Vail Jr. and Leslie Miller
Vail Jr. and Leslie Miller divide their time between St. Helena, California, and Dayton, Ohio, guided by a shared love of family, legacy, and wine.
Vail, a Dayton native and Miami University graduate, and Leslie, who grew up in High Point, North Carolina, and graduated from UNC Greensboro, met in Jackson, Wyoming, in the summer of 1992. Both come from families with deep entrepreneurial roots. Vail’s great-grandfather founded Heidelberg Distributing Company in 1938, and Leslie’s great-grandfather founded Harriss & Covington in 1920.
That spirit of stewardship now continues with The Crane Assembly. Drawn to St. Helena for both its history and its personal significance, Vail and Leslie see this chapter as an opportunity to honor tradition, build with intention, and carry a meaningful legacy forward.
Ryan Keith
Ryan Keith is the General Manager of The Crane Assembly Winery. Originally from Oregon, he moved to Napa Valley in 2002 and built his career through hospitality and estate-driven wineries, developing a deep respect for vineyards, old vines, and wines of purpose.
Since joining The Crane Assembly in 2016 as its first employee, Ryan has helped shape its next chapter with a strong commitment to the vineyard’s history, the integrity of the wines, and the legacy they carry forward.
Atelier Melka brings deep Napa Valley pedigree and a forward-looking perspective to The Crane Assembly. With Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky guiding the wines, the estate moves into its next chapter with a team known for shaping some of the valley’s most respected Cabernet Sauvignons.
Together, they bring a thoughtful balance of experience, precision, and vision. Their approach is rooted in a deep respect for great vineyard sites and a belief that exceptional wines should reflect both place and purpose. At The Crane Assembly, that means honoring the history of this storied St. Helena vineyard while helping define its future with clarity, restraint, and intention.
Philippe and Maayan are not simply carrying a legacy forward. They are helping refine and elevate it for the next generation.
Atelier Melka
