Chapel Down has returned to growth in the first six months of 2025, bolstered by a 30% uplift in sales in the off-trade channel.
The English sparkling winemaker said sales in the six months ended 30 June grew by 11% to £7.9m, in line with management expectations. In the off-trade channel, Chapel Down sales grew by 30% to £3.8m.
Performance was bolstered by increased listings for Chapel Down Rosé, along with “new shopper marketing initiatives and a more impactful Easter promotional programme,” the supplier said.
Chapel Down was also lapping a torrid H1 2024, in which challenges relating to excess stock held by retailers resulted in a 36% collapse in off-trade sales.
Elsewhere, on-trade net sales revenue climbed by 3% to £1.2m, while international sales were up 17% to £500k, as a new distribution partnership with Jackson Family Wines in the US began to bear fruit. DTC sales fell by 7% to £2.4m, however.
Following new vineyard plantings at Boxley Abbey and Buckwell, Chapel Down’s net debt in the first six months of 2025 climbed to £11,3m – up from £9.2m in FY24 and £5.8m in H1 2024.
“Chapel Down entered 2025 with strong momentum, and I am delighted that this has continued through the first half of the year to deliver 11% net sales growth to the end of June,” said CEO James Pennefather. “With over 1,000 acres of vines now planted and as the leading brand in English wine, we continue to invest for future growth and can see significant future potential both within the UK and in key export markets.”
Separately, Chapel Down also announced a number of directorial changes, with chair Martin Glenn set to step down in September.
Glenn, who has been Chapel Down’s chair since 2020, will be replaced by billionaire philanthropist Michael Spencer.
Spencer founded inter-broker dealer NEX Group (formerly ICAP), which was bought by CME Group in 2018 for $5.4bn. He is Chapel Down’s largest shareholder, owning 27.3% of the company’s issued capital.
Meanwhile, ex-Britvic CEO Simon Litherland is to join Chapel Down’s board as an independent non-executive director.
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