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 c.9% 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 generates revenue 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. Chapel Down is the Official Sparkling Wine of the England & Wales Cricket Board, as well as the Official English Sparkling Wine of Ascot Racecourse, the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race, The Jockey Club and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. 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 36% in the UK off-trade in 2025. The wines are stocked in over 2,700 leading hospitality outlets, including The Pig hotels, Handpicked Hotels and ATG Entertainment. 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 40 key UK travel hubs, as well as exporting to 16 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 April 2025, Louan Mouton joined the Board as CFO. Louan is a Chartered Accountant with significant experience in consumer goods organisations, including Fever Tree Drinks plc and Typhoo Tea Ltd. Chapel Down is supported by a Board led by Michael Spencer and includes significant shareholder 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 shareholder@chapeldown.com
