2025 – a Vintage year for OCC Patron Marc Millon
For OCC Patron, food and wine writer and educator Marc Millon, 2025 has been a vintage year.
Born in Mexico, and a long-term resident of Devon, it’s clear that Marc’s heart actually lies in Italy. According to his close friend and award-winning winemaker Mario Fontana, Marc’s knowledge of Italy is unsurpassed; “He (Marc) is a unique person – one of the greatest experts on Italian culture, cuisine and wines. I believe it is difficult to find anyone in the world with such profound knowledge of all three”.
Marc’s knowledge stems from many years of cultural immersion and detailed, meticulous study. “His research is undertaken with immense respect”, notes Fontana, “He understands the value of lesser-known stories that have local significance – those which have been passed down through families”.
This nuanced appreciation of Italian wine culture proved to be of practical use to Mario Fontana: “I met Marc over 30 years ago, around the time the Piedmont wine world was embracing new production techniques. He was instrumental in me maintaining my pursuit of traditional methods. Under his sensitive influence, I understood I must continue on a traditional path – the one my ancestors followed, producing classic-style wines which we still love today”.
Marc’s most recent book, Italy in a Wine Glass: A Taste of History, has received glowing reviews and several prestigious awards. In June, Marc won the Drinks Writer Award from the Guild of Food Writers, and a few days later at the World Gourmand Awards in Portugal, Italy in a Wine Glass was named Best Wine History Book in the World.
In the words of his fellow OCC Patron, Dr Jessica B. Harris: “Anyone curious about the history of Italian wines could find no better guide than Marc Millon. Italy in a Wine Glass brilliantly recounts Italy’s history through its wines and, with an academic’s erudition and a bon vivant’s verve, offers a refreshing draught that can be savoured by novice and connoisseur alike”.
During 2025 his book provided the foundation for numerous well-received events in the UK and internationally, including a masterclass and tasting at VinItaly, Italy’s annual wine fair in Verona, a tasting organised with OCC Patron Paul Bloomfield at the Oxford Literary Festival, and a Culinary Salon Dinner for around 100 guests at Ulster University in Belfast. Marc was recently in Poznan for events to celebrate publication of the Polish version of Italy in a Wine Glass, and OCC is set to host events in Cluj and Bucharest, to showcase the forthcoming Romanian edition.
This year Marc has also reached a milestone with his groundbreaking podcast – Wine, Food and Travel with Marc Millon – having now broadcast over 200 editions, with each attracting over 8000 listeners from around the world.
Marc continues to work with Martin Randall Travel, the UK’s leading cultural travel specialist, and is currently curating a new Italian tour, Gastronomic Campania which will run in October 2026. He also writes feature articles and reviews for World of Fine Wine Magazine.
To purchase a copy of Italy in a Wine Glass: A Taste of History – follow link
Learn more about vineyard Cascina Fontana, owned by Mario Fontana – follow link
Mario Fontana won Italian Wine Maker of the Year for 2025 at the prestigious Gambero Ross awards.