Two Pairs: Proof that the best wines start with friendship
When Kate Day and Nina Stocker met on the first day of winemaking university in Adelaide, friendship arrived almost instantly. Kate was early and very organised. Nina was late, juggling books, still finding her feet.
From that very first day, they clicked. Opposites then, opposites now – but always aligned where it matters.
A friendship that grew alongside a calling
Both women went on to complete post-graduate degrees in winemaking, then did what ambitious young winemakers do – they chased harvests across the world. France. Italy. Napa Valley. Portugal. Marlborough. McLaren Vale. The Yarra Valley. Tasmania. Central Victoria. Years of hard graft, long days, and lessons learned in cellars far from home.
Individually, their careers soared.
Nina rose to become Chief Winemaker for Catalina Sounds, Crowded House and Nanny Goat in New Zealand, where she earned the Air New Zealand Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc – a remarkable achievement made even more extraordinary by the fact it was her first vintage making the style. Halliday accolades followed, cementing her reputation for precision and calm confidence.
Kate was carving her own path in McLaren Vale at Willunga 100, where two of her wines were named consecutive finalists in the Jimmy Watson Trophy – one of Australian wine's most prestigious honours.
Separately, they were award-winning, globally experienced, highly respected. Together, they were still best friends who talked about wine, life and possibility whenever they could.
A love story squared
Years after university, Kate was getting married. Nina came along as a guest – and ended up making a move on the best man.
That best man happened to be John. The identical twin brother of Kate's husband, Micah.
Fate did the rest.
Nina and John fell in love, married a few years later, and suddenly the two best friends were also sisters-in-law. Two families entwined. Kids growing up together. Daily phone calls that bounced effortlessly between school drop-offs, harvest decisions and what was for dinner.
"We talk multiple times a day," Kate says. "About everything: wine, life, family or which hot chips pair best with Prosecco."
It was during family gatherings, glasses in hand, kids running around, that the same conversation kept resurfacing. "Wouldn't it be incredible to make our own wine?"
A label built entirely on their values. Wine made without compromise. Without corners cut. But they also knew the brutal reality of the industry. It may be easy for them to make great wine – selling it is another matter entirely.
"The more experience and knowledge we gained, the further away it seemed," Nina says. The irony wasn't lost on them. As their expertise grew, so did the barriers – capital, scale, risk – all stacked firmly against independent winemakers.
The day everything became real
When Kate and Nina walked into Naked Wines HQ with their wines, they weren't pitching a concept. They were sharing a vision that had been quietly fermenting for years.
Within minutes of tasting, it was clear this wasn't about fitting into an existing mould. It was about backing talent, instinct and experience – without compromise. Suddenly, the dream wasn't hypothetical. It was very possible.
Naked's model connects wine lovers directly with independent winemakers – many of whom, like Nina and Kate, have stepped out from head winemaker roles at big-name labels to do things their own way. It's the support of Naked's members that makes that possible.
"Our wines are crafted with passion, a little chaos, and the support of the amazing Naked Wines community who have given us the chance to do what we love together," says Nina.
Wine made without pretending
Based in Victoria, Two Pairs now produces exclusive, small-batch wines defined by place, balance and confidence. They're serious wines made by people who don't take themselves too seriously – a combination that shows up in every bottle.
"We believe in good drops, good laughs, and never taking ourselves too seriously – except when it comes to what's in your glass!" laughs Kate.
This is wine stripped of ego. Wine that reflects decades of skill, yes – but also friendship, trust and the freedom to follow instinct rather than trend.
Two Pairs was born – not as a clever marketing idea, but as a simple statement of fact. Two women. Two careers. Two lives perfectly paired through friendship, family and wine.
What backing winemakers really looks like
Naked was built to challenge the old system. By connecting members directly with winemakers, it creates space for labels like Two Pairs to exist – and thrive.
"We're so honoured and lucky to work with Naked Wines, alongside some of the most talented winemakers in Australia and NZ," says Nina.
For Nina and Kate, every bottle represents belief – belief in people, in craft, and in a better way of doing things.
Two women. Two careers. One shared dream, finally realised. And a very good glass of wine (or two) to go with it.
