Ex-Ireland cricket captain and New York publican among investors in Amy Huberman wine venture
Darragh Mc Donagh
An ex-Ireland cricket captain, the owner of a trendy bar in New York, and a former star of The Apprentice are among the high-profile investors in Amy Huberman’s new wine business, company documents reveal.
The actress and writer, who is married to rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll, launched Ah Wines last March, offering a range of sauvignon blanc and Cava from vineyards in Spain.
Accounts filed to the Companies Office show that the firm, Amy Wines Limited, had raised more than €300,000 from its investors in its first year, and recorded a loss of €52,443 during the 12 months to the end of 2024.
It had cash reserves of €241,651 and stock valued at €59,043, according to the latest accounts.
Ms Huberman’s own company, ASM Entertainment Limited, is a major shareholder in Amy Wines Limited, while her husband’s firm, ODM Limited, also holds a stake in the new venture.
Shane Davey, a beverage entrepreneur and former contestant on The Apprentice, holds almost 15 per cent of ordinary shares in the company through his firm, FDD Consulting Limited. He previously started an Irish vodka brand with author and model, Pippa O’Connor.
Another 14.67 per cent stake in Amy Wines Limited is held by HMGM Investment Holdings Limited, which is owned by Hugh Murray, who founded the Cork-based wholesaler, Classic Drinks.
Jason Molins, a former Ireland cricket captain, holds almost three percent of ‘Ordinary A’ shares in Amy Wines Limited, according to company documents. The 51-year-old is married to Galway actress, Aoife Mulholland.
Sean Cunningham, the owner of the Brass Monkey bar in New York City, holds just over seven per cent of the same class of shares in the firm – the same stake held by Brian O’Driscoll.
Other investors include Brian Fagan, a former investment banker who set up Glendalough Distillery and Five Lamps Dublin Brewery. He holds just under 15 per cent of ordinary shares in the new company.
Businessman Simon Cosgrave owns nearly six percent of Ordinary A shares in Amy Wines, and Ferro Holdings Limited – a company based in Malta – holds just over 14 per cent, company records reveal.
At the end of 2024, the firm had share capital of €300,075 and another €49,924 in a share premium account, which holds excess money raised when shares are sold for more than their nominal value.
Ah Wine’s products come from vineyards near Valencia, where the firm has partnered with local cooperative farmers. Both its sauvignon blanc and Cava Brut Rosé are stocked in Tesco and Dunnes Stores nationwide.
A unique feature of the bottles is that the consumer can write their own messages on the bottles. “You can write any number of funny, kind, sentimental, obscure sentiments to surprise and/or delight your friends or loved ones when calling over with a bottle of wine,” Ms Huberman said at the launch.
