In 2006, acclaimed winemaker Dermot Sugrue planted at Storrington Priory, a small vineyard at the foot of the South Downs. The first release of Sugrue was ‘The Trouble with Dreams’ 2009 vintage which went on sale in 2013, rapidly gaining critical acclaim.
Some years after a degree in Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, Dermot studied Viticulture and Oenology at Plumpton College, Sussex. Following vintages in the UK he completed two seasons working in Bordeaux, at Chateau l’Eglise-Clinet, Pomerol and Chateau Leoville-Barton, St Julien. He joined Nyetimber in 2003 and was appointed Winemaker in 2004. Over the following years he oversaw Nyetimber’s emergence as one of the world’s greatest sparkling wine producers. He worked the 2006 vintage in Champagne for Jacquinot & Fils before joining Harry and Pip Goring to set up Wiston Estate winery, which is where he also crafts Sugrue. Dermot is also the winemaker for a number of highly respected wines produced under contract at Wiston, including Digby Fine English, Jenkyn Place and new producer Black Dog Hill as well as a good number of others.
Dermot has been hailed England's best winemaker by the legends that are Steven Spurrier & Hugh Johnson.