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We are excited to welcome One on the Hill and their portfolio of small-batch fine imports

I’m excited to announce our first importer partnership with On on the Hill, one of the leading importers of small-batch fine Italian wines from Piemonte (and expanding soon into Burgundy, Rhône, and Duero River Valley).

When my wife and I honeymooned in Tuscany, I was still in the early days of discovering a passion for wine. At the time, we lived in San Francisco, which meant frequent weekend trips to Napa. Our wine consumption was almost entirely California-based, mostly from the northern part of the state.

Italian wine, on the other hand, was unfamiliar territory. My only prior experience with “Italian” wine was the infamous jug at Olive Garden during the brief period I spent there as a server. The experience itself was entertaining, but the wine I could no sooner forget.

Fortunately, we had someone looking out for us. Before our trip, my mom—who worked as an event planner and guide for top-tier authors—introduced us to Dario Castagno, the definitive voice on Tuscan travel and the head of one of the region’s most respected tour companies. Dario not only showed us the heart of Tuscany but also opened my eyes to the world of Italian wine in a way no one else could (as an aside, if you’re traveling to Tuscany anytime soon and are interested in an incredible and hilarious local guide, hit me up and I’ll connect you).

Our first tasting took place at a remote cottage nestled in the hills, miles from the nearest road, home, or business. We met the current proprietor, whose family members had lovingly cared for the home and surrounding land for centuries. After a brief taste, he invited us down to the basement, where remnants of winemaking practices from the 1700s still remained. The depth of history was incredible, and it was clear that wine for him was as much about legacy and stewardship as it was about what was in the glass. But what was in the glass was incredible.

We tasted through a flight of Chianti, and I learned about the key distinctions between Chianti, Classico, Classico Riserva, and the broader categories of Sangiovese. The wines were expressive, balanced, and shockingly undervalued. The winemaker explained why so much of what makes it to the U.S. isn’t always representative: when you have something truly exceptional, would you send it away? Tariffs aside, the Italians know what they have, and often, they keep the best for themselves. I can’t say I blame them.

Among the three, the Chianti Classico stood out as my favorite. It was smooth, well-structured, and had just the right amount of edge. Naturally, I asked to buy a few bottles. When the winemaker told me the price, I nearly fell over. Just 12 euros!

That moment sparked a lifelong appreciation for Italian wines that still shapes my palate today. And though my regional tastes have evolved a bit (I prefer Nebbiolo to Sangiovese), the memory of that experience has stuck with me.

So when I first met the team from On on the Hill and saw an opportunity to bring incredible Piemonte wines into the Melier portfolio, it was a no-brainer, and we decided to feature three of their flagship wines in our most recent Founder’s Club shipment.

• Marcalberto Brut Nature 2020 Alta Langa DOCG
  Marcalberto 2020 Brut Nature is a bone-dry, sulfite-free sparkling wine from the Alta Langa DOCG region. It offers pure flavors with notes of toasted bread and citrus, accompanied by vibrant minerality.

• Cascina Vano "Canova" 2021 Barbaresco DOCG
  Elegant and powerful, this single-cru Barbaresco is 100% Nebbiolo from the Canova MGA in Neive. Aged 24 months in Slavonian oak, it shows a garnet color, floral notes, wild berries, spice, and just the right touch of grip. Silky on the palate with a long, gently bitter finish.

• Barbaglia 2019 Boca DOC
  A rare gem from Alto Piemonte, this Boca is bold, structured, and built to age. Made from Nebbiolo with a splash of Vespolina, it delivers wild berries, spice, and that signature volcanic minerality.

If you’re a fan of Italian wines or just Italian-curious, sign up for our Founder’s Club by Thursday July 24 and get $50 off your first shipment when you use code OOTH50 at checkout, and we’ll rush order your shipment of these three wines to add to your collection.

I look forward to sharing our expanding wine world with you,

Greg McBeth
Melier Co-Founder