Drew Tuckwell
Australia
He's cut his teeth in the region for many years and now wants to launch his own brand
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- The first ever RT by Randal Tomich wines to get exclusively Naked are his delicate Pinot Noir and crisp, moreish Chardonnay, both grown on the Adelaide Hills vineyard his family has farmed for three generations. Hand picked, boutique quantities...all thanks to Angel backing!
- Randal's passion is clear - home is where the heart is. He approaches each of his pristine single vineyard wines "with a love and understanding of the land, treading softly and farming sustainably to create balance and harmony in life."
- Randal's father spent a life time learning hard earned secrets of soil quality - the ultimate key to premium winemaking. Randal hasn't just followed in his father's inventive footsteps, he's taken it to a new level! He's invented genius equipment and techniques promote the vineyard's health, achieving a 60% saving in both fuel costs and time.
- Two heads are better than one, and when life long passion (John) meets life long winemaking skill (Dan), the result is unimaginably unique and tasty wine that sings like the hidden hills it came from!
- 95% of wine in Australia is machine harvested. Not at Montvalley! Every single drop is hand-pruned and hand-picked, so there is little wonder the vineyard upholds it's reputation for delivering the most pure Hunter Valley fruit to the winery every year.
- Whether it be their elegant Chardonnay, flavour-packed Shiraz or classic Semillon, filling your glass with Montvalley wine is an experience truly exclusive to Naked. Drift away to your happy place with John and Dan's gorgeous wine, grown in a hidden slice of Hunter Valley heaven.
- In 2015, we put the power in your hands to vote for the first ever Angel chosen winemaker. It took just 4 hours and 16 minutes for Angels to give Kym Carr the thumbs up.
- Kym's story was one of incredible talent, utter heartbreak and unwavering determination... As a young winemaker, Kym had a winemaking world at her feet. She was winemaking for award-winning wineries Vasse Felix and Deep Woods Estate, leading to a nomination for young winemaker of the year in 2006.
- A few years later, Kym's life was monumentally changed by the passing of her younger sister. Her sister's final wish was that she carry on with life, making the most of each day by working towards her passion.
- Now a mother of two, Kym reached out to Naked as she still harboured dreams of jumping back into the wine game to create her own boutique label, packed with unique wines that are happily just a little far left of field for the big wineries.
- In 2012 Glen, a former research scientist, met Andrew, a hospitality guru and head restaurant Sommelier, at a wine tasting. They've been crafting (and arguing about) wine together ever since. In 2014, they stumbled upon derelict Mary's vineyard, 10 picturesque hectares of Shiraz and Viognier vines in Queensland's Granite Belt. Together they have nursed the vines back to health using organic practices, elbow-grease and TLC.
- Their exclusive 'La Petite Mort' label might seem a little macabre, but if you seek the true meaning of the phrase, you'll find that nothing could be further from the truth! It's about enjoyment- letting go of restraints and revelling in something new and maybe a little titillating! The boys take pride in crafting each wine to tell it's own regional story.
- As small producers from a small region, the Naked model gives the team the opportunity to propel the region's wines onto the national stage. Despite almost a century of winemaking history, Queensland produces less than 1% of Australia's wine. So, with the backing of wonderful Angels, it's high time we shout about these incredibly boutique wines!
- Naked funding will allow Paul’s expertise to be enjoyed by more than a few hundred people - before he became Naked, Paul created miniscule amounts of wine (in some cases as little as 40 dozen for one wine).
- Previously working for big wineries like Houghtons and Goundreys, in 2009 Paul turned his attention to creating his own, highly boutique wines from the oldest vineyard and cellar door in Denmark (WA).
- His first year as a go-it-alone winemaker saw his winery listed as a James Halliday Top 10 best new winery and Dark Horse winery. Paul was a man with experience, talent, and absolutely no money for grapes. Now thanks to you he has the support he needs… which means you’re in for a treat!
- HINT: Click the PLAY tab on the left to see Paul introduce himself!
- Ben Rector is out to show the potential of the lesser known vineyards of WA. With 20 years experience across some of Australia's premier winemaking regions, he knows exactly what to look for in grape growing quality, no matter the climate.
- The Pemberton and Geographe regions of South West WA are Ben's main focus. His aged release reds have all sold out in record time, and his flair for Chardonnay is undeniable.
- Ben takes great pride in his artistic licence, always ensuring that his wines go above and beyond. Angel feedback is gold dust, and the support he has received has allowed Ben to increase his output astronomically. All this in two short Naked years...what will he do next?!
- Angels have come to the rescue of Luke who had to take on the role of both Chief Winemaker and CEO after the sudden death of his father - Coonawarra winemaking Icon Patrick Tocaciu.
- Luke's passion is the regions of Coonawarra and Wrattonbully with the aim of releasing wines when they are drinking at their peak.
- He has won numerous awards over his winemaking career including 7 trophies and dozens of phenomenal Halliday results.
- Having previously worked for McWilliams Wines, Orlando Wines and Giesen Wines, 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 was recently rated in the Top 10 New Wineries by James Halliday.
- Each wine he creates now draws on incredible international experience..he's been everywhere a winemaker could want to work! Burgundy, Tuscany, Napa Valley, Niagara Peninsula and even the magical Marlborough.
- Born and bred in the NSW Riverina region, nominated for young winemaker of the year in 2008 and with access to some seriously amazing fruit, Rob is now making wines exclusively for Angels!
- Rob just gained 60,000+ new friends in the Angels. His lifelong dream is coming true and he thinks it an absolute pleasure to make the best possible wine that he can for everyone at Naked Wines!
- Cynthea has been making wine for 23 years. She started at a young age... 5 to be exact when her parents moved from San Francisco to Tassie and purchased a plot of land which they planted in 1980. It was a natural evolution to work with the vines and Cynthea eventually ended up studying winemaking and wine marketing.
- Her favourite varietals are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Cynthea absolutely loves using her sense of smell and taste as her job. It has opened her world so much more. AND, it is the best passport to travel on!
- The Angels investment allows Cynthea and her husband David more time to spend with the growers, and getting the best grapes they can. Great grapes = great wine!
