Philippe Melka grew up in Bordeaux studying geology — never planning to make wine — until a further university course in oenology and viticulture and an internship at Château Haut-Brion changed his life. Today he’s one of the Napa Valley’s most celebrated winemakers and consultants, with multiple 100-point wines to his name and a philosophy built on one simple idea: stand back and let the land speak.

To read more about Philippe have a look at his website. You can also follow him on Instagram at @ateliermelka.

Don’t forget, Cork Talk is now available on Spotify as well as Apple Podcasts, where you can listen to this week’s episode, plus my back catalogue of interviews with some of the world’s most extraordinary wine figures.