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Here are twelve of our Founder's Favorites. These are the wines that Greg recommends to friends and serves at his house.

From cult Napa Valley producers to First Growth challengers, from ancient Australian vineyards to Italian legends, this collection represents the pinnacle of winemaking. Each bottle tells a story of exceptional terroir, masterful craftsmanship, and unforgettable moments. Journey with us through these 12 carefully selected treasures.


2018 Chateau Haut Bailly Pessac Leognan

A refined and powerful Left Bank Bordeaux from an exceptional vintage, this wine delivers depth, precision, and elegance in equal measure. Layers of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and plum unfold alongside graphite, cedar, tobacco leaf, and subtle floral notes. The palate is full-bodied yet beautifully balanced, with fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity providing structure and lift. Polished and seamless, it offers both immediate appeal and serious aging potential, finishing long with mineral tension and savory complexity.



2012 Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz - Big Hammer Wines

2012 Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz Yarra Valley

This winery property dates back to the founding of OZ as a prison colony. This winery has won just about every award available and remarkably with a 150+ year history was awarded winery of the year in 2022 and the female owner as winemaker of the year. If you love bacon, you can find hints of it in this wine. If you want a true experience of a 12-year-old earthy and terroir-driven Shiraz from old vines, this will be your jam.



Green wine bottle with gold cap on a white background

2023 Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken

This is a beautifully focused, dry, and mineral-driven white wine that shows bright citrus, stone fruit, and a clean slate-like character. It’s elegant, precise, and full of energy, with a purity and depth that reflect a truly exceptional vineyard site. Highly limited and always in demand, it’s the kind of bottle you grab when you want something refined, expressive, and unforgettable.



2020 Querciabella Batar Bianco Toscana IGT

Crafted with meticulous care, this blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco offers a beautiful harmony of freshness and depth. On the nose, expect vibrant citrus aromas complemented by delicate floral notes, while the palate delivers a creamy texture with flavors of ripe pear, lemon zest, and a touch of honeyed richness. The wine is balanced with a crisp acidity and subtle mineral undertones, making it an ideal companion for seafood, poultry, or creamy pasta dishes. Querciabella’s commitment to organic farming and biodynamic principles is evident in every sip of this elegant and complex wine, which showcases the best of Tuscan craftsmanship.

2021 Merus wine bottle with  a white background

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

A bold, ultra-concentrated Napa Valley Cabernet that delivers layers of blackberry, cassis, and dark plum wrapped in notes of espresso, cocoa, and crushed stone. Full-bodied and deeply structured, it shows velvety yet firm tannins, polished French oak, and a long, powerful finish. Built with intensity and precision, this is a modern, opulent red with serious aging potential and commanding presence in the glass.



2022 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon & Fils La Petite Chapelle Gevery-Chambertin Premier Cru

2022 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon & Fils La Petite Chapelle Gevery-Chambertin Premier Cru

Sometimes, I put my nose in the glass and immediately know I’m going to love the wine. This was one of those wines. This is a wine that will take you on a ride as it unfurls over the course of an hour or over dinner. 2019 was a “can’t miss” vintage in Burgundy and drinking this wine is like being in the presence of a graceful, elegant lady who smells so captivating, you have to hold yourself back from leering.



A single bottle of 2019 Bibi Graetz '20th Anniversary' Colore Toscana IGT set against a white background. The bottle is matte black with a textured, colorful dot pattern in shades of red, orange, and purple that forms the number "20" on the front. Gold lettering at the bottom displays the wine name and the anniversary dates "2000-2019

2019 Bibi Graetz '20th Anniversary' Colore Toscana IGT

A monumental Super Tuscan crafted from old-vine Sangiovese, this wine is deeply layered and intensely expressive. Aromas of black cherry, crushed raspberry, violet, and graphite rise from the glass, followed by hints of spice, cedar, and mineral depth. The palate is powerful yet precise, with velvety tannins, vibrant acidity, and remarkable concentration. Elegant and structured, it balances richness with freshness, finishing long with notes of dark fruit, earth, and refined oak. Built for long-term aging, it is both opulent and beautifully composed.



2019 Ca' Rome’ di Romano Marengo Barbaresco Maria di Brün

2019 Ca' Rome’ di Romano Marengo Barbaresco Maria di Brün

A remarkable single-vineyard Nebbiolo from one of Barbaresco’s finest sites, crafted in a stellar vintage like 2019. While wines from this prestigious area often reach high price levels, Romano Marengo offers exceptional quality at a fair price, making it a true gem. This vineyard is situated near some of Barbaresco’s most renowned crus, adding prestige to the wine. High scores and critical acclaim confirm that this Barbaresco delivers outstanding value without compromising on excellence.



2019 Damilano Barolo Cannubi

2019 Damilano Cannubi Barolo DOCG

Damilano is celebrated as a benchmark producer in Barolo. Rooted in tradition yet embracing meticulous craftsmanship, the winery’s Cannubi vineyard—one of Barolo’s most prestigious sites—delivers wines of exceptional depth and elegance. This 2019 vintage highlights the perfect balance of power and finesse, making it a standout expression of Nebbiolo. It’s a must-try for lovers of classic Barolo and offers excellent value given its quality and pedigree.

