Naked Wines launches crowdfunded English fizz from Simpsons

By Lisa Riley

Published: 28 November, 2018

Naked Wines has launched its first crowdfunded English sparkling wine in collaboration with Simpsons Wine Estate.

The wine, which has been named Beora by the British public, hits shelves this week after a “rigorous 24 months of voting and debating”.

Also chosen by the Angel investors, with more than 1,200 investors having their say on the blend, label and name, the wine is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir produced by Charles and Ruth Simpson at Simpsons Wine Estate in Barham, Kent.

The launch followed Naked Wines reporting a 24% leap in sales of homegrown fizz during this year, with site searches for English sparkling wine up 65% on the company's website.

Between Angels deciding on the blend, proposing the name of the wine, and voting for the label from a local art school student, the project had been a real team effort between winemaker and customers, said Eamon FitzGerald, managing director, Naked Wines UK.

“The journey has just begun... Because of the amazing weather this year, English wine has had its vintage of the century. So, we’re only getting started with the Simpsons’ English wine adventure,” he said.

Beora - the name of the Saxon chief who the village of Barham was named after, was selected from more than 200 submitted options.

Naked Wines currently has 159 winemakers in 16 countries and 320,000 Mature Angels (customers). Sales for the full year ended 3 April 2017 were £144.3 million (internal data).

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