Who doesn’t love the idea of a curated box of wine arriving at their doorstep monthly? I certainly do! Naked Wines is a leading wine subscription in Australia, offering a unique selection of wines from independent winemakers in Australia and New Zealand. Read on to learn about my experience of Naked Wines, whether it’s value for money, and my favourite wines.
| The Good: | The Not So Good: |
| Convenient way of trying new wines | Box did not come insulated |
| Cost effective | Currently only ship to metro areas |
| Receive a credit if you don’t like the wines | No tasting cards available |
What is Naked Wines?
Naked Wines is a unique wine subscription service connecting wine lovers directly with independent winemakers in Australia and New Zealand. Naked Wines have been around for over 10 years, and work with over 90 independent winemakers. By working directly with the wine makers, Naked Wines can offer customers up to 30% off what you would normally pay in store, passing the savings directly on to you.
How does Naked Wines work?
Naked Wines is designed to make premium wine accessible and enjoyable. When you land on their website, you are first directed to choose your country, then state. Once you click ‘Get Started’ you are prompted to take a 3-minute quiz which helps you find out what wines you prefer and lets you read about Naked Wines selection process. At the end of the quiz, you get a $100 voucher to use on your first box. The quiz is a fun and interactive way to start your wine journey, especially for those that are new to wines, and removes any doubts about knowing what to order. From here you then enter your email address and sign up to receive your $100 welcome voucher.
After you redeem your welcome voucher, you can become an “Angel,” contributing $40 monthly into your Naked Wines account. This credit is fully adjustable and can be used to purchase wines whenever you choose – how good is that! One of my immediate concerns was that if I didn’t like the wine I received, it would be a wasted however, Naked Wines has a solution for that. If you don’t like a wine, they will credit your account so you can try something else on your next order. This way, you’ll never pay for a wine you don’t like! As an Angel member, you also have the opportunity to leave reviews and read others’ experiences which is helpful when choosing your next wines!
There are hundreds of high-quality, award-winning wines to choose from as part of Naked Wines selection. They also fund exclusive collaborations with worldwide independent winemakers such as Daryl Groom, who crafted the Penfolds Grange. Using the search bar on their wine index page, you can search for wines by grape, country or wine maker, and filter their wine menu by grape variety, style such as ‘big reds’, ‘fruity whites’, and even organic wines.
As someone who is interested in organic wines, I searched the wine index using this filter and was shown 19 wines. Each wine on the menu listed the grape variety, region and wine makers, and had a rating to show the number of those who would buy it again out of those who purchased it. The prices are also shown, with the Angel membership price underneath the original price. From here you can simply add your chosen wines to your cart and checkout. The ordering experience is very simple and stress-free.
You can pause, skip or cancel deliveries at any time. Naked Wines offers next day delivery in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth metro areas, for orders placed before 3pm. They do not currently ship to the Northern Territory.
How much does Naked Wines cost?
While the initial offer of $89.99 for 12 bottles is a steal, the value continues with Naked Wines Angel Membership. You simply invest $40 per month, which accrues in your account, making this a flexible and cost-effective way to restocking your wine collection. Wines are priced at $7.50 per bottle for your welcome voucher, and remain well priced, with prices up to 30% off market value. If you do not choose to sign up to an Angel Membership, prices start from $14.99 per bottle. These prices are highly appealing to those who enjoy the occasional sip, to those who are wine enthusiasts.
My Naked Wines experience
I am a firm Red and Rose wine drinker, and my partner really enjoys his Red’s, so we were excited to try some new varieties! We received 12 selected wines:
- Phillip Yarra Pinot Noir 2023
- Dolan & Dunn BV Shiraz 2022
- 3 Flying Pigs Tasmania Pinot Noir 2023
- Interlude Prosecco Rose
- 2x Abundance Shiraz 2021
- Four Men and a Shed Graciano 2023
- SP Butterfly Effect Rose 2024
- Lover’s Grave Rose 2023
- Chicas French Rose 2022
- Horner Sparkling Rose 2023
- Horner Family Cowra Shiraz 2023
The box was large, and all the bottles were intact, with a simple cardboard divider keeping the bottles secure. The box was not insulated with any packaging materials. If you live in a warmer climate, I would be concerned if this box was left outside in the sun on a hot day. As I am somewhat of a newbie when it comes to wines, I was also hoping there would be some instructions on how to store the wines for optimal tasting. As someone who doesn’t have a cellar or a large fridge, I was concerned the wines would not be appropriately stored.
