£5.5 million investment boosts Chapel Down’s growth in Tenterden
Posted on 9 November 2026Chapel Down has secured £5.5 million to expand its Tenterden winery, marking a positive investment in the borough of Ashford and supporting the winemaker’s ambitions in the global sparkling wine market.
The funding, raised through new shares issued to institutional and professional investors, will support a new soft pressing facility at the winery off Small Hythe Road.
The investment puts Tenterden at the heart of Chapel Down’s next phase of growth, with company bosses saying the new equipment will provide the capacity needed to scale up production.
Chapel Down now expects to reach its milestone of selling 2.5 million bottles of traditional method sparkling wine by 2033, bringing its target forward by two years.
The company says this volume would be equivalent to a 1% share of the global champagne market.
As England’s leading winemaker, Chapel Down is delighted to have been able to use our listing on London’s AIM (Alternative Investment Market) to raise £5.5m of growth capital.
The success of this placing, with strong support from both new and existing investors, will enable us to optimise margin, quality and operational resilience from our existing vineyard estate through a new soft pressing facility at our winery in Tenterden.
James Pennefather, Chief Executive Officer of Chapel Down
The fundraising received backing from both new and existing investors, including members of Chapel Down’s board, who committed a combined £505,000.
Major shareholders Lord Michael Spencer and Nigel Wray each subscribed for £200,000, while Pennefather committed £20,000.
Alongside the £5.5 million fundraising, Chapel Down has launched a retail offer allowing members of the UK public to buy shares at 43p each, with a minimum investment of £100. The offer aims to raise up to a further £500,000 and closes at midday on 9 November.
