Chapel Down: A Guide to England's Leading Wine Producer
Set in the rolling Kent countryside close to the picturesque market town of Tenterden, Chapel Down is England's leading wine producer and one of the country's most celebrated destinations for English sparkling wine. Its stated mission is to change the way the world thinks about English wine, and a glance at its trophy cabinet, including a Decanter Best in Show, IWC Trophies, and multiple Great British Food Awards, suggests the team is well on its way. Visitors can tour the vineyards and winery, dine in the two-AA-Rosette Swan restaurant, sample flights at the cellar door bar, or stock up at the only UK shop that showcases the full Chapel Down range.
A winemaker rooted in Kent
Chapel Down's home is the Winery Estate at Small Hythe, on the Kent/Sussex border where chalk, clay and loam soils produce the kind of cool-climate fruit that traditional-method sparkling wine demands. Grapes are grown predominantly on single and double guyot pruning systems across a network of vineyards in Kent, Sussex and Essex, with the prestigious single-vineyard wines from Kit's Coty on the south-facing slopes of the North Downs representing the pinnacle of the range. The North Downs location, just an hour from London, is one of the most scenic wine tourism destinations in the country and lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Visit the estate
The Cellar Door shop is open every day from 10am to 5pm and stocks the complete range of still and sparkling wines. Wine flights are served at the tasting bar throughout the day for walk-in guests, and the surrounding vineyards can be explored at any time on a self-guided walk. Free parking is available on site, and three designated disabled bays sit closest to the cellar door entrance. A manual wheelchair is offered free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis (reserve in advance by emailing retail@chapeldown.com or calling 01580 766111). Mobility scooters are also permitted, though the team asks for advance notice so tasting areas can be arranged.
Getting there
Chapel Down is best reached by car and is just outside Tenterden in the village of Small Hythe. The nearest train stations are Headcorn and Ashford International, both of which are accessible for disabled travellers. If you cannot get to the estate, Chapel Down will come to you: the Chapel Down Goes to Town service sends a Brand Ambassador to host a two-hour tasting anywhere in Kent or Greater London for groups of 10 to 30 at £75 per person (minimum charge £750).
Tours and experiences
The full programme of tours and experiences ranges from accessible walk-in flights to full-day luxury dining. All vineyard and winery tours (apart from the vineyard walking tour) are accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters, but tours that include lunch at The Swan require climbing 36 stairs to reach the restaurant. Please consider this when booking. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the estate.
Guided Tour and Tasting (from £30)
A two-hour introduction to the vineyard cycle, the English grape harvest and the intricate process of traditional-method sparkling winemaking, finishing with a tutored tasting of five signature wines.
Cheese and Wine Experience (from £70)
Also two hours, this tour combines a guided vineyard walk and five-wine tutored tasting with local cheeses and artisanal crackers, plus a £10 gift voucher to spend in the winery shop.
Wine and Dine Experience (from £120)
A four-hour package that begins with the guided tour and tasting and ends with a three-course set lunch at The Swan, paired with two glasses of Chapel Down still wine. Guests also receive a gift set to take home.
The Kit's Coty Collection Tour (from £50)
A two-hour deep dive into the single-vineyard programme, starting in the Tenterden vineyard with an expert guide and continuing into the winery for a behind-the-scenes talk with the Senior Cellar Hand. The session finishes with a tutored tasting of the Kit's Coty still and sparkling range, including the Coeur de Cuvée 2016.
Luxury Dining Experience (from £150)
A five-hour evening that opens with a vineyard tour at golden hour, continues with a tutored tasting of five luxury wines, and culminates in a five-course tasting menu served in The Swan with two glasses of Chapel Down still wine.
Walk-In Wine Flight (from £15)
No booking required. Drop in to the cellar door any time between 10am and 5pm, choose any three wines from the full range (excluding Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée), and enjoy them at your leisure. Cheese and charcuterie are available from the shop to enjoy alongside the flight.
Gift a tour
Tour gift cards are delivered as e-vouchers by email and can be redeemed online. Current e-voucher prices start from £40 (Guided Tour and Tasting), £70 (Cheese and Wine Experience), £120 (Wine and Dine Experience) and £160 (Luxury Dining Experience).
The Swan restaurant
Onsite, the Swan at Chapel Down is a two-AA-Rosette restaurant serving the finest locally and regionally sourced produce alongside Chapel Down's award-winning wines. The 80-cover restaurant features a private dining Chef's Table and an outdoor terrace with views across the county. Please note that The Swan is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. As the restaurant sits up a flight of 36 stairs without a lift, it is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
What's on in the vineyard
Chapel Down runs a busy events calendar alongside its tours and tastings. The What's On in the Vineyard calendar lists the following upcoming experiences.
Around the World in 80 Days, 9th August (from £18)
An open-air theatrical romp through Jules Verne's classic, performed by a troupe of actor-musicians with dazzling live music, outrageous characters, and a parade of trains, boats and theatrical mayhem. Bring chairs or blankets to sit on; drinks and light nibbles will be available on site. Book tickets.
Sunset Yoga, 26th August (from £35)
A one-hour yoga session (vinyasa flow, weather permitting, in the vineyard, or indoors in the Wine Sanctuary overlooking the vines) followed by a one-hour tutored tasting of five Chapel Down wines. Bring your own mat. Reserve your spot.
Chapel Down Magnum Festival, 5th & 6th September (from £35)
The inaugural Magnum Festival is a weekend of bigger bottles, bigger celebrations and bigger experiences at the home of English wine. Expect live music throughout the day, exceptional food from leading Kent restaurants and producers, bars pouring Chapel Down's award-winning wines, and exclusive Magnum Masterclasses. Saturday runs from 12pm to 8pm; Sunday from 12pm to 6pm. Tickets include festival entry, a glass of Chapel Down Brut served from magnum on arrival, live entertainment, and either complimentary return coach travel from Headcorn Station (scheduled coach times plus an hourly minibus shuttle) or free parking. Just an hour from London and easily accessible from across Kent, the festival is the headline event of the English wine social calendar.
