Welcome to Waypoint

An Intrepid Viticultural Quest

From the verdant valley slopes to the stately redwood canopies, across the windswept coastal reaches to the rich peaks of volcanic earth, our vintners Matt Sands and Philippe Melka know no bounds in their search for the highest caliber vineyards in Northern California. No matter which direction their compass might point, their focus remains singular: to craft small-lot, single-vineyard wines that best represent a varietal and its unique growing location, all while ensuring each wine is absolutely delicious and infinitely drinkable. That’s our way.

Our story

Waypoint represents a limited-production series of single-vineyard wines from some of Northern California’s most esteemed vineyards, including celebrated sites like Ritchie Vineyard in Sonoma and Fort Ross-Seaview near Mendocino. These vineyards are renowned for yielding fruit that crafts complex and delicious wines, establishing a benchmark of quality within the region.

Our winemaker, Matt Sands, brings a global perspective to his craft. A New Zealand native, Sands has refined his skills in creating pure wines through experiences at Man O’ War on Waiheke and Screaming Eagle in St. Helena. Alongside him is Phillipe Melka, a winemaker with nearly three decades of experience in drawing out deep, nuanced flavors from Napa Valley grapes. Together, they focus on gentle fermentation and the use of neutral oak, producing wines that truly represent their terroir.