Meet Our Team World-class Winemakers
At Lithology, we believe that purely terroir-driven wines are treasures to be protected and revered. Our dedication to Napa Valley geology and vineyard-first winemaking results in the ultimate expression of place and vintage. Winemaker & General Manager, Matt Sands and Assistant Winemaker, Mark Pittman oversee the day-to-day artistry at our stone winery in St. Helena.
Since 2014, three of the world’s top consulting winemakers, Michel Rolland (1947-2026), Philippe Melka, and Maayan Koschitzky have collaborated on the project. Together, they’ve lent their layers of knowledge, ensuring every drop of Lithology wine reveals unmatched elegance, depth, balance, and identity.
Resident Winemakers
Matt Sands Winemaker & General Manager
Matt Sands, Winemaker and General Manager, joined Lithology in 2015. Born in New Zealand, and his earliest winemaking experience on Waiheke Island, Matt experienced first-hand the true power of low-intervention winemaking to prioritize the natural expression of the vineyard and vintage.
Twenty vintages later, his conviction that the finest wines are made in the vineyard has only grown stronger. Matt credits his mentors and personal experience for shaping his winemaking philosophy — from his early career at Passage Rock, Man O' War, and Stonyridge, through harvest work at Screaming Eagle and Bryant Estate, to a decade crafting the epitome of Napa terroir and vineyard-first excellence at Lithology.
“Lithology is a collaboration, and I’m honored by the friendship, mentorship, and shared sense of pushing boundaries, in search of terroir purity and expression. That is truly the DNA of Lithology." - Matt Sands
Mark Pittman Assistant Winemaker
Mark began his winemaking journey in 2014 and has traveled to wine regions around the world, learning the nuances of crafting exceptional wines. He worked at boutique, high-quality producers in Washington, Oregon, Australia, and New Zealand before joining Lithology in 2018. Mark prides himself on attention to detail, hard work, and the ability to carry out many tasks at a high level of performance. He enjoys running, hiking, reading, trying new restaurants, and spending time in the mountains.
Consulting Winemakers
Michel Rolland
Michel Rolland (1947-2026) began consulting in 1985 and worked with hundreds of wineries on four continents, helping to create scores of successful wines. A luminary in the winemaking sphere, Michel combined old-world techniques with new-world innovation. At Lithology, his biannual blending sessions for vintages 2014 through 2024 provided outside perspective and healthy debate in the effort to identify, defend, and reveal each vineyard’s terroir.
We extend our deepest sympathies on the passing of Michel Rolland in March 2026 and are eternally grateful for his friendship and for each vintage he gave to us. We honor his legacy and work.
Philippe Melka
Philippe would be the first to tell you that soil primarily influenced his career. With his roots in Bordeaux, Melka marries French winemaking traditions with cutting-edge techniques, creating wines renowned for their depth and complexity. Since 1995, he has been putting his stamp on Napa Valley’s wine industry, spearheading the programs for some of the region’s most revered wineries.
Since 2014, Lithology has been a project close to his heart. Supporting Bulgheroni’s rigorous vision for terroir-first wines is an exercise in consistency and teamwork with some of the most storied vineyards in Napa Valley.
Maayan Koschitzky
Maayan has amassed an impressive winemaking resume spanning from the vineyards of Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle here in Napa Valley. Serving alongside Philippe Melka since 2014, Maayan’s multidimensional role includes not only winemaking but also orchestrating winery development for clients, leveraging his engineering background and diverse experience to refine and support the many facets of Lithology’s vinicultural journey.
Our Dedicated Team
Joshua Doss Director of Sales and Hospitality
Following his passion for food and wine, Joshua has worked in senior positions in the hospitality industry for over 25 years, including time with Hillstone Restaurant Group and Union Square Hospitality Group. At Lithology, Joshua handles all on-site Hospitality and Guest Relations, curating seasonal experiences for Lithology customers to be more deeply immersed in the Estate property and the site, story, and winemaker nuance for each of the wines.
Paul Trione National Sales Director
A native of Sonoma County with over two decades in the wine industry, Paul is a seasoned sales executive with a lifelong passion for wine, hospitality, and family. At Lithology, Paul is responsible for sales across the US and Globally through wholesale and export partners. Based in Texas, he enjoys his free time with his wife and their two sons.
Angela Berlogar Membership Manager
Angela has worked in the wine industry for over 15 years, creating lasting customer relationships through bespoke membership programs. With warmth and a deep passion for Lithology hospitality and community, she ensures all members of the Lithology club tiers enjoy their exclusive access to one of Napa’s most dynamic and revered portfolios.
Spencer Dubuque Estate Manager
Food, wine, and travel fuel both Spencer's professional journey and personal life. Originally from Vermont, Spencer followed his passion for wine to Napa Valley and began building his career in the wine industry. Nearly 30 years later, and as a beloved member of the Lithology team, he shares his inspiration and knowledge of the Lithology portfolio through travel, club work, and on-site hospitality.
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