Taste of England Chef Series: An Evening with Ethan Pack of Three Sheets, 4th August (from £75)
One of three winners of Chapel Down's nationwide Taste of England campaign, chef Ethan Pack takes over The Swan's kitchen for one night only. Expect a three-course menu of outstanding British produce paired with Chapel Down sparkling wines, including Pork & Oyster with Chapel Down Rosé Reserve 2021 and a goat curd burnt cheesecake with Kent strawberries and Chapel Down Grand Reserve 2019. View the full menu and book.
Taste of England Chef Series: An Evening with Simon Hulstone of The Elephant, 15th September (from £75)
Simon Hulstone's one-night menu celebrates the seasonality of British produce. Hand-Dived Brixham Scallops with parsnip purée and cured pork fat paired with Chapel Down Brut Reserve 2022; Rump of Exmoor Lamb with caramelised turnip and elderflower vinegar jus paired with Chapel Down Grand Reserve 2019; and a Devon clotted cream mousse with strawberry, Earl Grey and scone paired with Chapel Down Rosé Brut. Book your table.
The wines
The complete Chapel Down wine list is built around traditional-method sparkling wines, elegant stills, a single-vineyard prestige range, and an experimental Discovery Series. Every wine is sold as a six-bottle case (75cl), with most cases priced at £96.
Sparkling wines
Chapel Down's sparkling wine collection is made in the same méthode traditionnelle as Champagne. The headline wines are:
- Brut NV, the best-selling classic, crisp and elegant, six-bottle case £186.
- Rosé NV, Decanter Best in Show and IWC Trophy winner, a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc and Early Pinot Noir with redcurrant, citrus and wild strawberry aromas, six-bottle case £150 (reduced from £204).
- A Touch of Sparkle Classic 2024, A Touch of Sparkle Rosé 2023, and the A Touch of Sparkle Mixed Case, lighter, fruit-led sparkling wines aimed at relaxed entertaining, each six-bottle case £96.
For something special, the magnum and Jeroboam formats are designed to share and make a statement at weddings, parties and corporate events.
Still wines
The still wine collection is anchored by two English classics:
- Bacchus 2025, the new vintage of England's answer to Sauvignon Blanc, with elderflower, grapefruit and tropical fruit on the nose. Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented cool in stainless steel; six months on lees in tank. Six-bottle case £96. Pairs beautifully with fresh seafood.
- Flint Dry 2024, a blend of Chardonnay, Bacchus and Pinot Blanc with green apple, pear and citrus aromatics; six-bottle case £96. Decanter and IWC awarded in 2025.
- Chardonnay 2023, six-bottle case £96.
The rosé wine collection ranges from sparkling pinks to limited-edition Pinot Noir single varietals and the food-friendly English Rosé. For the full white wine portfolio, Chapel Down also produces Discovery Series releases and the prestigious Kit's Coty whites.
Kit's Coty, the prestige single-vineyard range
From the south-facing slopes of the North Downs comes Kit's Coty, a premium collection of multi-award-winning single-varietal wines that push the boundaries of English winemaking. Current releases include the Blanc de Blancs 2014, the Blanc de Blancs 2015 Magnum, and the Kit's Coty Collection. Many of these wines can be aged gracefully for 5 to 10 years.
Discovery Series
The Discovery Series is where the winemaking team experiments with different varieties and styles, releasing small parcels of vibrant, limited-edition wines. The current Discovery Series includes the Pinot Blanc 2022 and the Chardonnay 2022, each sold as a six-bottle case at £156.
Reserve and mixed cases
The Rosé Reserve 2021 is available as a six-bottle case for £240, while the mixed cases and the mix your own case tool make it easy to stock a cellar or curate a present.
Gifts, personalisation and the magazine
The gifts collection covers single and duo gift boxes, magnums and limited-edition releases, with free personalised gift messages available at checkout. The make it personal range lets you add a custom message to Chapel Down Brut, Rosé or a Brut Magnum, ideal for weddings, birthdays and corporate gifting. Wedding buyers can shop the dedicated wedding gifts collection, while businesses can request a tailored package by emailing sales@chapeldown.com or calling 01580 763033.
For instant gifting, e-gift cards are emailed directly to the recipient and can be redeemed online for one year from purchase.
Delivery and customer service
Chapel Down offers free standard delivery on UK mainland orders over £75 (2 to 4 working days). Smaller orders ship for £6.99, and express delivery is £7.99 (1 to 2 working days). International orders can be arranged by contacting the team. For any questions about an order or a visit, the customer and tourism teams are reachable on 01580 766111 or at retail@chapeldown.com.
News and insights
The Chapel Down Journal keeps customers up to date with new releases, awards and what to expect when visiting. Recent highlights include A Double Celebration at Chapel Down (24 July 2026), covering the inaugural WineGB Cellar Door Awards win; Sparkling Wine Styles Explained (22 July 2026); and A Summer Visit to Chapel Down: What You'll See (25 June 2026). The launch of The Hythe, a new premium tasting room unveiled ahead of English Wine Week, was announced on 15 June 2026.
Plan your visit
From the basic guided tour to a five-course tasting menu in The Swan, Chapel Down offers an English wine experience to suit every palate. The estate is just an hour from London, accessible by road and via Headcorn or Ashford International stations, and open to visitors every day of the year. Whether you arrive for a wine flight, a vineyard walk, a special dinner or the inaugural Magnum Festival weekend, raise a glass to the producer that is changing the way the world thinks about English wine.