Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melinda Calandrello. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Melinda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I worked in Los Angeles in the wine business for over 13 years and learned a LOT. I worked with several different suppliers and a distributor selling wine to high-end restaurants, hotels, and fine wine retailers. I studied and received several certifications that increased my credibility with buyers and sold wine from all over the world.

After years of talking to customers or sitting across from buyers in some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, I noticed something surprising… no matter how elevated the setting, people were asking for the same thing; and it wasn’t the rarest bottle in the cellar. They simply wanted a great wine to sip or pair with dinner that didn’t break the bank or make them feel like they made the wrong choice.

The idea for the show came about after I had left California and was thinking of how to stay in the wine business but do it “my way.” I realized that regular people don’t care about fancy wine terms and certifications. They want to have a trusted source help them find a delicious bottle of wine, what food it pairs well with, what it tastes like, and where to find it. I essentially wanted to to take the intimidation and stress out of wine shopping and Make Wine Easy for people to enjoy! There wasn’t really anywhere to find that in one place that I had seen, and there certainly wasn’t a place to get all of this important information quickly and in an easily digestible way. There are thousands of wines out there, how do you even know where to begin especially if you’re just starting to try wine. How could I make wine effortless for a mass audience?

Even if you are already a wine lover, I feel like we can all use resource that answers all the major questions in one quick video to Make Wine Easy and fun again! And if you are new to wine, this is a perfect way to break into this world without feeling overwhelmed. The mission is quick tips and quick bites because everyone is busy and time is a precious commodity these days.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am the host of MAKE WINE EASY, a wine show created for people who love wine but don’t want it to feel intimidating, expensive, or complicated.

After spending over 13 years in Los Angeles working as a wine professional, I realized something very simple… most people don’t want (or need) to become wine experts. They just want confidence. They want to confidently choose a great bottle to bring to a dinner party, pair wine with food, or enjoy a glass they actually love without overthinking it or overspending.

That realization led to the launch of the show last year under its original name, An EVERYDAY SOMMELIER. We released 26 episodes in 2025; what we now proudly call Season 1. As the audience grew, it became clear that the mission mattered more than the title. So in 2026, we leaned fully into that mission and renamed the show MAKE WINE EASY.

In a few weeks, we’re launching Season 2 with a refreshed, faster-paced format. Episodes will now be 60 seconds or less – quick, helpful bites of wine knowledge for busy lives. Same expertise, same warmth, just delivered in a simpler, more accessible way.

With 26 episodes released in Season 1 and a growing multi-platform audience, the show is evolving into more than a series; it’s becoming a community of people who want to enjoy wine without feeling intimidated by it. So in our lead-up to the Season 2 premiere, we’re also re-releasing all of the Season 1 episodes with our new branding to get people caught up and excited!

The show has also led to some amazing new opportunities. I’ve started receiving requests for in-person events and tastings. So, in addition to the show, I’m also expanding into private and corporate wine events… everything from in-home tastings and dinner pairings to corporate gatherings, brunches, bachelorette parties, and themed celebrations. Each experience is curated around the occasion, the people, and the moment.

These events bring the show to life, turning what people watch online into something they experience in real time.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

My business partner is my amazing husband! We met in Los Angeles 8 years ago. I was pursuing my acting and wine career and he was working as an accomplished filmmaker and artist.

We moved to Savannah, Georgia 2 years ago, trading Hollywood noise for Southern charm, slower mornings, and creative space.

We came up with the idea together a year ago, after trying for a while to figure out how to combine our skills to create something we both love. We kept asking ourselves one question: how do we combine wine expertise and cinematic storytelling into something that feels fresh?

We work on the show together which is so fun! I curate the wines and host the show and he directs/produces the episodes and then puts them all together. It’s fun going to wine shops and wine bars in search of the next one to feature on the show.

I have to say, this is the first time we have worked on a project together and it gives us something to look forward to each week, brainstorm together, and we get to spend quality time with each other while making the show. I love it!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I have always enjoyed reading and have kept a journal for as long as I can remember. I love the book, The Alchemist, and have read it several times. It always reminds me that the growth in the journey really is the treasure.
I listen to Wayne Dyer, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Mel Robbins, among others to keep me in the present and focused. I find when I have down time or alone in the car, these are my go to’s and they have very much helped me along the way.

Writing in my journal keeps me grounded and focused on what I am appreciating and grateful for everyday too. It also helps me clarify decisions, refine ideas, and trust my instincts as we continue to grow the business.

I think it’s different for everyone but having some sort of practice is so important especially when you are an entrepreneur. It can be tough to create and start something from scratch but in the end, it’s your voice and your art in the world which is so rewarding.

Building something from scratch can feel uncertain at times, but creating something that truly reflects who you are makes the journey worth it. The world of wine is an incredible and incredibly interesting place to explore, and I think it’s important to invite in as many people as possible to this world. If I can can open the door and MAKE WINE EASY for people to enter… then I feel like I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://makewineeasy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aneverydaysommelier
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakeWineEasy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aneverydaysommelier
• Twitter: https://x.com/AnEverydaySomm
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakeWineEasy
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makewineeasy
  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/makewineeasy.bsky.social
  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@aneverydaysommelier?hl=en

Image Credits

Photo Credits: Tim Calandrello