Chapel Down has reached a milestone in its pursuit of a 1% share of the global champagne market, selling more than one million bottles of English sparkling wine in a single year for the first time.
The Kent-based winemaker, listed on London’s junior Aim market and backed by Lord Spencer of Alresford, reported that the million-bottle haul represents roughly 0.4% of champagne’s worldwide market share. Chief executive James Pennefather, who took the helm last year, expects that figure to climb to 0.7% by the end of the decade.
Ambitious Growth Target
“We certainly do have options to get there faster, but it also slightly depends on what happens to the wider champagne market,” Pennefather said. The company’s long-term ambition is anchored in its available acreage across Kent.
While champagne has historically been reserved for formal celebrations, Pennefather argued that English sparkling wine is redrawing the category’s boundaries. “One of the real strengths of Chapel Down and English sparking wine is that we’ve expanded the number of occasions on which people are drinking high-value sparkling wines,” he said. “That gives us confidence that we are also expanding the category as a whole.”
The company farms more than 1,000 acres of vineyards across south-east England, producing both still and sparkling wines. Its brand profile has been bolstered by partnerships with Ascot, The Boat Race, and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Strong Financial Results
Results for the year ending December 31, 2025, revealed growing appetite for home-grown sparkling wine. Group revenues climbed 19% to £19.4 million, driven chiefly by a 38% surge in off-trade sales through supermarkets to £9.4 million following a 5% rise in listings.
On-trade sales through pubs, bars, and restaurants edged up 5% to £2.6 million, helped by new account wins. International revenues jumped 49% to £1 million, lifted by the firm’s partnership with Jackson Family Wines in the United States and increased visibility at British airports and St Pancras International station.
The performance pushed Chapel Down back into profitability, with pre-tax profits of £469,000 compared with a £1.4 million loss the previous year. Buoyed by a strong start to 2026, the board reaffirmed guidance for net sales of £22.1 million, in line with City consensus.
Watching Global Risks
Pennefather acknowledged that conflict in Iran represents a watch-point for the business, though the Middle East accounts for only a “small” share of revenues. “We haven’t seen any immediate impact,” he said, “but a sustained increase in fuel costs could have an impact on profitability.”