Ron Melville and his family have been farming high quality grapes for over 30 years. After finding success in Sonoma County, Ron's desire to grow cold-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah brought Melville Vineyards to the Sta. Rita Hills. The Sta. Rita Hills AVA is unique, as it is one of the few grape growing regions in California whose valley runs west to east. In doing so, the cooling air from the Pacific Ocean is able to rush through the area, keeping the daily temperatures low, and providing a long growing season that maximizes flavors. The soils at Melville are a mix of sand and clay, giving Syrah beautiful aromatics combined with ripe, but not overpowering fruit. In addition, Melville plants their vines at a denser spacing than most. In doing so, root systems must compete, inhibiting rigorous growth, naturally lowering yields and furthering the development of flavor and concentration. Farming at Melville is sustainable at a minimum, but often done organically.
Melville has become a nucleus for Rhone varietals from Santa Rita Hills. After studying at U.C. Davis, Chad Melville, who manages the family's estate vineyards, focused on giving the family's winemaker the best fruit he could possibly produce. In turn, the Melville wines received high scores and rave reviews year-in and year-out.
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "All Syrah that was fermented with 65% whole clusters and aged in neutral wood, the 2022 Syrah Sta. Rita Hills is a riper, more sun-kissed expression compared to the 2023. Ripe red and black fruits, leather, sweet spices, and dried flowers all give this an Hermitage-like character, and it's medium-bodied, with a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I love it today, yet it should cruise for a decade or so. Drink 2025-2035."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 92 POINTS - "The 2022 Syrah Estate is particularly velvety in texture for a cold-climate Syrah, but there's no shortage of peppery, herbaceous intensity to remind you that this is the Sta. Rita Hills. Brambly fruit, oil-cured olive, licorice and star anise are all finely delineated in the glass, all elevated by mentholated freshness. This distinctive Syrah is a study in inner contrasts."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "The 2022 Syrah Estate was fermented with 40% whole clusters and aged 10 months in 228-liter barrique. A timeless nose of red fruits, black pepper and beef jerky leads to a silky, high-toned palate lined with refreshing saline touches and solid fruit concentration. It finishes on a balanced, bright and energetic note."
Melville has become a nucleus for Rhone varietals from Santa Rita Hills. After studying at U.C. Davis, Chad Melville, who manages the family's estate vineyards, focused on giving the family's winemaker the best fruit he could possibly produce. In turn, the Melville wines received high scores and rave reviews year-in and year-out.
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "All Syrah that was fermented with 65% whole clusters and aged in neutral wood, the 2022 Syrah Sta. Rita Hills is a riper, more sun-kissed expression compared to the 2023. Ripe red and black fruits, leather, sweet spices, and dried flowers all give this an Hermitage-like character, and it's medium-bodied, with a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I love it today, yet it should cruise for a decade or so. Drink 2025-2035."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 92 POINTS - "The 2022 Syrah Estate is particularly velvety in texture for a cold-climate Syrah, but there's no shortage of peppery, herbaceous intensity to remind you that this is the Sta. Rita Hills. Brambly fruit, oil-cured olive, licorice and star anise are all finely delineated in the glass, all elevated by mentholated freshness. This distinctive Syrah is a study in inner contrasts."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "The 2022 Syrah Estate was fermented with 40% whole clusters and aged 10 months in 228-liter barrique. A timeless nose of red fruits, black pepper and beef jerky leads to a silky, high-toned palate lined with refreshing saline touches and solid fruit concentration. It finishes on a balanced, bright and energetic note."
