78 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | OCTOBER 2019
4O under 4O I 2019
Maayan Koschitzky, 39
Director of Winemaking, Atelier Melka
by Philippe Melka • St. Helena, CAInternational man of wine
Koschitzky made wine in his native Israel for more
than half a decade before he headed to the U.S. in
2011 to work at Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.
Famed winemaker Melka tapped him to be assis-
tant winemaker of his wine consulting company in
2014, and, two years later, Koschitzky took over as
director of winemaking. He now works with brands
like Lail Vineyards, Roy Estate and Seavey Vineyard.
This year, he became Melka’s partner in the venture.
Meanwhile, Koschitzky’s own Napa brand, La Pelle
Wines, sold out upon release. Did we mention he’s a
former paratrooper and holds a black belt in judo?