What Chapel Down does

Chapel Down is England's leading wine producer, headquartered at a winery estate in Tenterden, Kent, with a London head office. The company cultivates, sources, and leases more than 1,000 acres of vineyards across South East England (777 acres productive), specialising in Traditional Method sparkling wines (Brut, Rosé, Grand Reserve, vintage cuvées) made using the same méthode traditionnelle as Champagne, from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown on the chalky North Downs soils. It also produces still wines (Bacchus, Chardonnay, Flint Dry), the ultra-premium Kit's Coty single-vineyard range, and the experimental Discovery Series.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market: DTC e-commerce and on-site winery retail at Tenterden (the only UK site showcasing the full sparkling and still range for tasting), off-trade scaled supermarket distribution, on-trade sales to leading UK restaurants and bars, corporate gifting, and international export (Norway, Japan, China, with international sales of £1m growing 49%). Visitor experiences (tours from £15 to luxury dining at £150 per person), The Swan restaurant, and accommodation partnerships with seven regional hotels provide an experiential layer. Pricing is per-bottle/case, with standard sparkling cases around £96-£204, premium Kit's Coty at £216-£756, and a £75 free-delivery threshold for DTC.

Chapel Down Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market under ticker CDGP (admitted 7 December 2023), with 171,524,316 ordinary shares in issue. Major shareholders include IPGL/Michael Spencer (27.3%) and Nigel Wray (13.8%). The company raised a £15m financing facility with PNC Business Credit in 2025. FY2025 results reported revenue of £19.4m (+19% YoY), adjusted EBITDA of £3.7m (+25%), and a £469k pre-tax profit, reversing a £1.4m loss in FY2024, alongside a stated ambition to capture 1% of the global Champagne market by 2035.

Name

Chapel Down

Legal name

Chapel Down Group plc

Website

https://chapeldown.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Chapel Down is England's leading wine producer, specialising in Traditional Method sparkling wines and still wines from Kent vineyards. It serves premium consumers, corporate clients, UK restaurants, supermarkets, and export markets in Norway, Japan, and China via DTC e-commerce, retail, and on/off-trade distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

English Sparkling & Still Wine Production

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Grape Vineyards (111332), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD), Wine Grape Vineyard Operations (Varietal/AVA Practices, Yield & Quality Targets) (AFAGAJAJ), Wine Retail (Bottle Shops & Wine Merchants) (CRANABAB)

Keywords

• English sparkling wine
• Premium still wines
• Vineyard tours
• Corporate wine gifting
• Winery experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Tenterden

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online sales through chapeldown.com offering sparkling wines, still wines, mixed cases, personalized bottles, gift boxes, and e-gift cards. Free standard delivery on UK mainland orders over £75.
2. Off-trade (Supermarkets): Sales through leading UK supermarkets including scaled supermarket distribution as a growth driver.
3. On-trade (Restaurants and Bars): Wines served across many of the UK's finest restaurants and bars, including official supplier relationships.
4. Export: International sales grew 49% to £1m. Focus on export markets including Norway, Japan, and China which are experiencing significant growth.
5. Tours and Experiences: Revenue from vineyard tours, tutored wine tastings, dining experiences at The Swan restaurant, corporate events, and special experiences like Theatre in the Vines and Jazz Concerts. Prices range from £15 for wine flights to £150 for luxury dining experiences.
6. Corporate Gifting: Corporate wine gifts, bulk orders for weddings and corporate events, with personalised messages and multi-shipping options.
7. Winery Retail: On-site winery shop open daily 10am-5pm, the only place in the UK that showcases the full range of still and sparkling wines available to sample from the tasting bar.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Chapel Down produces and sells award-winning English sparkling and still wines from over 1,000 acres of vineyards in South East England (Kent). Core offerings include Traditional Method sparkling wines (Brut, Rosé, Grand Reserve), still wines (Bacchus, Chardonnay), and a premium Kit's Coty single-vineyard range, sold via DTC e-commerce, supermarkets, on-trade, and export markets. The company also operates vineyard tours, tastings, and dining experiences, plus corporate gifting and accommodation partnerships.

Product overview

Chapel Down is England’s leading wine producer offering a portfolio of premium sparkling and still wines. The core product lines include sparkling wines (Brut, Rosé, Grand Reserve) crafted using the traditional Champagne method, and still wines (Bacchus, Chardonnay). The premium Kit’s Coty Range represents single-vineyard, single-varietal wines pushing the boundaries of English winemaking excellence. The Discovery Series explores experimental varieties and winemaking techniques. Beyond wines, Chapel Down offers direct-to-consumer sales through its e-commerce platform with personalised gifting options (gift boxes, magnums, e-gift cards), visitor experiences (vineyard tours, tastings, dining at The Swan restaurant), corporate gifting services, and accommodation partnerships. The company operates primarily from Kent, England, with distribution through supermarkets, restaurants, and DTC channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sparkling Wines Award-winning English sparkling wines crafted using the traditional method (méthode traditionnelle), including Brut, Rosé, Grand Reserve, and vintage selections, sold to consumers, on-trade, and export markets.
• Still Wines English still wines including white and rosé varieties featuring grape varieties like Bacchus, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc, sold to consumers, on-trade, and export markets.
• Kit's Coty Range Premium collection of wines produced from the finest Kit's Coty vineyard, featuring single varietal wines including Chardonnay, Bacchus, Blanc de Blancs, and Coeur de Cuvée, positioned as the company's ultra-premium lighthouse brand.
• Discovery Series Wines from experimental plantings using modern winemaking practices, exploring the potential of English wine regions with varieties like Orange Bacchus and Albariño. Introduced in 2021.
• Wine Tours & Experiences Guided vineyard tours, tutored wine tastings, and culinary experiences at the Tenterden estate, including the Wine and Dine Experience, Cheese and Wine Tour, Luxury Dining Experience at The Swan restaurant, and walk-in wine flights from £15 per person.
• Corporate Gifting Business gifting solutions for companies seeking premium wine gifts for clients, staff appreciation, corporate events, weddings, and business hospitality, with bulk ordering, personalization, and multi-shipping options.
• E-Gift Cards Digital gift cards delivered by email, redeemable for wines and experiences both in-store and online, available in £25, £50, £75, and £100 denominations and valid for one year.

