Denis Crespo
France
In Cairanne, Denis is a bit of a hero
- 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!
Jean Marc Astruc
France
Katie Jones' husband is finally free to go it alone... thanks to you
10,973 Ratings
1,810 Followers
- Meet Jean Marc Astruc... a respected grape grower with 30 years' experience, and Katie Jones' husband and pillar of strength. He's so respected, he was made President of his local co-operative in 1998.
- As President of the co-op, Jean Marc believed in innovation, and investment in quality, not quantity. But when the recession hit, his strategy was severely tested. After a couple of tough years and price pressure from the supermarkets, the growers had enough and kicked him out in 2011.
- Jean Marc is now free to make delicious wines from his own vines - a dream he's held for 30 years... and it's all thanks to you!!
Jonathan Maltus
France
Pioneering, 100 Parker Point winemaker based in St Emilion
8,138 Ratings
1,429 Followers
- Jonathan is probably the closest you'll ever get to a real rockstar winemaker. Iconic, ridiculously talented and living in a house bordering the beautiful banks of Bordeaux. And how did he get there? By producing some of the most sensational Garagiste wines you'll ever taste.
- A (very famous) previous vintage of Jonathan's wine scored a whopping 100 Parker points - and accolades just don't come any higher than that.
- You might think that it doesn't get any better - until we tell you that now, he's making wines that are exclusive to you. And thanks to the power of your funding - his wines are yours for an absolute steal!
Virgile Joly
France
Loveable Languedoc winemaker producing some of the region's best wines
123,302 Ratings
20,773 Followers
- Virgile Joly is almost annoyingly perfect. He's ultra organic, with the certificates to prove it. Dashingly good looking, with a beautiful wife (who fell in love with him after one harvest). Stupidly talented with wine, he has glowing reviews from the doyenne of wine writing, Jancis Robinson.
- Plus he's not afraid of hard work. He bottled his first vintage himself. 3,000 bottles, Virgile and a funnel. Now that's dedication!
- 10 years later, he's producing some of the Languedoc's most sought after wines and we're using Angel funding to help him expand his winery and go on to even greater things. Plus his surname brings a smile to our face every time we see it - what's not to like!
Benjamin Darnault
France
Consultant winemaker on a mission to uncover gems for the Angels all over the Languedoc
402,430 Ratings
42,915 Followers
- When Ben left a safe winemaking job in Australia to move back to France with his young family in the noughties, at first he really struggled. The financial crash of 2007/08 clobbered the winery he was working at, so they had to let him go. He couldn’t catch a break.
- That was until Angels freed Ben from the corporate fat cats and transformed his livelihood. Thanks to Angel investment, Ben was finally able to set up on his own and realise his lifelong dream of putting his own name on the label. Even better, he had an advance on his next vintage!
- With the backing of Angel funding, Ben has been able to invest more, source even better fruit and establish strong relationships with local growers to improve the quality of his delicious wines year-on-year. With thousands of rave reviews, he’s a bonafide Naked icon.
