Chapel Down secures £5.5m cash injection to expand Tenterden winery

Chapel Down has secured a £5.5 million cash injection to expand its winery and enhance its operations. The Tenterden winemaker raised the funds by issuing new shares to institutional and professional investors. This investment will be directed towards the construction of a new soft pressing facility at its winery located off Small Hythe Road.

The new equipment is expected to significantly increase production capacity, allowing Chapel Down to scale up its operations. The company aims to achieve a milestone of selling 2.5 million bottles of traditional method sparkling wine by 2033, a target that has been advanced by two years. This volume would equate to a 1% share of the global champagne market.

Chapel Down's chief executive officer expressed satisfaction with the successful fundraising, highlighting the support from both new and existing investors. The investment will enable the winery to optimise margin, quality, and operational resilience from its existing vineyard estate.

In addition to the main investment, Chapel Down has launched a retail offer that allows everyday investors and members of the public in the UK to purchase shares at 43p each. This retail offer requires a minimum investment of £100 and aims to raise an additional £500,000, closing at midday on November 9.