Founded in 1989, Melville is a family-owned and operated estate winery with its roots in Sonoma County's Knights Valley. In 1996, Ron's desire to grow cold-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah brought Melville Vineyards to the Sta. Rita Hills, located in the Western Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County. Today, Ron and his son, Chad Melville, uphold Melville’s tradition as one of the most highly-regarded estates in California.

The climate here is significantly impacted by its proximity to the ocean (10 miles), consistent morning/evening fog, and steady afternoon winds. These cooling trends are not only perfectly suited to growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, but also serve to prolong the growing season, allowing for heightened varietal flavor intensity. Additionally, the area’s cool climate and calcareous rock and sand help produce grapes with natural acidity and flavor balance.

The estate currently has 17 clones of Pinot Noir, 8 clones of Syrah, and 8 clones of Chardonnay - all on a variety of low-vigor rootstocks. All blocks are fermented in small lots and isolated through their entire period of elevage, which provides the team with an ongoing exhibition of how they can fine tune vineyard practices in order to achieve the most unmanipulated and site-specific wines possible.