Quantifiable outcome

• 19% sales growth to £19.4m in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Jockey ClubcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 May 2026New multi-year partnership announced May 2026. Chapel Down becomes Official English Sparkling Wine of The Jockey Club, one of the UK's leading horse racing organizations with multiple prestigious racecourses.
• Royal Philharmonic OrchestracoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 March 2026Multi-year partnership making Chapel Down the Official English Sparkling Wine Partner of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing together English excellence in music and wine.
• England & Wales Cricket BoardcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Sparkling Wine partner, bringing Chapel Down to cricket audiences at major sporting events.
• Ascot RacecoursecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial English Sparkling Wine of Ascot Racecourse, positioning Chapel Down at one of Britain's most prestigious horse racing events.
• Oxford & Cambridge Boat RaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial English Sparkling Wine of the historic Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race.
• London Stock ExchangecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Supplier to the London Stock Exchange, demonstrating corporate credibility and premium positioning.
• The Print HouseminorOthers16th Century Inn with six boutique chic bedrooms in Tenterden. Partnership offering exclusive Chapel Down packages including Wine Experience Package and Premium Print House Package.
• Sissinghurst Castle FarmhouseminorOthersLuxury nine-bedroom B&B on Sissinghurst Castle National Trust estate near Cranbrook. Packages include Chapel Down wine tour, tea with homemade cake, and evening sharing platters.
• Chilston ParkminorOthersAward-winning luxury country house hotel in Lenham, Kent. Partnership offering Chapel Down wine tour combined with accommodation packages.
• Crafted at PowdermillsminorOthersLakeside hotel and members' club in Battle, East Sussex. Partnership includes Chapel Down wine tour and tasting for two, complimentary lakeside activity, and overnight stay with breakfast.
• The Little Silver HotelminorOthersBoutique hotel 4 miles from Chapel Down offering luxury car transfer. All rooms include guided tour and tasting at Chapel Down.
• Chart HillsminorOthersChampionship golf course with The Barn offering luxurious accommodation. Chapel Down package includes stay and play plus guided wine tour and tasting.
• Hector's HutminorOthersModern shepherd's hut set beside Chapel Down Vineyard offering private and secluded accommodation with effortless vineyard access.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Gusbourne: Gusbourne is a Kent and Sussex-based premium English sparkling wine producer focused on Traditional Method wines from classic Champagne grape varieties. Closely comparable to Chapel Down in geography, terroir, and product positioning.
• Hambledon Vineyard: Hambledon is England's oldest commercial vineyard, producing Traditional Method sparkling wines in Hampshire. Comparable to Chapel Down in product format, production philosophy, and premium target market.
• Balfour Winery: Balfour is a Kent-based English wine producer making both still and sparkling wines with Traditional Method production. Comparable to Chapel Down in terms of regional focus, multi-channel distribution, and DTC hospitality offering.
• Bolney Wine Estate: Bolney is a Sussex-based English wine producer offering sparkling and still wines with on-site hospitality. Comparable to Chapel Down in DTC experience offering, premium positioning, and multi-channel UK distribution.
• Nyetimber: Nyetimber is one of England's leading sparkling wine producers, using Traditional Method on chalk soils in West Sussex. Most direct comparable to Chapel Down in terms of product category, premium positioning, and target customer base.
• Hattingley Valley: Hattingley Valley is a Hampshire-based English sparkling wine producer using Traditional Method, with a focus on premium restaurant and on-trade channels. Directly comparable to Chapel Down in production approach and target market.
• Ridgeview Estate: Ridgeview is a Sussex-based English sparkling wine producer making Traditional Method wines from classic Champagne varieties. Closely comparable to Chapel Down in product format, premium positioning, and on-trade distribution focus.

Broad incumbents

• Taittinger (Domaine Evremond): Taittinger is a major Champagne house that has invested directly in English sparkling wine production through Domaine Evremond in Kent. Comparable as a Champagne producer now active in the English sparkling category, representing the competitive threat from major incumbents.
• LVMH (Moët & Chandon / Veuve Clicquot): LVMH owns the world's largest Champagne portfolio including Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, and Krug. Comparable as the dominant global sparkling wine incumbents whose strategic decisions could define the English sparkling wine category's competitive dynamics.
• Champagne Pommery (Vranken): Vranken-Pommery is a major French Champagne group and one of the world's largest wine producers. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the global sparkling wine market against which Chapel Down's English wines compete for premium positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChapelDownWines

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chapel Down