Chris Cooney

Winemaker, Dana Estates

Named Winemaker at Dana Estates in January 2015, Chris Cooney has extensive experience creating some of Napa Valley's best Cabernet.

Prior to joining Dana Estates, Cooney served as the Senior Winemaker at Napa's Provenance Vineyards and Hewitt Vineyards. During that time he produced the 2010 Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon, which received a number of accolades including being ranked number four in Wine Spectator's 2014 Top 100 list.

Prior to moving to the Napa Valley, Cooney traveled the globe working at a number of wineries. From Germany to Australia, he honed his winemaking and viticulture skills before returning to his native northern California.

At Dana Estates, Cooney focuses on creating elegantly balanced, terroir-driven wines, highlighting Dana's three distinct estate vineyards in Rutherford and on Howell Mountain.

Cooney has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science from Amherst College, as well as a Master of Science degree in Enology and Food Science from the University of California, Davis.

A native of Palo Alto, Cooney lives in Napa with his wife and children. When not making wine, he enjoys mountain and road biking along the hilly terrain of Napa's Lake Berryessa and Pope Valley.

Country born: United States

Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years

Philippe Melka

Winemaker, Dana Estates

Philippe spent much of his youth in Bordeaux, France, earning his geology degree from the University of Bordeaux. On a whim, he took a wine course in his final year of study—a decision that changed his life

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. He has been trained and influenced by some of the most notable personalities in the wine business: 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 Michel Rolland from Chateau Pasteur.

Years in the wine industry: 15-20 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.