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.
- 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 now run their own brilliant Geographe vineyard, in Western Australia. This is where all the Boots & All magic happens, turning out hand crafted, textural wines full of TLC.
- With a combined 55 years of experience 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 Hallet in the Barossa, and Neil’s vigneron experience has come from 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 in Geographe, the dream for any passionate winemaker. Now, with Angel backing, Cathy & Neil have the ability to explore all sorts of boutique possibilities within their respective crafts. This is the kind of freedom that turns wine into something truly personal, unique and undeniably delicious.
- Steve's passion and varied experience have led him to focus on new century wine styles that speak uniquely of his gorgeous home terroir in and around Orange, NSW.
- The complex possibilities of Chardonnay and the brooding just-another-sip qualities of Merlot have been the premier wines for Steve's portfolio at Naked. He is championing incredible cool climate wines; the styles currently taking NSW by storm!
- Steve's day job is part of an award-winning team, rolling and climbing between barrels for one of the region’s most recognisable brands. His exclusive boutique Made by Mobbs label is especially for Angels!
- 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.
- 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!
- 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!
- 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.
Ben Gould is a winemaker from WA with over 20 vintages under his belt. He started out picking grapes and has done every level of job there is.
Named in the Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine in the best of the best for 2011, and Gourmet Traveller class of 2011 Top Ten. Max Allen went on to review as "... a swag of wines that blew me away".
His wines are sourced from both his own certified organic and biodynamic vineyards, plus other conventional vineyards across Western Australia.
Ben managed to fund his family’s most recent vineyard purchase in the Margaret River region with help from his own direct customers, plus Angel assistance and collective orders from Naked Wines.
