Bill and Claudia Small
New Zealand
Bill and Claudia's Wines
- New Zealand
- 1Â wine
- 1Â style
Marlborough-based husband and wife team with loads of talent
- Bill & Claudia Small are award-winning winemakers challenged by Angels to make the best Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough.
- They're a fun-loving husband and wife team who lets nothing compromise their wines.
- They finally make their own wines because of Angel funding.
Vineyard Location
Bill and Claudia Small's Story
The Smalls consider themselves “pretty lucky.” When they met, as classmates studying viticulture and enology at the University of Adelaide, they didn’t imagine their future would include a family and successful wine brand with them as co-winemakers at the helm.
“Three decades on, we’re married and have three awesome kids. We’re still in the wine game and are loving making our Small and Small wines for angels here in Marlborough, New Zealand. Up until the 80’s, Marlborough was a sleepy farming community. In many ways it still is — even though the world has fallen in love with its vibrant Sauvignon Blanc.”
A Dynamic Duo
Side by side they’ve witnessed the Marlborough region transform. Right before their eyes, what was a sleepy farming community became the largest planting of Sauvignon Blanc on the planet. With the growth came a pioneering mindset — the whole winemaking community was discovering world-class grape growing spots and experimenting with new winemaking techniques. Before joining the Naked portfolio, Bill and Claudia held day jobs as winemaker and viticulturist, respectively, for a large winery. The positions gave them exposure to all the groundbreaking winemaking innovations and insight into the temporary oversupply of fruit brought on by the global financial crisis and the region’s rapid growth.
When Bill and Claudia heard of Naked Wines in 2010, they recognized how beneficial the business model would be to winemakers and wine drinkers.
“The idea of using the monthly contributions of angels to match the timelines and cash flow requirements of grape growing and winemaking seemed clever. Creating a community of wine drinkers and producers sounded like it could encourage open dialogue, greater understanding and happier customers. Both have proven to be true.”
Continuing the pioneering they were so fond of, the Smalls became some of the first winemakers to join the Naked model. When asked what they wanted to produce, they knew immediately that they’d be able to get their hands on some “lovely fruit looking for a home.”
“With Naked’s support we signed up those grapes, forming relationships with some of Marlborough’s best independent growers. Those relationships have endured to this day and to continue to work with such fruit still feels like a privilege that few winemakers enjoy.”
Continuing the Project
If you ask them, the Smalls will tell you the satisfaction that comes with owning their own label has never worn off, and they are grateful for the Angel support that makes every vintage possible. It’s Angels like you that make it possible for the Smalls’ to produce wines that have won awards and accolades around the globe. But, being true to what drew them to Naked Wines in the first place, they say accumulating awards can’t beat hearing the genuine experiences of individual Angels who’ve enjoyed drinking Small and Small. The joy is always in the small things.
“The only things we really need is a coffee at the start of the day, a beer at the end, and plenty of jokes in between things. It's a good life!”
Bill and Claudia's Archangels
I learned to love wine in 2003, from my wine-loving in-laws in Germany. My favorite wine ever is Grauburgunder from my homeland. I mostly drink dry "interesting" whites and bold reds. I love indigenous grapes from less-common wine regions. I love visiting wineries in my wine-producing state. I also love champagne and cava and don't just think they're for special occasions or brunch.
In the past I would have described myself as a lover of reds. Since being involved with Naked Wines and the winemakers and other participants, I've opened my horizons and really embraced all wines and the qualities they have to offer. Knowledge is power.
I live in Missoula, Montana where I am a retired lawyer/Insurance Company CEO. I love the Naked Wine concept and the camaraderie of the host of angels and angelic winemakers I am getting to know. Good wine, great price and good friends, what more could I ask. I see NakedWines as a supersocial network with benefits;
