Dermot Sugrue Head Wine Maker at
Wiston Estate
Dermot Sugrue was born in Ireland in 1974 where he grew up and lived until moving to the UK in 1992. He attained an Honours Degree in Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England in 1996. After working for several years as an Independent Financial Advisor, he studied Viticulture and Oenology at Plumpton Agricultural 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, before returning to the UK in 2002 to help establish a contract winery in Suffolk.
In 2003 he joined Nyetimber Vineyard 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.
In 2006 he met with Harry and Pip Goring and they talked about the vision of the Wiston Estate vineyard and the possibility of creating a winery. After working the 2006 vintage in Champagne for Jacquinot & Fils, he returned to the UK to begin his journey at Wiston and to fulfil his ambition of setting up a winery in West Sussex. Since the launch, the winery has gone from strength to strength winning ‘Winery of the Year’ in both the WineGB Awards 2018 and 2020.
“Dermot Sugrue is the best winemaker in England.” Steven Spurrier, November 2019
“DWWA Trophy winning winemaker Dermot Sugrue’s wines are consistently exceptional” Susie Barrie MW
“With the talented Dermot Sugrue at the winemaking helm, West Sussex’s Wiston Estate has surged to the front of the increasingly competitive English fizz pack.” David Williams, The Guardian June 2017
For more on Dermot and Wiston Estate click this link.