Apart from the labels on the wines, my partner and I were disappointed to discover there was no additional information included about the wine makers or any tasting notes. As Naked Wines works hard to support independent wine makers, and this is a draw card for many, it would be great to see more curated information given with each box, so customers have the chance to learn more about what they are drinking and where it comes from. My partner ended up using a wine App to search each wine before we drank it to find out its rating and tasting notes which helped us choose what to drink with each meal.
I love that Naked Wines give you the opportunity to sample wines from independent wineries that you may not have known of before. As someone who enjoys a glass of wine every now and again but isn’t quite at the expert level of wine drinking, this experience enabled me to learn more about what I like and don’t like. I enjoyed nearly every bottle we received, with the Phillip Yarra Pinot Noir and Lover’s Grave Rose being my two favourites! The Rose was easy to drink and lovely and crisp. The Pinot Noir was smooth and paired well with a homemade curry. As someone who previously didn’t gravitate towards shiraz’s, I learnt a new appreciation for them and enjoyed trying each new bottle over dinner. Whilst I am a Rose lover, the sparkling Rose’s were not something I would order again. All-in-all, the 12 wines gave myself and my partner the opportunity to sample new wine varieties, from the comfort of our own home, which we loved!
How does Naked Wines compare to other services?
Good Pair Days is a very popular wine subscription service in Australia, offering a personalised selection of wines direct to your door. With Good Pair Days, you earn points for trying new wines which you can redeem for exclusive merch and pre-release wines, making trying new wines, a gamified experience.
Good Pair Days emphasises a personalised website experience, using a quiz to curate wines matching your palate. It’s intuitive and fun, and really goes the extra mile to understand your flavour preferences, making it a draw card for those who are unsure about their preferences. Naked Wines quiz is a great way to discover your wine preferences, however it is simple, and may appeal more to those who value efficiency over customisation.
Naked Wines stands out with its value-driven approach. Their introductory offer of $89.99 for 12 bottles translates to just $7.50 per bottle, while ongoing Angel membership ensures consistent savings of up to 30%. Good Pair Days, on the other hand, offers wines starting at around $14 per bottle, and do not offer a $100 welcome voucher. Unlike Naked Wines who provides you with a credit if you don’t like a wine, Good Pair Days will add a free wine to your next box. There are no subscription fees with Good Pair Days, you simply pay for the bottles you receive, providing you with maximum flexibility. If you don’t like the idea of committing $40 monthly, Good Pairs Days may be a suitable option.
Good Pair Days wins on variety, with hundreds of wines available from all over the world including Japan and Greece! When selecting wines, you can filter their menu by production method, tannins, alcohol % and even the level of oak, outshining Naked Wines on the ability to customise. They also include tasting notes and recipes with every bottle, allowing you to not only learn about each wine, but to enjoy each wine.
If you are wanting to supporting local winemakers while enjoying exceptional wines at affordable prices, Naked Wines a clear winner for me. However, if you are really looking to explore and learn all things wine, Good Pair Days has an extensive range and fantastic user experience that takes the guess work out of choosing the right wines for you.
Final Thoughts
Naked Wines delivers top-quality wines at affordable prices, with maximum convenience. Whether you’re new to wine or a seasoned connoisseur, their offerings provide something for everyone, all while supporting local, independent wine makers.
Naked Wines Subscription
Summary
Naked Wines is a wine subscription service that delivers a variety of top-quality wines at affordable prices.
Naked Wines FAQs
You can become an “Angel” by making recurring monthly deposits to your “Angel Fund.” Use this fund to purchase wines at significantly reduced prices from independent winemakers.
You can explore their website, read reviews, and watch videos to find wines that interest you. Utilise their recommendation engine or try curated “Discovery Cases.”
Enjoy the “Love it or Leave it” Guarantee. Return any unsatisfactory wine for a full refund or exchange.
