Parallel Wines, Biography

Parallel Napa Valley wines are the result of a collaboration of eight close friends and two of the top winemaking professionals in the industry today: Philippe Melka, who was recently named the 2005 Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine magazine, and highly acclaimed Vineyard Manager Jim Barbour of Barbour Vineyards. Philippe and Jim are responsible for crafting some of the most sought-after wines in Napa Valley. The inagural 2003 Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon marked the first time these masters had collaborated to create such an affordable wine. While this team continues to produce increasingly attractive vintages of Parallel, we have been able to maintain a very attractive price for Parallel Napa Valley.

Parallel is also the story of parallel lives and friendships that have unfolded for more than 20 years. That circle of friendship now encompasses two special places: the mountains of Park City, Utah, where the four couples met more than 20 years ago, and the hillside vineyards of Napa Valley. All successful entrepreneurs in their own right, the Parallel partners love a challenge and relish the chance to participate hands-on. As such, they have been fully involved in every aspect of creating Parallel, from the planting of the first vine to sampling the first sip of each newly bottled vintage. It's the synergy that makes Parallel Wines so special.

Parallel is located just northeast of Rutherford and southeast of St Helena, above Lake Hennessey and across the lake from Prichard Hill. It occupies a very dramatic 62 acre Vaca mountainside ranch with spectacular ridgeline and valley views. The well drained hillside soils allow us to produce smaller berries and concentrated fruit. With just seven acres planted, we have room to grow.