What We Believe
There has never been a better time to love wine.
Not because there’s more of it—but because it’s better, more diverse, and more accessible than ever before.
Modern winemaking, global connectivity, and smarter logistics have opened a marketplace unlike anything that’s existed in U.S. wine history. The options are endless. The real challenge now isn’t finding wine—it’s knowing what’s worth drinking. Life is short, right?
That’s where we come in.
We exist to explore the wines of the world and the people behind them—to wander the backroads of great wine regions, taste relentlessly, and separate the memorable from the merely available. Wine, for us, isn’t about labels or luxury for its own sake. It’s about discovery, pleasure, and connection.
Great wine belongs everywhere: at a candlelit dinner on the Italian coast, at a milestone birthday, at a wedding or anniversary—or next to a great burger at a tailgate. The best bottles don’t demand ceremony. They elevate the moment you’re already in.
When we find wines that genuinely move us—wines that brighten a day or spark a conversation—we share them. Because wine was never meant to be hoarded. It was meant to be poured.
Delivering that joy to our clients—bottle by bottle, moment by moment—is the most satisfying part of what we do.
Great Wines, Expertly Curated
We don’t chase every wine. We chase the right ones.
Our selections come from traveling to great wine regions—both famous and under-the-radar—where we meet the winemakers, taste at the source, and follow the wines from vineyard to bottle. Experience has given us a strong nose for what’s special, and an even stronger instinct for what’s not worth your time.
In a world full of options, we focus on the standouts. Our job is to find the gems—and bring them to you. We do the searching. You do the enjoying.
Who We Are
BigHammerWines.com is a San Diego–based online wine retailer built for people who want to drink better—without paying for unnecessary markups.
Our model means fewer middlemen and better value in every bottle. Quite simply: more wine for your money, and better wine at that.
Our founder is a trained winemaker, with a practiced palate for identifying both flaws and greatness—skills developed through years of hands-on production and professional tasting. That expertise guides everything we do, from sourcing to selection.
Since 2009, BigHammer has become a trusted destination for wine lovers across the U.S. Our mission hasn’t changed: deliver wines that delight, surprise, and earn a permanent spot at your table.
Our Guarantee
We stand behind every bottle we sell. If you’re not delighted with your purchase, let us know—and we’ll make it right. No hand-wringing. No hoops.
We take pride in true white-glove service. Every inquiry is handled thoughtfully by a real human, and we respond within 24 hours.
You can reach us anytime by email, or call us at 707-302-4664 during business hours
Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM PST.
Your trust matters to us. We intend to earn it—every time you open a bottle.
Meet the Experts
Meet our well-seasoned experts that scour the earth to bring you wines from all over the world.
Greg Martellotto
BHW Founder, Italian Wine Ambassador
Greg Martellotto has been making wine since 2005. His peripatetic path has led him to winemaking experience in Mexico, Italy, Napa Valley, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara.
He holds a degree in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and a Masters degree from the University of Texas. His global wine experience has provided opportunities to travel to most of the major winemaking regions of the world as both a buyer and a consumer, which informs his style.
Equally important and unique among most winemakers, Greg's experience as an importer and wine buyer provides insiders access to the greatest wines and wineries in the world. In this capacity, he regularly tastes more than 400 wines per month and he knows great wine.
Lindsay Pomeroy, MW
As a Master of Wine (MW) and owner of Wine Smarties Lindsay Pomeroy runs wine education classes, certification courses, and wine events for all levels of wine enthusiasts. She teaches Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and Wine Scholar Guild certification courses to help thirsty students understand how to approach the world of wines from a regional and tasting perspective. She has been teaching about wine since 2006 and through her own journey as a wine student shares her unique perspective and incredible palate with her students. Her goal is to take your tasting skills to the highest level.
Greg Bybee
Winemaker, Ex-Vivino Wine Curator
My quest for wine knowledge took me westward, where I was fortunate to land a role at Rochioli Vineyards, a name synonymous with excellence in California pinot noir. For five incredible years, I had the privilege of working alongside one of the pioneering families that helped put California pinot on the map. It was here that I honed my expertise in winemaking, viticulture, and the nuances of crafting exquisite pinot noir.
