Fruit

Chapel Down drops plans to build £32m winery near Canterbury

24th October 2025

Kent-based wine producer Chapel Down has confirmed it is abandoning plans to invest in a new £32 million winery.

Chapel Down explained that the delay in obtaining final planning permission for a purpose-built winery near Canterbury caused the company to review alternative options to support increased winemaking production capacity.

The business plans to use its current winemaking facilities instead of building the new site.

A spokesperson for the winery said: “The company instead intends to optimise its existing winemaking assets at its original Tenterden winery to become a centre of excellence for the production of exceptional quality traditional method sparkling wines, which can be achieved without significant capex.

“In addition, we will utilise existing spare third-party winemaking capacity in Kent to produce some of our premium still wines. As a result of this decision, Chapel Down will have access to 3,300 tonnes of winemaking capacity in the medium-term and will no longer require investment for a new standalone winery. Any impact on cost of goods will be immaterial.”

Foundations for sustained profitable growth

Chapel Down said that the warm summer of 2025 provided ideal growing conditions in its vineyards, with winemaker Josh Donaghay-Spire forecasting a high-quality vintage at an above-average yield.

James Pennefather, CEO at Chapel Down, said: “With over 1,000 acres of vineyards already planted in some of Kent’s finest terroir, Chapel Down has laid the foundations for sustained profitable growth in the medium-term.

“I am therefore delighted at the progress this year that Chapel Down has made against this goal, ensuring that we have the winemaking capacity, strong brand and routes to market in place to deliver this. We continue to see significant future potential both within the UK and in key export markets and believe that our leading brand remains well positioned to benefit from the positive consumer engagement we are seeing within the category.

“I would like to thank all members of the Chapel Down team and our partners for the significant contribution they are making to our continued delivery of sustained profitable growth.”

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