Maurizio Tornesi
Italy
A family winery spanning centuries opens its doors to Angels
Maurizio’s family has been in the business since 1865 and he is so proud to carry on their tradition of showcasing Italian grapes at their best.
Recently joined by his daughter, Elisa, this is one dynamic duo and they are very excited to share classic Sangiovese flavours with Angels.
Their passion for their wines is palpable and, with family at the heart of everything they do, we just know they are going to be a hit.
From humble origins, Anna’s grandfather became an important winegrower in the area and she is proudly following in his footsteps, tending to the old family vineyard and running the winery since 2012.
A biologist and oenologist with an MBA, Anna really knows her stuff and she cannot wait to share a little taste of the region she calls home, Empordà, with Angels.
For her, authenticity is key and showcasing native varieties is at the heart of everything she does. Did you know Lledoner is the ancient Catalan name for Grenache? Nope, nor did we. Anna clearly has a lot to teach us and we cannot wait to learn!
Luca Hodgkinson
Chile
Making low-yield artisan wines isn't only Luca's passion. It's his way of life.
803 Ratings
202 Followers
Born and raised in the rugged Priorat region of Catalonia, to an English dad and French mum, Luca got a winemaking Master’s degree in Bordeaux, where he lived in the middle of St Emilion. He’s since made wines on 3 continents, and speaks 5 languages fluently.
Over the years, Luca realised he had to unlearn a lot of stuff from wine school. Like using artificial additives, pesticides, man-made irrigation and fertilizers. He believes vineyards are like people. If left to nature, they have personalities that shine through in their wines.
To Luca, wine is the most social product man has ever made, pure emotion in a glass. A mirror of the soils and location it springs from. It brings our senses down to earth. With Naked funding behind him, he’ll be able to focus 100% on what he’s best at, making his old-vine Chilean classics taste as delicious as possible.
Alessandro Biancolin
Italy
After stints in Australia and South Africa, Alessandro is back home in Sicily scouting out gems for Angels
2,245 Ratings
471 Followers
- When our very own Kevin McCarthy tipped us off about Alessandro Biancolin - a pal of his who’s working magic with grapes in Sicily... we couldn’t resist.
- With 25 years’ experience as a consultant winemaker, Alessandro has worked in every corner of Italy. So there’s literally no tank, barrel or vine he doesn’t know.
- Alessandro saw the difference that Angel funding was making to his buddy’s business and wanted in on the Naked revolution. That’s where you came in... snapping up 500 cases of his Nero D'Avola in less than 24 hours on Naked Marketplace!
- In 2015, a popular winery in the area was in a spot of bother and in need of a helping hand. Denis took up the job of winemaker and turned their old school French winery into a modern business and is already producing some spectacular wines.
- For what he has achieved, he is a very humble man who likes nothing better than a delicious meal with his family and covering some serious distance on his bike. His dream is simply to make fruity, juicy, easy-drinking wines that everyone can enjoy and he is so happy to share them with Angels.
- He was never going to be kept a secret for long and the big dogs of the industry are already cosying up to him with pleading puppy eyes. Trust us, this is just the beginning for Denis and we couldn’t be more excited!
- After spending the last 21 years making a name for himself in the region, Diego was voted 2018's Best Winemaker in Valencia - a huge honour
- His passion for putting Valencia firmly on the wine map shines through in every drop he creates
- He says “I want, with every sip, to go back (and take you!) to those long summer lunches at my grandmother's when a huge Mediterranean family would sit for hours around beautiful foods and smiling faces"
- Daniele comes from a long line of grape growers so it was only natural that he jumped at the chance to turn his passion into his career.
- He’s done pretty much every job possible in the winery and puts his years of experience into making some cracking wines.
- Daniele works with small growers, and hand picks only the very best grapes to make a delicious Pignoletto for you Angels.
Edgard Carter
Chile
The winemaking rock star who made Chile's most famous wine for 3 years
257 Ratings
6,799 Followers
- Meet Edgard Carter – possibly the most talented winemaker we’ve landed in years. Edgard worked with the team that made the legendary Seña wine, which will set you back £100 a bottle in the UK
- Five years ago Edgard went out on his own, and after a few knocks and surprises along the way, it’s make-or-break time for his solo venture
- Edgard wants to put the real Chile on the map, and shine the light on unheralded grapes from beautiful old vines. Your support will give him the boost that his talent and wines deserve.
Jorge Hervella
Spain
Consultant winemaker with a passion for crisp Galician whites
966 Ratings
193 Followers
With over 28 years of telling other wineries how to make their wines taste amazing, Jorge is pretty much the expert when it comes to crafting clean and crisp whites.
Armed with Angel funding, Jorge is now making his own wines, just for you.
With a huge passion for Galician wines and all the insider know-how, you’re guaranteed to get an absolute gem.
- We’ve been looking for an experienced winemaker familiar with the central Coast and Monterey area in particular – we knew Rick fit the bill. He's farmed the gorgeous, cool South Cali vineyards for over 25 years!
- He had been making wine his whole life, but got out of the biz (to start a bonsai business) because the risk and middlemen got in the way of his passion. He's back in, thanks to you!
- What makes Rick's wines special? "I take a different perspective compared to a lot of other wines out there - like Euro style; delicate - like focused generous reds, focused complex whites; plenty of persistence, fruit, and flavor."
