Quixote Winery
2024 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Dragon Tears"
Stags Leap District AVA
Auction 30 | Lot No. 67
Vintage: 2024
Quixote Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Crafted by Philippe Melka, balancing art and precision
- Estate-grown in Napa’s iconic Stags Leap District with unique terroir
- Aged 30 months in French oak for depth and complexity
- Bold New World fruit meets refined Old World structure
Description
The 2024 Dragon Tears Cabernet Sauvignon from Quixote Winery is a testament to the Stags Leap District, meticulously shaped by the magnificent talents of Philippe Melka. Estate-grown on dramatic slopes and highlighting the unique mineral-laced edge of the appellation, this wine embodies both mystery and passion—a precious gem unearthed through vision, care, and devotion. Aged 30 months in French oak, Dragon Tears masterfully balances power and poetry, echoing the mythical dragon’s tear. A true treasure for those who seek vision, adventure, and inspiration, all forged in the spirit of the vineyard that gave it life.
Wine Facts
- Wine is unfiltered
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Philippe Melka
Winemaker, Quixote Winery
Like the celebrated wines on which he’s built his reputation, Philippe Melka’s career has been influenced by soil.
A native of Bordeaux, Melka grew up intrigued by the intricacies of the land around him. When it came time for college, he acted on his childhood interests, earning a degree in Geology at the University of Bordeaux. A class in winemaking in his final year was a turning point, propelling him to earn a Master’s degree in Agronomy and Enology.
Melka has the rare combination of talent and fortune to be a winemaker who started at the top: his first job out of school was at Château Haut Brion. From there, he took a position with the reputable Moueix Company and was sent to Dominus Estate in Yountville to study soils in 1991. Napa Valley soil proved to be a revelation for Melka. He set out traveling, dividing time between soil study and winemaking at world renowned wineries Badio O Coltibuono in Chianti and Chittering Estate in Australia. He returned to France in 1993 to deepen his expertise at Chateau Petrus.
He has been fortunate to have been trained and influenced by some of the most notable personalities in the wine business such as 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 the globetrotting wine consultant Michel Rolland with whom he continues to work with on consulting projects..
In 1994, he returned to Napa full time, and for the past 20 years, Melka has served as winemaking consultant for some of Napa’s most highly regarded properties under his company Atelier Melka founded in 1995. As co-proprietor of Melka Estates, Philippe and Cherie produce four distinct labels that reflect their philosophy of soil driven wines: Metisse from Napa Valley, Mekerra from Sonoma Valley, Majestique from around the world and CJ, also from Napa Valley.
Philippe joined Quixote Winery as Consultant Winemaker in 2018, where he works with Estate Winemaker Robert Smith to craft Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Malbec from our 27-acre estate in the Stags Leap District.
Country born: France
Education: Geology at the University of Bordeaux
Master’s degree in Agronomy and Enology.
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Lakeshore Sport & Fitness
1320 West Fullerton
Chicago IL 60614
312-730-7333
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Lakeshore Sport & Fitness:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford Hill Winery | 2023 | Red Table Wine | Napa Valley | The Vista | 29 (2025) |
| STEREOGRAPH | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 29 (2025) | |
| VGS Chateau Potelle | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 40th Anniversary Cuvée | 29 (2025) |
| Baldacci Family Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Valley's Beauty | 28 (2024) |
| Gamble Family Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | New Beginnings 2.0 | 28 (2024) |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Bohemian Thrill | 27 (2023) |
| Hyde Vineyard Estate | 2022 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | 27 (2023) |
Winery Distribution
Quixote Winery is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- California (Authentic Wine Selections)
- Colorado (Still, Tap & Press Distributing)
- Florida (Johnson Brothers)
- Missouri (Bommatito Wines & Spirits)
- Nebraska (Quench Fine Wine Nebraska)
- New Jersey (Lieber Fine Wines & Spirits)
- New York (Lieber Fine Wines & Spirits)
- North Carolina (Grapevine of North Carolina, Inc.)
- South Carolina (Grapevine of North Carolina, Inc.)
International:
- China (Quixote Winery)
- New Zealand (AWines)
- Puerto Rico (Plaza Provision Company)
- Romania (Quixote Winery)