If you like wine and paying under market price for it, but supporting small-scale Aussie and NZ winemakers at the same time, then you’re going to love this.
A few years ago, we went to Orange, NSW and discovered Ferment, a lovely little wine shop in the middle of town. This shop has an amazing array of wines from Orange and the Central Ranges — many of which came from wineries with no cellar door of their own.
These winemakers tend to produce such small quantities that they could never service a bottle shop.
It got us wondering just how many small producers are out there crafting beautiful wine that never gets the attention it should.
You might find a rare bottle in a restaurant or in a little local independent wine shop nearby, but that means you have to be in the area. We all love to travel, but that’s a pretty big ask, isn’t it.
That’s where Naked Wines comes in.
This not-for-profit cooperative is focused on heroing small winemakers, helping them fund setting up their own labels and bringing wine that is normally impossible to find into the spotlight it deserves.
Within the lists of wines available at Naked Wines, you’ll never find a bottle of Graveyard or Grange (though Daryl Groom, the guy who made Grange, is involved). You won’t see Moet or Dom, nor even a Coolabah or Bankrock Station.
They’re all tiny labels — no cellar door, no national wholesaler, some don’t even have their own website. Many of them are single-person outfits or passion projects of winemakers who work for a bigger vineyard.
What We Like (And Don’t Like) About Naked Wines
We love a regular wine club, but you are limited to just one winery’s products. Naked Wines, however, has many tiny craft wineries under its banner.
The thing we liked about joining Naked Wines was we got to choose from this massive list for each delivery, and every time we got something different — something interesting. If there was anything we didn’t like, we could tell the club and get a credit on our account for the next order.
What’s more, new members to the club get a $100 discount as a joining bonus, making the first box of 12 only $89.99. Click here to join.
Because this club works directly with the winemakers — and in many cases the wine is actually made specifically for the Naked Wines club — they’re able to keep costs down while still pay the makers properly. If that’s not having your wine and drinking it, I don’t know what is!
One of the only problems we have with Naked Wines is the paradox of choice. There are just so many wines to choose from — many of which are unique — that we end up talking ourselves round in circles when it comes to choosing a bottle.
And sometimes we just want a bog standard bottle to take to dinner or swig on a sunny day. But that’s what the regular bottle shops are for.
Here’s An Example Box of Naked Wines
This box of six came direct to our door — Naked Wines promises delivery to most Aussie mainland metropolitan areas in one to two days:
Kym Carr — Dream Bird Wines Pipsqueak Fizz sparkling Chenin Blanc 2022 – Margaret River, WA $25.99 (RRP: $37.99)
This sparkling wine is from the hands of Kym Carr, whose inspiration and motivation was inspired the tragedy of losing her younger sister. Named after her sister, Pip, this bubbly has a beautifully fine bead, and flavours of crisp pear, citrus and light almond biscuit.
Geoff Thompson — Grounded Cru Pinot Gris 2024 – SA $13.99 (RRP: $19.99)
From this master winemaker who once churned out over a million cases a year with Tahbilk Group before ‘going Naked’, this Pinot Gris is pumped full of juicy citrus as well as anticipated pear and spice. This is a versatile wine, worthy of a simple sip or enjoyed with fresh, spicy food.
Mike Paterson — Lay of the Land Destination Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – Marlborough, NZ $15.99 (RRP: $22.99)
After cutting his teeth in California, Burgundy and Australia, Mike then spent 10 years mastering his craft in his native NZ. This expression of a Marlborough Sauvignon is perfectly aimed. Fruit-forward, zingy and vibrant, this is perfect for a dozen oysters.
Olivia Tate — Olivia Tate Wines Narrative Rosé 2024 – Margaret River, WA $15.99 (RRP: $22.99)
With so much wine heritage flowing through Olivia Tate’s veins (Tate as in Evans & Tate), only good things can come from this young winemaker. This Rosé is a clever blend of Margaret River Muscat and Karridale Shiraz. Medium-bodied and balanced, it’s the perfect salve to a hot day.
Caroline Dunn — Red by Caroline Dunn Shiraz 2022 – Barossa, SA $20.99 (RRP: $30.99)
Arguably Australia’s most awarded female winemaker, Caroline is a legend of the industry and much loved by the Angels. This wine is an archetype of Barossa Shiraz: full-bodied, jammy and well-structured, this is a wine to show off with.
Derek Hooper — Hooper & Co Wines Generation 2 Shiraz 2023 – Mount Benson, SA $14.99 (RRP: $21.99)
Growing up on his dad’s first winery in Coonawarra, Derek has passed on the family passion and talent to his kids too. This three-generation wine-making family is crafting superb wine in their remote off-grid organic winery on Cape Jaffa, halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne.
