We're Here to Help You Find the Perfect Bottle. Every Time.

Let’s face it: wine can feel intimidating. I remember the first time I walked into a wine store, and felt totally overwhelmed. Hundreds of labels, regions, varietals, and vintages staring back at me – it all might as well have been gibberish. 

Should I go with the French white with the name I couldn’t pronounce? The California red with the eye-catching label? What if I picked the wrong one? What if it tasted terrible? Worse, what if I looked stupid?!

But here’s the thing about wine: no one starts out an expert, and we all have to begin our journey somewhere. More often than not, that beginning doesn’t involve a Master Sommelier certification or a meticulously curated cellar. It starts with someone you trust. 

For me, it began in college with two friends I used to tease for being wine snobs. They’d sit in their room before parties, sipping red Burgundy while we sipped Coors Light. Riedels vs. Solo cups. But one weekend, they invited me on a “Sideways”-style wine tasting trip through Santa Ynez. And everything changed.

We visited vineyards. We talked to winemakers. We tasted wines, some ok, some very nice (and a few amazing). But most captivating were the people and stories. They made you feel something. I started to understand that wine wasn’t about showing off. It was about connecting—to a place, a person, a moment.

Several years later I moved to San Francisco and started spending weekends in Napa. I’d visit tasting rooms, ask a million questions, and soak it all in. What I discovered was that the best wines weren’t necessarily the most expensive or famous. They were the ones someone had poured their soul into. And 9 times out of 10, I found those wines because someone pointed me in the right direction.

That’s why I started Melier.

I wanted to help people get past the noise, get past the big labels, and into the hidden gems. I wanted to recreate those moments of discovery I had in Santa Ynez and Napa, without needing a car, a map, or insider connections. Whether you’re just starting your wine journey or already a collector, I wanted to make it easier to find wines that actually speak to you.

Because let’s be honest: you don’t need help finding a bottle of Caymus or Rombauer. I’m not here to knock the big brands – they’re consistent, convenient, can be delicious, and by all means you should be drinking what you enjoy.

But if you’ve ever wondered what else is out there—what wines you haven’t tried yet and that you’re missing out on —Melier is for you. To find them, you just need a guide.

That’s where our Tastemakers come in. Melier Tastemakers are sommeliers, chefs, and passionate wine hobbyists with great tastes and instincts. They’re not here to judge your palate, they’re here to help you discover the wines that fit it like a glove.

Here’s how it works: You start by browsing our Tastemaker profiles. Think of it like match-making for your palate. Into bold reds and slow-cooked meals? You might vibe with Harrison. Prefer crisp whites, exquisite Pinot Noir, and plant-based cooking? Samia might be your perfect fit. Each Tastemaker has their own style, and they pick wines that reflect it.

Once you find a Tastemaker you click with, you join their wine club directly or book a meeting with them to learn more and ensure they’re a match for your palate and budget. This ensures that every shipment is a fit for you tastes. No second-guessing, no label anxiety. Just great wine, picked by someone who you can trust to know what they’re doing.

But this is about more than just products. Our Tastemakers don’t just pick wines. They create moments.

One of my favorite stories comes from a member named Amanda. She used to buy wine based on whatever label caught her eye (we’ve all been there). Her first Melier wine club shipment came from Tastemaker Shanon Beelendorf—a wellness expert with serious wine chops and a wonderfully unpretentious style.

Amanda told me, “My fiancé and I love wine, but we always picked up the same couple bottles from our local shop. We were honestly kind of tired of them, but didn’t want to spend $50 and be disappointed with a random bottle. Then I connected with Shanon during an open tasting that she hosted in LA. We tried six different wines from her portfolio, and we were hooked. We signed up for her wine club that same day and now we always have a new bottle that we know we’ll love in our wine rack.”

That’s what our Tastemaker program is about.

So let’s redefine what it means to “know wine.” You don’t need encyclopedic knowledge, you need a trusted voice. Someone who knows your palate, gets your vibe, and points you towards the bottles that match.

Ready to get started?

1. Browse our Tastemakers and find the one who speaks to your style.

2. If you’re feeling lucky, join their wine club and let amazing wine come to you (you can cancel anytime). Or if you need a bit more info, contact us and we’ll set up a call with your preferred Tastemaker to ensure they’re a great fit for you.

3. Pour, sip, repeat.