A word from the winemakers

Chris Baker

What made you want to start working with Naked Wines?

It just sounded ideal. After 10+ years running a large custom crush facility and struggling to support my own brand as well, it sounded like the perfect opportunity. I could keep my own brand without some of the hassle, and have a much greater reach than I could achieve on my own. I can also focus on the parts I love, like winemaking and vineyard work, all the things I really enjoy.

How has your life and business changed since you started working with Naked Wines?

My life has almost completely changed. After a couple years, I was able to quit my day job running the largest winery in Oregon, making wines for other people, and I could now focus on my family and my wines. The amount of extra time I’ve gained with my son is immeasurable. 

What have you been able to do thanks to Angel support?

Angel funding allowed me to purchase my own vineyard. It’s one of the very few sites in the Willamette Valley growing Pinot Blanc, a style I’m so excited to bring to Angels. We eventually moved onto the property and I now get to spend most of my days out in the vineyard, or doing wine work in my little winery, instead of sitting a desk writing work orders or trying to be a salesman. 

Whose wine do you always keep in stock?

I couldn’t pick a favorite, but I’ve become a huge sparkling fan over the years, and I order tons from all our producers. My go-tos are Françoise’s Cremant de Limoux styles and Wayne Donaldson’s. 

Derek Rohlffs Fall 2021 USA drinking a glass of red wine.

Derek Rohlffs

What made you want to start working with Naked Wines?

I recall the day I heard that Naked Wines was coming to America, and I loved the way they connected winemakers with wine drinkers. It just makes so much sense. For centuries, wine has been the ultimate social beverage, and Naked is in the business of making meaningful memories and strengthening real relationships. I’m honored to play a small role in this virtuous circle. 

How has your life and business changed since you started working with Naked Wines?

Naked Wines has changed my life, without a doubt, and it has allowed me to realize a number of dreams: planting my own vineyard, making old vine Zinfandel wines, and connecting with so many amazing Angels. Angels are the glue that holds Naked Wines together and, as I express every change I get, their support for me, my family, and my winegrowing work has been profound. Thanks a million, Angels!

What have you been able to do thanks to Angel support?

I’ve bought a beautiful 20-acre property in Anderson Valley, and I’ve planted a world-class Pinot Noir vineyard, and make one of the highest rated Zinfandels in the world with a Decanter Platinum Award. And of course, meet and thank thousands of Angels who have supported my work since day one. 

Whose wine do you always keep in stock?

I always reach for wines from my dear friend and former winemaking partner Ken Deis. While Ken is now enjoying his well-earned retirement, we spent a decade together crafting the Angel-favorite Crowdpleazin wine from old vine vineyards in Sonoma's renowned Dry Creek Valley. Ken also crafted some of Napa Valley's finest Cabernet Sauvignons for decades and joined Naked Wines in the early days, same as me. One more example of wine bringing good people together and allowing us both to enjoy the good life. Cheers to my friend Ken!

Karen Birmingham

What made you want to start working with Naked Wines?

What first drew me to NakedWines was the idea that consumers were supporting the winemaker directly and trusting us to make the wines we believed in.  At that point in my career, I had spent many years making wines for other brands, so the opportunity to create wines under my own name and connect directly with the people drinking them felt very refreshing.  I also liked that the focus was on the winemaking story and the wines themselves instead of marketing and trends.  It was an opportunity to showcase my own winemaking style, the vineyards I believed in, and the potential I knew these wines could have.  

How has your life and business changed since you started working with Naked Wines?

Before Naked Wines, I was mostly a ‘behind-the-scenes’ winemaker. Even though I was deeply involved in the process, the wines I made were often driven by the style, goals, and vision of the people or the brands they represented. Working with Naked Wines has given me the opportunity to step out from behind the scenes and put my own style, vineyard focus, and experience at the center of the wines. Now 10 years later, the support and connection from Naked and the Angels has allowed me to focus on what I care about most, and it’s a connection that continues to motivate and inspire me with every vintage. 

What have you been able to do thanks to Angel support?

I’ve been able to launch my own wine brand and focus on the vineyards and wines that truly stand out from Lodi.  Naked Wines gave me the freedom to make wines in the style I believe best expresses the vineyard, variety, and vintage, while also giving me the opportunity to start new projects like the Reserve Barbera and, just recently, the Sweet wines.

I’ve been able to connect directly with consumers and hear honest feedback from the people actually drinking the wines, versus making a wine and often getting no feedback or having it filtered through marketing or sales teams.  

And I can spend more of my time focused on vineyards, winemaking, and the wines themselves instead of the corporate side of the business.  That freedom has kept me creatively motivated and allowed me to continue evolving as a winemaker with each new vintage.  

Whose wine do you always keep in stock?