 

2023 Martellotto 'Kind of Noir' Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Tastes Like a $100+ Wine! The 2023 Martellotto 'Kind of Noir' Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Napa’s “once-in-a-lifetime” vintage, praised by Wine Bible as “one of the most phenomenal vintages ever in Napa Valley.” Crafted by Greg Martellotto, one of only 420 certified Italian Wine Ambassadors, this bold, silky Cabernet delivers ripe black fruit, balanced oak, and the signature depth, power, and elegance of Napa—without the $100+ price tag. Sourced from the finest vineyards, it’s structured, smooth, and rich, a Napa Cabernet that stands proudly with the valley’s elite while remaining surprisingly accessible.

2021 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley


2022 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

This bold Napa Valley blend—with Cabernet Sauvignon dominating, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot—is deeply layered and immediate in its appeal. Aromas of crushed blackberries, dark plum compote, cocoa‑covered raspberries and espresso bean lead into a rich palate where smooth, polished tannins carry notes of graphite, warm slate and a touch of vanilla oak. The finish is luxurious and lingering, making it approachable now yet built for the medium term.

 


2023 Lamblin et Fils Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru

This is a refined and powerful white Burgundy with a striking balance of freshness and depth. It shows crisp citrus, green apple, and white flower notes supported by a strong mineral backbone and a long, structured finish. From one of the region’s top grand cru hillside sites, it delivers both elegance and intensity—classic, age-worthy, and unmistakably Chablis in its pure, stony character.

Want to Try a Bottle of Each of the Best Greg's Picks?

Buy them in a 12-bottle case here. Grab this collection of 12 handpicked bottles, curated by BHW's Founder, now!

Red wine poured with bread and olive oil, representing the traditional wine-with-food lifestyle examined in a major cardiovascular study.

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Graduation party wine selection featuring sparkling wine, white wine, rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir for a summer celebration

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Several glasses of red wine in a line overa wood countertop.

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Brunello di Montalcino 2021 wine bottle with grapes overlooking Tuscan vineyards at sunset.

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Michel Rolland on a winery.

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An old bottle of wine in a cellar.

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A woman and a man serving wine on a backyard during spring time.

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Hand holding vineyard soil in a family-owned vineyard illustrating terroir and why wine changes every vintage.

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añejo tequila amaro cocktail with vermouth and Averna served in a Nick & Nora glass

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A group of three women celebrating with wine.

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Friends enjoying wine together during a wine tasting conversation about grape varieties and wine regions.

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Wide landscape shot of Donum Estate vineyards.

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A shot of mezcal with a worm inside of it.

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Person decanting red wine into a glass decanter in a wine cellar.

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A cellar with six different wine bottles.

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Four wine glasses with different colors inside a cellar with oak barrels.

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Assorted fresh tortelloni at an Italian pasta counter, including ricotta, artichoke, and truffle varieties.

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German Chateau with Riesling wine bottles.

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How to Open a Wax-Sealed Wine Bottle (3 Easy Methods)

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The Wine Industry's Dirty Secret: Why There's No Ingredient List on Your Bottle

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Sulfur in Wine: What You Need to Know

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Why 2022 Bordeaux Might Be the Smartest (and Freshest) Buy of the Decade

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Why 2020 Bordeaux Is the Sleeper Vintage You Should Be Buying Right Now

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Top 12 White Wines to Buy at BHW Now

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Antonio Galloni’s Five Key Characteristics to Evaluate a Vintage

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Greg's Picks Founder's Favorites Available Now

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The Complete Rome Wine & Dining Guide for Wine Lovers

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Traditional Georgian qvevri cellar with rows of buried clay vessels.

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A Wine Lover’s Guide to the Bordeaux Wine Region

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Baja California Travel Guide: Explore this Unique Mexican Wine Region

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A True Wine Insider’s Guide to Napa Valley: The Ultimate Guide to Napa Valley 2025

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Local Wine & Dining in Rome | Travel Guide for Wine Lovers

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Guide to Capri: Where to Stay Eat and Drink, without a Boat!

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EU Winemakers Heading for the Hills: Climate Change Rewrites the Wine Map

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Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: The Tuscan Wine That’s Redefining Excellence

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How the Judgment of Paris Shook Up the Wine World

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Wines of Croatia: A Taste of the Adriatic

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The Best Burgundy Vintages in the Past 20 Years

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Italian Wine Ambassador’s Insider Notes on the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Blog - Big Hammer Wines

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Barolo Brilliance: Unraveling the Mystique of Piedmont's Noble Nebbiolo

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Several glasses of red wine in a line overa wood countertop.

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Aglianico Lovers: Meet the 99-Point Wine Named “Barolo of the South”!

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Love Rhône Valley? This is the sample pack for you!

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Verona Sampler

Verona Sampler

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Red Burgundy Sampler

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Calling All Bordeaux Rouge Fans!

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The Right Bank Bordeaux Sampler, Experience Epic Wines

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Escape to Summer with this Rosé Adventure!

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Pop The Bubbly & Embark On A Global Fizz Adventure!

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Premier Wine Club 6pk Sampler: Greg Martellotto's Personal Favorites, Perfect for Sharing with Friends and Family!

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Big Bold Reds 6pk Sampler: Perfect for Those Who Crave Bright, Fruity Wines with a Bold Punch!

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Talosa Rosso Toscano Di Montepulciano

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Fun, Italian Fizz. Unfiltered Prosecco that is NOT Sweet – BHW's Best Bargain!

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For Bordeaux Lovers: The Right Bank Bordeaux 6pk Sampler. Experience Merlot and Cab FrancBased Epicness

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2022 RaimbaultPineau Exception Sancerre

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Quality, Style, and Convenience. Get this EasytoUse ItalianMade Corkscrew Today! Sommelier Approved.

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