Chapel Down Wines & Kit's Coty Vineyard: England's Leading Wine Producer in Kent
Set deep in the rolling Kent countryside, just outside the market town of Tenterden, Chapel Down is widely regarded as England's leading wine producer. Its mission is to change the way the world thinks about English wine, and with shelves of Trophy and Gold medals, an ever-growing range of traditional method sparkling wines, and a flagship premium range drawn from the celebrated Kit's Coty Vineyard, the team has the credentials to back that ambition up.
The estate welcomes visitors year-round for tours and tastings at cellar-door prices, while the flagship Kit's Coty range demonstrates just how seriously English winemaking can be taken today.
Where Chapel Down is based
Chapel Down's home estate sits in the heart of the Garden of England, close to Tenterden on the edge of the Weald. The mild, dry microclimate of the south-east, combined with chalk-influenced soils reminiscent of the Champagne region, has helped establish the area as one of the most exciting cool-climate wine regions in the world. The estate is open to visitors throughout the year, with tours, tastings, a cellar door shop, and the on-site Swan Restaurant.
Getting there and visiting
The visitor centre at the winery is the starting point for tours, tastings, and wine purchases at cellar-door prices. Located in Tenterden, Kent, the estate is well placed for combining a tasting with a weekend break in the surrounding countryside.
The Kit's Coty Vineyard
Just a short drive from the main winery, Kit's Coty is Chapel Down's most prized single-vineyard site. Sitting on the famous chalky slopes of the North Downs, it produces small parcels of intensely flavoured fruit that form the backbone of the Kit's Coty range. These multi-award-winning, single varietal wines are designed to push the boundaries of English winemaking.
The Kit's Coty range is widely regarded as Chapel Down's flagship tier. Vintage Kit's Coty bottles can age beautifully for five years or more, making them a genuine cellaring prospect - a rare thing for English wine.
The Wines
Across sparkling, still, rosé and mixed-case collections, Chapel Down offers an extensive portfolio, with seasonal favourites sitting alongside the year-round ranges. All are available to buy online.
Sparkling Wines
The sparkling wine collection is the heart of the business. All sparkling wines are made using the méthode traditionnelle - the same secondary fermentation in the bottle used in Champagne - producing fine, persistent bubbles and a creamy texture.
- Brut - Chapel Down's signature blend, priced at £186 per six-bottle case. A bestseller and the estate's most popular sparkling wine.
- A Touch of Sparkle Classic 2024 - A more accessible sparkling at £96 per case, a perennial bestseller and a great everyday introduction.
- A Touch of Sparkle Rosé 2023 - Rosé expression of the Touch of Sparkle range, £96 per six-bottle case.
- A Touch of Sparkle Mixed Case - A mixed selection of Touch of Sparkle bottles, £96 per case.
Still and Rosé Wines
The still wines and dedicated white and rosé collections showcase the cooler-climate aromatics that English wine does best.
- Rosé - A standout summer release with vibrant notes of citrus, strawberry and redcurrant; six-bottle case priced at £150.
- Bacchus 2025 - The latest vintage of Chapel Down's beloved Bacchus, bursting with elderflower, grapefruit and tropical fruit; £96 per case.
- Flint Dry 2024 - A bright English still with green apple, pear and citrus notes, lively acidity and a long, refreshing finish.
- Chardonnay 2023 - A still English Chardonnay priced at £96 per six-bottle case.
Mixed Cases and Discovery
For those wanting to sample more of the range, the mixed selections include curated cases such as the A Touch of English Rosé Mixed Case at £96. The Discovery Series is the natural starting point for new customers.
Magnums and Jeroboams
Large-format magnums and jeroboams are particularly popular at weddings and milestone celebrations, where the slower ageing curve of larger formats brings extra complexity.
Gifts, Personalisation and Occasions
Chapel Down has invested heavily in its gifting offer. The gifts collection leads to gift-boxed bottles, wedding gifts and a corporate gifting programme. The personalised wine collection adds bespoke labels, and a mix-your-own-case tool lets buyers build a custom selection of six bottles. E-gift cards are also available.
