Born and raised in Brescia, Italy, the land of Franciacorta, Melania has always had a passion for food and wine. After completing her degree in management at Bocconi University in Milan, she decided to turn her passion into work. By May 2014 she was designated as a certified Sommelier from Associazione Italiana Sommelier (Italian Sommelier Association). She currently lives in Houston with her husband. After two years of experience as a wine sales representative she has opened her own wine distribution company, Impero Wine Distributors, Texas. Her new company is part of a larger franchise in the United States working as a wholesaler that specializes in boutique Italian wines. Today she supplies wines to bars, restaurants and retailers in Houston. Her plan is to expand to other major cities in Texas. She also loves to organize educational wine events in bars and restaurants.