Denis Crespo
France
Denis's Wines
- France
- 2 wines
- 1 style
The winemaking hero of Cairanne, France
In 2015, La Cave Cairanne was in need of a helping hand. Denis took the job as winemaker and turned this traditional French winery into a modern business that is producing spectacular wines.
As La Cave’s Head Winemaker, Denis turned Cave Cairanne into a thriving winery – and you’re helping him keep that legacy alive. By supporting Denis, you’re supporting the small village of Cairanne and giving its wines the limelight Denis knows they deserve.
For all Denis has achieved, he’s a humble man who simply loves to “make wines that give you easy, uncomplicated pleasure.” Don’t let his laissez-faire attitude fool you – his wines are one of France’s best kept secrets!
Vineyard Location
Denis Crespo's Story
Denis was born in Bordeaux, a lucky place to be born in the world of wines. At a young age, he decided to explore a career in wine and studied it for 6 years. During an internship at a small family-owned winery in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône, he fell totally in love with this area and its wines. Because of this life-changing experience, he became a winemaker. He made his first wine in 1995 and has never looked back. “I believe I’m really lucky since my job is my passion. I have no regrets at all.”
Denis calls himself a builder, one who starts from ground zero every year. No two vintages are the same. The climate, weather conditions and the vines change. He has to constantly adapt to express himself in his wines. He refuses to make “standard” wines – each has its own unique profile and character. They are like children, each with a different personality.
Denis currently makes a varied selection of charming Southern Rhône wines. For him, wine is not made to be kept for years in a fancy cellar. His approach is to make wines that are ready to drink with family and friends, where one glass leads to a second glass. “My style is wine that gives you easy, uncomplicated pleasure.”
Denis is responsible for the turnaround of La Cave Cairanne, an old French winery, where he is head winemaker. He also played a crucial role in the recognition of Cairanne as a Rhône Cru. Cairanne achieved Côtes du Rhône status in 1953 and became a Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation in 1967. Finally, the Cairanne applied to become a Rhône Cru in 2008, and in 2016, became the 17th Cru. La Cave Cairanne, spearheaded by Denis, was instrumental in finally putting Cairanne on the French wine map.
In fact, Denis’s winery has saved this great region in the Southern Rhône in every way. Because of Angel support, La Cave Cairanne will thrive, and in turn, keep the small village of Cairanne alive. Your funding helps employ more than 60 families all year around. “Together we work honestly, without hierarchy, to produce quality wines. The gratification is that our small village remains alive, kids go to school and small shops are still around. Local people are proud of what we accomplish together.”
Denis is thrilled to be a part of Naked’s network of independent winemakers and Angels, where he brings his delicious, easy-drinking wines directly to you. Your feedback is valuable to him – an enormous inspiration to continue following his passion.
