountain property felt like something predestined.
"Living four minutes away just gives me more time to be in these vineyard rows getting to know the character and personality of this special site more deeply with every day that passes,"

Country born: USA

Education: B.S. Enology, Fresno State

Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Harmony in the vineyard brings balance to the wine.

Philippe Melka

Winemaker, ADAMVS

Born and raised in Bordeaux, France, Philippe attended the University of Bordeaux graudating with a degree in geology, then a Master's degree in enology and agronomy. Philippe's first winery was Chateau Haut Brion, followed by work and study in Australia, Italy, back in France (Petrus) and finally in Napa Valley (Dominus). Philippe began consulting in 1995.

Country born: France

Education: Philippe attended the University of Bordeaux graudating with a degree in geology, then a Master's degree in enology and agronomy.

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Honors / Awards:
Named by Robert Parker as one of the top nine wine consultants in the world.

Winemaking Philosophy:
Wines are made in the vineyard, with minimal intervention in the cellar.