Seasonal case deals and promotional bundles are a regular feature, including savings on sparkling rosé.
Tours and Experiences
Tours and experiences sit at the heart of any visitor trip. Three signature experiences are available, with the full calendar bookable online. Tour gift cards can also be purchased, redeemable against future bookings.
Guided Tour & Tasting
The Guided Tour & Tasting is the flagship experience. Visitors walk through the vineyards and winery with a guide, learning about the vineyard cycle, the English grape harvest and the intricate process of traditional method sparkling wine production. The tasting that follows showcases the core Chapel Down range.
Cheese & Wine Experience
The Cheese & Wine Experience is aimed squarely at food and wine lovers, pairing Chapel Down wines with a carefully chosen cheese board.
Wine and Dine Experience
The most premium on-site experience is the Wine and Dine Experience. It begins with a guided tour of the vineyards and winery followed by a tutored tasting of an extended range of wines. Guests then head up to the Swan restaurant for a glass of sparkling wine and a three-course set lunch, before taking home a Chapel Down gift set.
Beyond Tenterden
Chapel Down also runs a satellite programme called Chapel Down Goes to Town, taking tastings and pop-ups into urban venues, alongside a corporate experiences programme for team-building and client hospitality.
Events
The headline event on the calendar is the Chapel Down Magnum Festival, scheduled for Saturday 5 September and Sunday 6 September 2026, with tickets available from the Chapel Down shop. Beyond the festival, the tour calendar runs regular tastings, and The Swan restaurant hosts lunches and dinners year-round.
Weddings and Accommodation
The estate is a popular wedding venue, with options from the wedding gifts collection for couples. On-site accommodation makes it easy to extend the visit into a weekend.
Cellar Door Award and The Hythe
In July 2026 Chapel Down announced a double celebration: it won Best Large Cellar Door at the inaugural WineGB Cellar Door Awards, alongside a Grand award for its wines. The same month it unveiled The Hythe, a new premium tasting room at the winery, designed to coincide with English Wine Week and broaden the luxury wine experience available on site. Visitors from mid-2026 onwards can expect a refreshed cellar door experience.
Behind the Brand
Chapel Down is a publicly listed company (Chapel Down Group plc), with investor materials covering directors, results and governance: Investors, Our Directors, Results & Announcements, Governance & Sustainability and AIM Rule 26. Shareholders also have access to a dedicated shareholder hub with benefits and discounts.
Sustainability
Environmental commitments are central to Chapel Down's operations, with programmes in place across vineyards, packaging and production. Note that the wines are not currently suitable for vegans or vegetarians because of the fining processes used.
Delivery, Returns and Service
Chapel Down delivers across mainland UK, with international orders by enquiry. Delivery is free on UK mainland orders over £75, £6.99 for standard delivery under that threshold, and £7.99 for express. A free personalised gift message service can be added at the basket stage.
Social Media
Chapel Down is active on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter) and LinkedIn. Visitor feedback on the experience can be found at the Chapel Down TripAdvisor listing.
FAQs at a Glance
- How long does sparkling wine keep? Non-vintage sparkling is best within 2 - 3 years; Kit's Coty vintages can age for 5+ years.
- Are Chapel Down wines vegan? No - the fining process means they are not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
- What pairs with Chapel Down sparkling? Seafood, poultry and lighter vegetarian dishes.
- Do they ship abroad? UK mainland only as standard; international orders are by enquiry.
Final Verdict
Chapel Down is not just a winery; it is the bellwether for the entire English wine category. With the Kit's Coty single-vineyard range demonstrating just how seriously it takes premium English winemaking, a calendar of cellar-door tours, a Swan restaurant on site, the annual Magnum Festival, and a polished online shop with case discounts and personalised labels, it is the easiest place in England to explore what English wine can do today.
Whether you are tasting a new Bacchus release, cellaring a Kit's Coty vintage, or booking a Wine and Dine Experience at the Swan, Chapel Down remains the benchmark.