My journey continued to expand as I ventured into the realm of fine and rare wines at Vinfolio. At Vinfolio, I had the extraordinary opportunity to sample some of the world's most coveted and sought-after wines. As a concierge to top collectors, I learned the intricacies of wine collecting and developed a deep appreciation for the stories behind each bottle.
Ana Laura Carrillo
Ana started to fall in love with wine at a very young age when she went to study in France. Upon returning to her country, she began to enter the world of wine in a more professional way. From beginners courses, to national and international Sommelier certifications. She approved the WSET2 with distinction, and has successfully approved the WSET3 with merit.
Since the beginning of her working life, she has developed in different areas of the wine industry as a sommelier, sales, marketing, and even as a winemaker operator. It was during her stay in Chile that she truly understood the magic behind wine; being able to see and operate the transformation of a bunch of grapes into a bottle of wine was life-changing for her.
Ana herself promotes the consumption of wine and wants to convey her great passion and ensure that more people can see wine as an achievable product, without pretensions, a drink that is not only for special occasions but for every day.
Our Selection Philosophy
We don’t sell everything. We sell what’s worth drinking.
Each year, we taste over 5,500 wines and choose just 4% to offer. That level of selectivity isn’t marketing—it’s discipline.
Most of the wines we carry are independently rated 90+ points, but scores alone don’t earn a place here. We look for wines that overdeliver—depth, balance, and craftsmanship at prices that make sense.
Our edge is value: wines with $100-level quality, priced under $50, made possible through direct sourcing and cutting out the middlemen.
We do the hard part—so you can drink confidently.
Take a Shorter Path to Happiness
We operate a volume direct to consumer model, which means our pricing is similar to wholesale pricing. So low, in fact, that our suppliers often ask us to keep our sales price hidden from Google and Wine-searcher
We make email and text offers to you based on your preferences (red, white, sweet, daily or weekly).
As an online business we have low overhead which means lower prices for you (compare our prices against other online retailers)
We don't pay for ratings or reviews from sommeliers
We don't buy private label, white label, or control branded wines and make up suggested retail prices (SRPs)
Bottles Sold & Counting
Years in the Wine Industry
Verified Customer Reviews
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Your Friend in the Wine Business
Most people already have experts they rely on—a mechanic they trust, a doctor they listen to, a lawyer they call when it matters.
Wine should be no different.
If you’ve ever stood in front of a wall of bottles wondering what’s actually good, that’s where we come in. Think of us as your wine expert—the friend you can lean on to help you choose with confidence.
We curate wines with a trained, experienced palate. Most of our selections are independently rated 90+ points, and every bottle is chosen for quality, balance, and value. Once you’ve ordered from us, you’ll understand why so many customers trust our taste.
We focus on exceptional wines at every price point, often from producers you won’t find everywhere. And if you’re looking for something specific, just reach out—we’re happy to help track it down.
You don’t need to be a wine expert.
Now you’ve got one.
—Your friends at BigHammer Wines
Online Shopping Tips:
Mix and match products for free ground shipping in the continental US only when the products show ***Free Shipping on 12 or more bottles of this wine*** in the product description.
Free Shipping does NOT apply to special order wines or Bordeaux Futures.
Some wines are NET priced, which means no further discount may apply.
Similarly, no additional discounts may be applied to case discounted wines.
We're an online-only store with many wines in our warehouse, many of which are not advertised on our site. If you are looking for a particular wine or have specific interests, get in touch.
If you need the right wine at the right time, we have outstanding logistics to deliver wine to your doorstep.
If you're interested in selling collectable wines, we buy private collections with verifiable provenance. Simply email us a list with photos of wines you want to sell and we'll reply with a free evaluation.
Any questions, feel free to call us directly at +1(707)-302-4664. Our mailing address is 13831 Danielson St. Poway, CA 92064.
Thank you for shopping with us.