Chapel Down is England’s leading and largest wine producer with an award-winning range of sparkling and still wines.
The largest producer in the UK
Chapel Down has exceptional vineyard assets spanning over 1,000 acres - equivalent to about 10% of the UK’s total vineyards or 1.5 million individual vines, with 70% of this acreage concentrated across four outstanding vineyards in Kent’s Downs. The Company sold 1.4 million bottles of wine in 2023, revenue is generated from off-trade, on-trade, export, and direct to consumer e-commerce and retail sales.
Leading English sparkling wine brand
Chapel Down is England’s leading and largest winemaker and the power brand of English wine, the world’s newest international wine region. From its home in Kent in the heart of the Garden of England, Chapel Down produces a range of sparkling and still wines which consistently win prestigious international awards for their quality.
Chapel Down’s status as the most recognised English wine brand is supported by its partnerships with flagship sporting and cultural events including Ascot, The Boat Race and Pub in the Park, and Chapel Down is the ‘Official Sparkling Wine’ of the England and Wales Cricket Board. The Company also welcomes approximately 50,000 visitors a year for winery tours and tastings at its brand home and retail experience in Tenterden, Kent.
Broad distribution
Chapel Down’s multi award-winning wines are widely available across leading retailers, including Harrods, Majestic, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Sainsbury’s, with a market share of 34% in the off-trade in 2024. The wines are stocked in over 2,400 leading hospitality outlets, including The Pig hotels and Tom Kerridge’s Hand & Flowers restaurant. The brand has a strong direct to consumer business, through its e-commerce website and brand home in Tenterden. Chapel Down has a strong Global Travel Retail business, now located in 35 key UK travel hubs, as well as exporting to 14 markets including the USA and Scandinavia.
Talented management team
The highly regarded management team is led by CEO James Pennefather, who has worked in the premium drinks industry for over 25 years and was most recently CEO of The Lakes Distillery Company PLC, where he led the business’s successful sale to The Nyetimber Group in 2024. Prior to that, James held a number of senior leadership roles at William Grant & Sons and Diageo across the UK, Middle East, Africa and India. In September 2022, Rob Smith joined the Board as CFO. Rob is a Chartered Accountant who has held Senior Leadership roles in Finance spanning 13 years as a PwC Partner. Chapel Down is supported by a Board led by Martin Glenn and includes significant shareholders, Michael Spencer and Nigel Wray.
Shareholder Benefits
Chapel Down shareholders are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including a 33% discount on full priced wine purchases, complimentary guided tours at the Chapel Down Winery, and early access to new vintages for shareholders with 2,000 shares or more. For more information on shareholder benefits, please visit our website. To register as a shareholder to receive these, please contact
[email protected]