NakedWines.com, the worldwide online wine retailer founded by Rowan Gormley which launched in the UK on December 2008 has been on a special mission, to make small production, “boutique wine” accessible to everyone. In 2012, they opened a USA location in where else, but the epicenter of California wine country, Napa, California. As a recent area transplant, from the East Coast, I decided to delve into the wine company headquartered down the road from my home.
How Naked Wines is Different from traditional Wine Club models:
Simply put, a monthly $40 angel investment makes you, an angel partner, a wine club member, with no strings attached. You can stay or leave, get your money back or drink wonderful wines by independent winemakers from around the world.
This company funds independent winemakers and pass along wholesale prices to us, the customer/you (aka angel investors). In essence, NakedWines invests in independent winemakers from around the world, in return for exclusive wines at preferential prices - which are passed on to the customers. Reds, whites, rosés, even sparkling wines.
I was game, so I dove into the opportunity to stock up on some Summertime sips.
The Process:
After being asked my preferences of "what wines am I drinking right now?" I replied, rosé, crisp whites, French and light pinot noirs. To my delight, that is what was exactly represented in the box. Six wines I have never heard of by I just received my first shipment of 6 wines, by 4 different winemakers. Quickly I was intrigued who were the names behind the label. Well, I am an investor, right?
My Selections:
Patrice Grasset, Loire Valley France: Patrice is a third generation French winemaker making some of the best-rated wines on the NakedWines site while working at the Villebois winery. He learned the winemaking trade from his grandfather aand father and always dreamed of making his own label, from his 160-year old terroire in Loire Valley. He calls his wines "Iconic French wines without any pretense." I cannot wait to chill and try these bottles.
From Grasset's lineup , I received a 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Loire's darling varietal, Sancerre and a 2017 Pouilly-Fumé.
I dug right into the rose and was completely in love. Crisp, refined, notes of strawberry, slight cherry and black pepper. Goes into my #RoseAllDay category.
Comparative Market Price $13.99, NakedWines Angel Price $10.99
Derek Rohlffs: Derek started making wine out of his garage in 2001, now Derek's wines are the darling of celebrity chefs, featured in high-end restaurants like Bobby Flay, Bouchon, Gary Danko and Michael Mina. Derek has great winemaking skills and has the connections to make fantastic wines from extraordinary places - he loves working with signature regions like Napa, Dry Creek Valley, Santa Lucia.
I received Rohlf's Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. It was a terrific find, tasted on 10-14-19.
Comparative Market Price $25, NakedWines Angel Price $12.99
Benjamin Laroche: Benjamin's family has made famous French Chardonnay for centuries, with 7 generations of family expertise behind him, he brings a wealth of local knowledge in every sip! With Angel support, Benjamin is making his dream a reality...creating his own range of stunning Chablis, showcasing the quality and purity the Burgundy region has to offer. Benjamin has been travelling around the world on a mission to discover "The essence of the pure Chardonnay".
T
hanks to angel investors, he's able to keep this tradition alive, and make wine under his own name. 'la Manufature Vins Fins' I received a Chablis Premier Crus, Vaillons Vielles Vignes (old vines). It was awarded gold at Decanter awards 2017. This Premier Cru sings with the Chablis trifecta: freshness, minerality, and cream.
Comparative Market Price $39.64, NakedWines Angel Price $24.99
Gerd Stepp: Highly regarded German winemaker, with 25 years experience making wine all over the world. From him I recieved a pinot noir *8* from Pfalz 2017.
Comparative Market Price $20.99, NakedWines Angel Price $15.99
So, to be an angel investor you can apply here to put a modest a monthly investment of $40 into you wine “piggy bank” which can be used toward a purchase. Shipments come in cases of 6 and 12. Use code given here, to get you $100 off your first order of $160 or more, your first order. it. I absolutely was more than satisfied with my wines and cannot wait for my next shipment: us.nakedwines.com/CITYPEEK100
Patti Neumann is Publisher/Founder of CITYPEEK.com and an award-winning columnist and blogger on food, wine.
Connect with CITYPEEK we Peek into the World of Food & Wine:
Facebook: Click
Twitter: Click
Instagram: Click
Add Events
Food, Wine & Travel News
LinkedIn
Print view