Alex Lallos, JJ Buckley, July 2008

Pale golden yellow in color. This beautiful Viogner shows loads of stone fruits including nectarine, white peach, and apricot. The midpalate is light and fresh with a nice array or orange zest, apricot, and peach flavors. Well focused with a precise finish. So easy to drink...

94 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2008

The 2007 Viognier Verna's Vineyard may be the finest example of this varietal I have tasted in California. Extraordinary minerality and precision, despite its enormous power, are what sets it apart from most blowsy, loosely constructed Viogniers. It possesses copious quantities of nectarine, mango, and orange blossom aromas as well as a hint of lychee nuts, but it is the wine's well-delineated character that is so remarkable. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years. From one of the Santa Rita Hills' superb vineyard sites, the Melville wines are made by Greg Brewer.

About Winery

In 1989, Melville Vineyards, a family owned and operated enterprise was founded in Sonoma County's Knights Valley, where Ron Melville grew high quality, much sought after Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1996, Ron's desire to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay brought Melville Vineyards to Lompoc's Sta. Rita Hills, located in the western Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, California.

The Sta. Rita Hills appellation is where Ron Melville and his sons Brent and Chad Melville decided to develop their estate  vineyards and winery. All fruit for wine production is not only exclusively farmed and sourced from Melville Vineyards, but is also produced by Melville Winery. Since then, they have also developed an interest in Rhone varietals, particularly Northern Rhone Syrah and Viognier. The Melville estate achieves quality through the integrity of its farming practice and its respect to the microclimate.

The Melvilles believe that a fine wine begins in the terroir or microclimate of a vineyard.