Ep. 2418 Mela Vino | Voices with Cynthia Chaplin

Jul 23, 2025

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Welcome to Voices and Episode 2418 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Cynthia Chaplin meets the team behind Mela Vino, a private label wine and lifestyle brand centered on creating wine for the modern social drinker.

More about the guests:

Mela is a Black women-owned wine brand rooted in friendship, culture, and connection. Founded by four lifelong friends, Mela blends premium Napa Valley winemaking with intentional storytelling and joy. Their four signature wines—Rosé, White, Red, and the limited-edition IV—honor the act of gathering and the richness of identity. Named for melanin and inspired by the Sanskrit word meaning “to gather,” Mela creates more than wine, it creates space. From its origin in a shared Zoom toast during the 2020 pandemic to pop-ups and community events today, Mela invites everyone to pour up, connect, and celebrate life’s moments, big and small.

Connect:

Website: https://www.melavino.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_melavino/

More about our host:

VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassador and sommelier with FIS, Cynthia Chaplin is a professor of Italian Wine and Culture, with 20 years experience in the wine industry. Cynthia is a certified wine educator, author, international judge, and content creator. She designs and presents events for embassies, corporate and private clients, develops Italian wine collections for restaurants and private clients and works with Italian wineries to train their sales and export staff.

Hosting Voices has increased her commitment to DEI in the wine sector, interviewing emerging and established wine professionals and discussing topics such as inclusivity, equity, language, sustainability and challenges facing under-represented groups and cultures as they move into careers in wine. As a certified WSET Educator, Cynthia is passionate about developing wine education for a future that will have a place at the table for anyone interested in wine.

Connect:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Italian-Wines-in-English/100036868372598/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiss_my_glassx/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-

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Until next time, Cin Cin!