Chef Angela Hartnett invests in English sparkling producer

Chef Angela Hartnett has invested in English sparkling and still wine producer Sugrue South Downs.

Sugrue South Downs was founded in 2006 by Ana and Dermot Sugrue, the former head winemaker of Nyetimber. The winery gained critical acclaim following the release of The Trouble With Dreams from the 2009 vintage.

Hartnett lists Sugrue’s wines across her portfolio of restaurants, including the recently opened Café Murano in London’s Marylebone and Cicoria at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden.

Sugrue’s investors include actor Hugh Bonneville, wine writer Hugh Johnson and hotelier Robin Hutson.

Mr & Mrs Smith founders James and Tamara Lohan and ex-Fortnum & Mason chief executive, Ewan Venters, are also among recent backers of the wine producer.

The investment will enable Sugrue to accelerate the development of the Wivelsfield Green winery, while also holding a series of pop-up events featuring the likes of Hartnett, Neil Borthwick, Mark Hix and Henry Harris.

Hartnett said: “I instantly fell in love with Dermot and Ana’s enthusiasm for life and their delicious wines – I didn’t take much convincing to invest! I’m so excited to be pouring Sugrue’s wines at all my restaurants: Murano, Café Murano, Cicoria at the Royal Opera House, as well as at Lime Wood.”

Dermot added: “We couldn’t be happier to have such accomplished people join our already stellar group of investors. Angela, James, Tamara, and Ewan are all at the top of their game and are well-versed in everything food, drink, and hospitality. I look forward to them helping us take Sugrue South Downs and our boutique wines to the next level.”