Questions & answers
Why Big Hammer Wines?
We taste about 5,000 wines a year. Four in a hundred make it here, bought direct and priced close to wholesale.
San Diego · Family-run · Since 2009
- 5,000 wines tasted every year
- 4% make the cut
- 2,700+ five-star reviews
- 2009 founded in San Diego
Every wine is chosen by founder Greg Martellotto, Italian Wine Ambassador and winemaker, with more than 25 years in wine.
What makes us different
The short version: we taste a lot, keep very little, and buy direct.
What makes Big Hammer Wines different?
Big Hammer Wines tastes about 5,000 wines a year and sells only the roughly 4% that make the cut, most of them rated 90+ by independent critics. Founder Greg Martellotto, an Italian Wine Ambassador and winemaker, buys direct from producers and importers by the pallet, so prices land close to wholesale.
Why buy from Big Hammer Wines instead of a grocery store?
Big Hammer Wines is built for people who want more than the grocery aisle: it keeps about 4 in 100 of the 5,000 wines it tastes each year, mostly 90+ rated, buys them direct to keep prices close to wholesale, and ships to your door with free shipping on 12 or more bottles, mix and match.
How does Big Hammer Wines compare with big online wine stores?
Big Hammer Wines is built around a filter, not a giant catalog: a wine is listed only if it earns its place among the roughly 4% of the 5,000 wines tasted each year, and it is bought direct from the producer or importer so the price stays close to wholesale.
How can Big Hammer Wines sell 90+ point wines at such good prices?
Big Hammer Wines buys direct from producers and importers, often by the pallet, which cuts out middlemen and lands prices close to wholesale. VIP Case Deals lower the price further when you buy by the case.
Are the critic scores real?
Yes. Big Hammer Wines shows only real scores from independent critics, matched to the exact vintage, and never pays for a rating or a review.
Who picks the wines?
Founder Greg Martellotto, an Italian Wine Ambassador with more than 25 years in wine who also makes wine under his own Martellotto label, leads the tasting of about 5,000 wines a year.
Is Big Hammer Wines a good place to buy Italian wine?
Yes. Founder Greg Martellotto is an Italian Wine Ambassador who travels to Italy every year to source wines directly from producers, and Italian wine is one of Big Hammer Wines' specialties.
Does Big Hammer Wines make its own wine?
Yes. Founder Greg Martellotto makes wine under the Martellotto label in Santa Barbara County, California, so Big Hammer Wines is run by people who make wine, not just sell it.
Is Big Hammer Wines legit?
Yes. Big Hammer Wines is an independent, family-run online wine shop in San Diego, selling wine since 2009, with more than 2,700 five-star customer reviews and a satisfaction guarantee: love every bottle or we make it right.
Shipping & delivery
Where we ship, how fast, and how we protect the wine on the way.
Which states do you ship to?
We ship to most US states, but not to Utah, and some states don't allow wine shipments from out-of-state retailers, so please confirm you can receive wine where you live before ordering.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes: free shipping on 12 or more bottles, mix and match, on in-stock wines to the continental US. Bordeaux futures and special-order wines are excluded.
Do you ship to Alaska or Hawaii?
Yes, we ship to Alaska and Hawaii. Free shipping doesn't apply there; shipping is charged at checkout.
How fast do you ship?
We ship by FedEx or UPS, ground or air, and California orders may go by Golden State Overnight, typically within 2 business days. Overnight orders that reach our warehouse after 2:00 p.m. Pacific are processed the next day.
Do you hold shipments during extreme heat or cold?
Yes. When the weather could damage the wine, we may hold your shipment until it's safe to ship. To ship sooner in hot weather, choose 2-day or overnight air and add ice packs.
Do I need to be 21 to order wine?
Yes. You must be 21 or older to order or receive wine, and an adult must sign with ID at delivery.
Orders, returns & our guarantee
What happens after you click buy.
Do you have a satisfaction guarantee?
Yes: love every bottle or we make it right. If something is wrong with your order, email sales@bighammerwines.com within 5 business days of receiving it; wines more than five years old are sold as-is.
What is your return policy?
Due to California state law we can't accept returns, and wines more than five years old are sold as-is. If something is wrong with your order, email sales@bighammerwines.com.
Where is my order?
You'll get a shipping confirmation email with tracking when your order ships, and you can check its status in your account.
What are the best deals at Big Hammer Wines?
Big Hammer Wines runs VIP Case Deals (buy more, pay less), the Final Hammer flash deal (one wine at a time on a real countdown) and free shipping on 12 or more bottles, mix and match.
Can I use a discount code on case deals?
No. Case-discounted and NET-priced wines are already at their lowest price, so no further discounts apply.
Is my order insured?
Every order is insured up to $100, and more coverage is available for a small charge. Insurance doesn't cover weather damage, so in hot or cold weather we suggest 2-day or overnight air.
Gifts, clubs & help
Send a bottle, join a club, or ask us anything.
Can I send wine as a gift?
Yes. An adult 21 or older must sign at delivery, we may ask for extra details to verify a gift shipment, and handwritten gift cards are available for a small fee.
Do you have wine clubs?
Can I get personal wine recommendations?
Yes. Ask Greg recommends wines from the current selection, and our team answers at sales@bighammerwines.com.
How do I contact you?
Call (707) 302-4664 or email sales@bighammerwines.com; we're happy to help.
Our promise
Love every bottle, or we make it right.
More than 2,700 five-star reviews say we do.