Drew Tuckwell
Australia
An award-winning winemaker who's been handcrafting expressive wines for over 30 years
- Drew Tuckwell’s Kollectiv is just that. A collective effort by the winemaker, the grape growers of the Orange region, barrel makers, the cellar staff, the Naked Wines Team and you, Naked Angels. Without this collective effort, these wines would not exist.
- For nearly 20 years Drew has been handcrafting regionally and site-specific wines of character from the high-elevation, cool climate region of Orange. This is an area where wines can command up to $150 a bottle!
- The last 15 years alone has seen Drew rack up over 50 National and International Wine Show Trophy Awards while working his day job at one of the most celebrated wineries in the super-premium, super-cool Orange region.
Leighton Joy
Australia
Young chap taking over the family vineyard and turning the produce into amazing wines
47,249 Ratings
8,727 Followers
- Leighton’s eyes were opened to the idea of winemaking when he started working in his father's sultana vineyard. In 1999, his father and uncle went on to establish Pyren vineyard in the beautiful Victorian Pyrenees (now a critically acclaimed winery), and his winemaking journey began.
- Before long, Leighton had racked up crates of experience and multiple medals - including the Western Victoria Wine Challenge trophy for Best Shiraz and Best Wine. But running a small business is never plain sailing and in 2015, Pyren hit a rough spot that threatened to close its doors.
- Getting Naked changed everything for Leighton as thousands of Angels came to the rescue and tripled his wine sales overnight. Today, he continues to craft single-vineyard drops from the family’s precious vines, pouring endless amounts of honesty and integrity into each bottle. And in 2020 it earned him a spot on the Top 50 Young Guns of Wine list.
Rob Paulazzo
Australia
Talented winemaker with a passion for NSW wine regions.
130,259 Ratings
16,881 Followers
- Having worked for McWilliams, Orlando and Giesen, Rob has bucket-loads of experience and is excited to use this knowledge to make wines under his very own label. What's more, his winery has achieved rock star status from top wine critics.
- Each drop he creates draws on incredible international experience... he's been everywhere a winemaker could want to work - Burgundy, Tuscany, Napa Valley, Niagara Peninsula and even magical Marlborough.
- Born and bred in the NSW Riverina region, and nominated for young winemaker of the year in 2008, Rob's got access to some seriously amazing fruit. And he's thrilled to be making wines exclusively for Angels!
Brian Fletcher
Australia
Veteran Australian winemaker raising the bar for Aussie wines
123,772 Ratings
17,420 Followers
- Once the chief winemaker for Evans & Tate, Brian is one of Margaret River’s greatest treasures — and ours! In 30+ years in the business, he’s collected over 50 Trophies and 100s of medals. He works with a trusted network of exceptional local growers who guarantee him the best fruit. “They're as important to the process as anything,” he says. “ It’s their grapes you are drinking and I’m the translator.”
- He’s also a wizz in European wine production, earned through back-breaking vintages in old wineries in Italy and Tunisia. In fact, it was during Brian’s 5-year stint in Italy that he truly found his wine feet and decided there was no other life for him.
- Even with a resume like his, getting Naked in 2012 was a big deal for Brian. It meant he could create his own wines in his own name and share them with big-hearted wine lovers like you. And the direct connection to chat with you is the icing on the cake!
Nigel Ludlow
Australia
Industry stalwart deciding to make small parcels of wine that he wants to make not told to make
34,056 Ratings
5,654 Followers
- Nigel Ludlow has been making wine since 1994 and loves everything about it... the people, the passion, the physicality, the science, the art and making a product that is enjoyed.
- He has created a 5 star winery - Evoi Wines from 2 barrels of Chardonnay in his garage with no cash, these wines have all received 94 points from Halliday.
- His mission is to make Margaret River flagship wines for the Naked Angels!
Adrian & Rebecca Santolin
Australia
A dynamic Yarra Valley duo creating stunning European-style wines
337,459 Ratings
38,895 Followers
- Adrian and Rebecca Santolin have been involved in winemaking for more than 20 years. Their dream was to one day make their own wine — but how? In a no guts, no glory move, this plucky pair used their hard-earned savings to make one barrel of Pinot Noir. The outcome was life changing...
- Their talent shone through right from the start and we snapped them up as our first Naked winemakers back in 2012. This dynamic duo are among our most popular winemakers, adored by thousands of wine-drinkers who love their European approach to the grape.
- Since those early days, the talented pair have gone from strength to strength, fuelled by their admiring Angels and a passion for crafting sensational wines. Over the first 10 years of being Naked, they scooped up 13 trophies, 55 gold medals and countless silver and bronze. And they show no signs of stopping!
Ashley Horner
Australia
Naked's first fully certified organic winemaker!
93,168 Ratings
12,449 Followers
- Born and bred in the Upper Hunter Valley, Ash worked in local vineyards while helping to establish his Family Vineyard.
- He's one of the most passionate people we've ever met! When asked what he loved most about his job, his answer was "Everything! I love the action during vintage and the progression of grapes becoming a bottle to enjoy. I love the diversity and the abstract thinking you can put into creating a wine product. I also love the diversity of the people that work in the industry and how winemaking makes me feel complete in my life".
- What's the difference between Ash and the rest? His grapes are from organic vineyards and are made using fully certified organic practices!