Lindsey Rich and David Akiyoshi, because I worked closely with both of them during my winemaking career.  David played a big role in my development as a winemaker, and after working with him for over 20 years, tasting his wines feels a bit like home.  Lindsey is a talented winemaker who I worked with early in her career, and I always enjoy the wines she makes.  I look forward to seeing what she does next

Macario Montoya

What made you want to start working with Naked Wines?

I saw it as a great chance to share my art with the world. 

How has your life and business changed since you started working with Naked Wines?

I’ve gained a better appreciation for exploration and challenging myself. The blank slate to do what I want has been uplifting and exciting, and I’ve been able to focus on what I’m passionate about. I can explore new varieties and help Angels explore their own expectations of wine. 

What have you been able to do thanks to Angel support?

I can make the wines I want to make, with my brother Maceo’s artwork on the label. And I’ve been able to create a fund to continue my legacy as a Mexican American winemaker. 

Whose wine do you always keep in stock?

Scott Peterson. He has an amazing personality, and each of his wines shows it with character, a sense of place, and real soul. 

Jen Pfeiffer

What made you want to start working with Naked Wines?

I was introduced by Sam Plunkett, our families had been friends and industry colleagues for many years. Naked was just setting up in Australia and Sam suggested me, Jen Pfeiffer from Rutherglen, the girl with the superstar palate!! The date was set for the Naked Team to come to our winery to meet with me.

The day they were due to arrive was an exceptionally busy one for me in the winery.  I was up to my eyeballs in wine work and dressed accordingly (holey trousers, stained shirt and so on).  As anyone who knows me well knows, 'farshun' is not my forte at the best of times!! My dad gave me a stern talking to about how I couldn't have a business meeting dressed the way I was, and I needed to go and change into something more professional.  I said that was NEVER going to happen, I was too busy, and if they cared about stuff like that, I wasn't interested in doing business with them anyway!!!

At the appointed time, a group of people walked up our driveway to the back of the winery wearing shorts, t-shirts and thongs (flip flops).  I thought these are my kind of people!!!  

That first meeting was the start of our enduring relationship, one that is built on wine industry values, championing independence and giving everyone a fair go.  As history would attest, it has been a match made in heaven for the past 14 years.

How has your life and business changed since you started working with Naked Wines?

I started with Naked when I was young, and it really helped establish me in my own right. I could step out of my father’s shadow and build my own reputation as a winemaker. And Naked has helped build our family business of Pfeiffer Wines. It has introduced so many new customers to our wines, and even more exciting, brought them to our winery to visit. 

What have you been able to do thanks to Angel support?

I’ve upgraded our vineyard irrigation from overhead sprinklers to drippers, using 60% less water and our refrigeration plant, which improves our wine quality and reduces electricity use. And I’ve built a new barrel shed to boot!

Whose wine do you always keep in stock?

I’ve been very lucky to have access to ur Australian and New Zealand winemakers, so I won’t brag there. The ones I don’t get to enjoy as often as I’d like are Katie Jones’ Fiou (one of the best reds I’ve had from Naked’s portfolio) and Oscar Quevedo’s LBV Port; fortified wine is a passion of mine, and I love Port. I’ve always said if I didn’t live in Rutherglen, I’d live in the Douro. 

Scott Kelley

What made you want to start working with Naked Wines?

Matt Parish approached me as I was leaving my gig of 20 years as a corporate winemaker, and he convinced me to go out on my own. It was a great opportunity to diversify, and I went independent.

How has your life and business changed since you started working with Naked Wines?

Naked has provided the ability to grow my business in a stable, confident fashion. If I were relying solely on my tasting room and wholesale business, I would not have been able to grow sustainably. 

What have you been able to do thanks to Angel support?

I’ve been able to share my wines with thousands of customers that otherwise would never have found me, all while creating wines that never would have seen the light of day. No one else would have trusted Oregon Tempranillo; it’s a difficult sell because it doesn’t fit the mold, but here I am, able to make it. 

Whose wine do you always keep in stock?

Patrice Grasset. I love his wines for their balance and crispness. They’re great by themselves, but they really shine at the table. I really like his Pouilly Fume. 

Dave Harvey

What made you want to start working with Naked Wines?

The idea of being a part of the cutting edge of wine marketing in the US felt very exciting.

How has your life and business changed since you started working with Naked Wines?

My life has changed for the better, thanks to Naked supporting me in building my dream of owning and operating my own winery.

What have you been able to do thanks to Angel support?

I’ve had the unique opportunity to reach tens of thousands of wine drinkers, all under my own brand and winery. And of course, I’ve had the time to do a bit more fishing. 

Whose wine do you always keep in stock?

I really like Alex Farber’s whites!