Simon 'Sorby' Adams
Australia
Former chief winemaker at Iconic Yalumba winery in the Barossa, now forging his own way
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Simon Sorby Adams is one of the most influential and acclaimed winemakers in Australia, with 40 years experience in the Barossa.
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He was instrumental (firstly as Senior, then Chief Winemaker) at Yalumba for twenty years, in establishing the truly iconic international reputation for its masthead premium wines.
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Throughout his award-winning career, Sorby’s philosophy of seeking out the finest grapes from the best vineyards in the Barossa and high Eden to create exceptional wines, has been at the very heart of everything he does.
Drew Tuckwell
Australia
He's cut his teeth in the region for many years and now wants to launch his own brand
1,666 Ratings
335 Followers
- Drew Tuckwell’s Kollectiv is just that. A collective effort by the winemaker, the grape growers of the Orange region and you, Naked Angels. Without this collective effort, these wines would not exist.
- For over a quarter-century Drew has been handcrafting state-of-the-art wines from some of the most prestigious and burgeoning regions way out west in New South Wales. This is an area where wines can command up to $95 a bottle!
- The last ten years alone has seen Drew rack up over 12 Trophy Awards while working his day job at one of the most celebrated wineries in the super-premium, super-cool Orange region.
Bart Van Olphen
Australia
Dutchman who came here 15 years ago for one vintage! Fell in love with the vines, and a fellow winemaker.
4,109 Ratings
759 Followers
- Bart van Olphen’s wine journey is totally unique. Born and raised among the windmills and tulips of his native Holland, he learned his winemaking craft in Germany’s Pfalz region, honed it in the USA, handmade mighty reds alongside the legend that is Steve Pannell for eight years in McLaren Vale before settling in Victoria.
- Bart is married to Kim Chalmers of the famed Chalmers vineyards and it’s from these excellent family-grown grapes that he sources the most delectable, pristine fruit to power his Angel-exclusive B.V.O range of deliciousness!
- Bart is very much a minimal interventionist winemaker: grow the best fruit, let it talk and stay hands off as much as possible. And with the huge array of Chalmers grapes available to choose from Bart is like a kid in a candy store!
Cathy & Neil Howard
Australia
Winemaking team with over 50 years experience looking to grow their business and engage with Angels
5,317 Ratings
794 Followers
Cathy & Neil run their own brilliant Geographe vineyard in Western Australia. This is where the Boots & All magic happens, turning out hand crafted, textural wines full of TLC and flavour. What’s more their winery has previously been rated in the Top 10 New Wineries and a 5 Star Winery by the esteemed writer James Halliday.
With a combined 55 years of experience working with some of the BIGGEST and BEST in the game, we didn’t hesitate welcoming this wonder couple in to the Naked community. Cathy honed her winemaking craft at the likes of St Hallett in the Barossa, and Neil’s vigneron experience has come from the likes of the mighty Sandalford in Margaret River.
It's been a long road to taking the leap and managing their own patch of perfect soil - a dream for any passionate winemaker. Now, with Angel backing, Cathy & Neil have the ability to craft small batch, single vineyard wines which are full of varietal flavour from grapes grown in ancient soils. This is the kind of freedom that turns wine into something truly personal, unique and undeniably delicious.
Randal Tomich
Australia
Winemaker who believes the most important part of winemaking is the soil the grapes are grown in
8,116 Ratings
1,346 Followers
- 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.
Kym Carr
Australia
Chosen by Angels to get back into the winemaking game after a 5 year break
10,571 Ratings
1,973 Followers
- 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.
Judy & Glen Kelly
Australia
An energetic couple thinking outside the box and setting the next Aussie wine trends!
9,756 Ratings
1,351 Followers
- Judy & Glen are serious front runners in the rankings of Australia's most forward-thinking, versatile winemakers.
- They have let their passion lead their numbers, planting over 17 alternative Mediterranean varietals in both their Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills vineyards.
- Aussie wine drinkers are setting the trend when it comes to the next generation of favourites, so jump in to Chateau Coco's world of fun today.
Paul Nelson
Australia
Producing premium wine from Denmark in southern W.A.
19,821 Ratings
3,083 Followers
- 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!
Rob Paulazzo
Australia
Talented winemaker with a passion for NSW wine regions.
71,050 Ratings
10,549 Followers
- 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 100,000+ 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!
Altschwager & Kenneally Wines
New Zealand
All for one and one for all! This could well be the catchcry for this team
17,934 Ratings
2,872 Followers
- Altschwager & Kenneally prove that four heads can be better than one. A true collaboration that taps into a vast wealth of winemaking experience in both New Zealand and Australia.
- At the core of every wine they hand craft is an unswerving respect for the land. Their passion is to source only the highest quality, sustainably grown fruit. The attention to detail is reflected in the sheer expressiveness of their wines.
- Angel funding means everything to the Altschwager & Kenneally team. It ignited a dream to branch out on their own and break free from the shackles of corporate winemaking.
