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Climate change has meant that vineyards in the south of England, especially the South Downs with its chalk soil, can produce very good wine. Some critics are of the opinion that English sparkling wine is as good as Champagne, if not better. In 2020, we were rated as the finest producer of English sparkling wine by Hugh Johnson OBE, a respected international wine author. We have twice been named ‘Boutique Producer of the Year’ by WineGB and in 2022 we were one of three finalists in the ‘Best Drinks Producer’ category of the BBC Food & Farming Awards. We were beaten by a peppermint tea producer in Hampshire!

We sell to restaurants in Brighton, London and across the UK, but the export market is growing too. We distribute to wine merchants and other clients across mainland Europe and Scandinavia, with strong demand from America and surging interest in English wines from Asia. The world is waking up to English sparkling wines and importers and distributors everywhere are exploring our best offerings. Because of my experience with leading producers, there has been considerable interest in our project at Sugrue South Downs.

Pig Expansion

My wife has played a major part in our success. Ana studied Horticulture in Croatia and her Masters was in Viticulture. She worked in Peru, New Zealand, California, Austria and Germany, before moving to England as Winemaking Lecturer at Plumpton College. Ana became the first employee of Sugrue South Downs in 2021 and has transformed the company. As well as taking charge of financial matters, her experience helps me develop the wines and market them too. We are in the luxury goods business and our labels and packaging represent that.

Over the years, several people have enquired about investing in Sugrue South Downs, but none of the proposals were quite right for us. Now, we have found an investor we’re delighted to being working with. Robin Hutson is the founder and chairman of The Pig group of hotels, the latest of which is down the lane in Madehurst.

Robin is a keen supporter of English wine, and his Pigs hotels have actively suppressed Champagne in favour of English fizz. The Pig in the South Downs has planted a two-acre vineyard and we will be making the first vintage next year. So, the investment is mutually beneficial and will help Sugrue South Downs expand too.

Last year’s harvest is in sensational form. After the great, long summer of 2022, we had a reasonable quantity of grapes with exceptional ripeness. We’ve been sampling from the barrels and they already taste fantastic. You’ll have to wait a while, but the 2022 vintage will be a good year!

WORDS: BEN MORRIS

PHOTOS: ALAN WRIGHT

Further information: To buy Sugrue South Downs wines, please visit sugruesouthdowns.com enquiries@sugruesouthdowns.com

SugrueSouthDowns sugruesouthdowns

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