Josh Donaghay-Spire hailed ‘English Winemaker of the Year’

Josh Donaghay-Spire hailed ‘English Winemaker of the Year’

by Chapel Down 24 February 2023

Our Head Winemaker, Josh Donaghay-Spire, has been announced as the ‘English Winemaker of the Year’ in the Drinks Business’ ‘100 Master Winemaker Awards’.

Released each year in recognition of the talents of the world’s finest winemakers, the ‘Master Winemaker 100’ is judged by leading Masters of Wine, including journalists and wine buyers.

Josh sits alongside winemaker legends from across the world and has been recognised for “overseeing vineyards and production for one of the most dynamic names on the English wine scene”.

After completing a BSc in Viticulture & Oenology at Plumpton College, Josh Donaghay-Spire worked at wineries across Europe and the New World before joining Chapel Down as Assistant Winemaker in 2010. Promoted to Head Winemaker in 2013, Josh also became our Operations Director last year.

The English Winemaker of the Year title comes after two of our wines were awarded Trophies at the English Wine Masters last year. Chapel Down Three Graces 2016 and Chapel Down Kit’s Coty Blanc de Blancs 2015 were two of the highest scoring wines in the competition.

Click below to read full details of the Master Winemaker 100, as well as an interview with Josh Donaghay-Spire on page 90.

CLICK HERE