Chapel Down Wines - England's Leading Sparkling Wine Producer in Kent
Set in the rolling Kent countryside just outside the picturesque market town of Tenterden, Chapel Down has earned its reputation as England's leading sparkling wine producer. From chalk-soil vineyards to a state-of-the-art winery, the estate offers a complete English wine experience: award-winning bottles, guided tours, gourmet dining, and a calendar of festivals and chef collaborations that put it firmly on the UK's wine tourism map.
A Home in the Garden of England
Chapel Down is located in the village of Small Hythe, only an hour from London and within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The winery estate sits at the heart of some of England's most celebrated vineyard land, where chalk, clay and loam soils - together with a cool maritime climate - create ideal conditions for the classic Champagne grape varieties and the aromatic Bacchus.
To ensure consistent top-quality fruit, Chapel Down sources grapes from a collection of vineyards across Kent, Sussex and Essex. Predominantly grown on single and double Guyot pruning systems, the fruit is the foundation of both the sparkling and still wine programmes. The result is a portfolio that combines traditional method bubbles with vibrant English stills, all stamped with a clear sense of place.
The Sparkling Wine Range
Chapel Down's sparkling wines are made using the méthode traditionnelle - the same process used in Champagne - and the range has won trophies in some of the toughest competitions in the world.
Brut NV
The estate's flagship bottle and a benchmark for English sparkling wine. A classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc, the Brut is crisp, elegant and built to complement celebrations and seafood alike. It is available as a six-bottle case at £186.00, with a trio pack at £93.00 and a gift-boxed single bottle at £35.00.
Rosé
The bestselling Chapel Down Rosé is a multi-award winner - including Decanter Best in Show and the IWC Gold Trophy - and was recently praised by Fabric Magazine as "light, floral and effortlessly elegant." A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc and Early Pinot Noir, it offers redcurrant, citrus and wild strawberry notes. A six-bottle case is currently £150.00 (down from £204.00), with a Rosé Trio at £102.00 and a gift-boxed single at £38.00.
Grand Reserve 2019
Chapel Down's premium vintage sparkling, the Grand Reserve 2019 is a six-bottle case at £288.00. A trio pack is £144.00, with a gift-boxed single bottle at £52.00. It also appears in duo gift boxes paired with Brut (£85.00), Rosé Reserve (£94.00) or Kit's Coty Blanc de Blancs (£120.00).
Rosé Reserve 2021
A more concentrated, wine-led take on the Rosé style, the 2021 Reserve comes as a six-bottle case at £240.00, a trio at £120.00, or a gift-boxed single at £44.00.
Other Sparkling Bottles
The sparkling portfolio also includes the A Touch of Sparkle Classic 2024 and A Touch of Sparkle Rosé 2023 (both £96.00 per six-bottle case), A Touch of English Rosé Mixed Case (£96.00), the Royal Ascot Edition (£240.00, six-bottle case) and the Trophy-winning Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée 2016, from £126.00 single bottle up to £756.00 for the six-bottle case.
The Still Wine Range
Chapel Down's still wines are increasingly recognised as some of the most expressive bottlings in the country, balancing fruit, freshness and an unmistakable English character.
Bacchus 2025
Hailed as England's answer to Sauvignon Blanc, the new vintage Bacchus 2025 is crisp, fresh and bursting with elderflower, grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas. Made from hand-picked grapes whole-bunch pressed and fermented cool in stainless steel, it is best served at 8 - 12°C and pairs beautifully with seafood. A six-bottle case is £96.00; the standalone bottle is £16.00.
Chardonnay 2023
A six-bottle case is £96.00, offering a more structured, gently toasted English Chardonnay ideal for poultry and creamy dishes.
Flint Dry 2024
One of the newer additions to the still portfolio, Flint Dry 2024 is sold as a six-bottle case at £96.00 and is widely used by the chef team at The Swan.
English Rose 2025
The newly unveiled 2025 vintage of English Rose, in an elegant new design, captures the essence of summer with notes of strawberries, raspberries and cream and a crisp, refreshing finish. A six-bottle case is £96.00, with the bottle also available individually at £16.00 and as part of the Mix Your Own Case selection.
Discovery Series
The Discovery Series is where Chapel Down's winemakers experiment with new varieties, blends and techniques. Bottlings are limited in volume and frequently sell out. Current releases include the Discovery Series Tenterden Bacchus 2022, Discovery Series Pinot Blanc 2022 and Discovery Series Chardonnay 2022, each sold as a six-bottle case at £156.00. The Discovery Series Mixed Trio is £78.00 and the Discovery Series Mixed Case is £130.00.
Kit's Coty - The Prestige Collection
Kit's Coty is the pinnacle of Chapel Down's winemaking. Sourced from a single south-facing vineyard on the North Downs, the wines are limited-edition, single-varietal expressions of Kent's chalk soils and sunny microclimate.
Key Bottlings
• Kit's Coty Blanc de Blancs 2019 - six-bottle case at £396.00
• Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée 2016 - six-bottle case at £756.00, single bottle at £126.00
• Kit's Coty Chardonnay 2023 - six-bottle case at £216.00
• Kit's Coty Bacchus 2023 - six-bottle case at £216.00
• Kit's Coty Blanc de Blancs 2014 (limited re-release) - six-bottle case at £600.00
• Kit's Coty Estate Blanc de Blancs 2015 Magnum - £142.00
• Kit's Coty Flagship Case - six-bottle case at £276.00
• Kit's Coty Mixed Still - six-bottle case at £216.00
These wines are designed to age 5 - 10 years and are presented as an ideal gift for collectors and connoisseurs.
Personalised Wines, Gifts and Big Formats
Personalised Bottles
Chapel Down's personalised wine service allows a custom message, name or special-occasion label to be added to the most popular sparkling and rosé bottles. Personalised Lead Time is 2 - 4 working days, and bulk orders are available via sales@chapeldown.com. Pricing starts at £45.00 for the Personalised Brut in a gift box, £48.00 for the Personalised Rosé, £77.00 for the Personalised Brut Magnum and From £83.00 for the Personalised Rosé Magnum.
Gift Boxes
The gift collection includes the Brut and Gift Box (£35.00), Rosé and Gift Box (£38.00), Grand Reserve 2019 and Gift Box (£52.00), Rosé Reserve 2021 and Gift Box (£44.00), Kit's Coty Blanc de Blancs 2019 in Gift Box (£70.00) and Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée 2016 and Gift Box (£130.00). A new generation of duo gift boxes - pairing two Chapel Down favourites - starts at £71.00 for the Brut and Rosé in a Gift Box.
Magnums and Jeroboams
For celebrations that demand scale, the Magnum and Jeroboam range includes the Brut Magnum at £67.00, the Personalised Brut Magnum at £77.00, the Brut Magnum and Gift Box at £77.00, the Kit's Coty Estate Blanc de Blancs 2015 Magnum at £142.00, the Rosé Magnum from £73.00, the Personalised Rosé Magnum from £83.00, the Grand Reserve 2018 Magnum from £100.00, and the Brut NV Jeroboam (3L) at £185.00.
Wedding and Corporate Gifting
Chapel Down specialises in wedding and corporate gifting, offering multi-shipping within a single transaction, free personalised gift messages, and a downloadable corporate brochure. The team can be reached at sales@chapeldown.com or on 01580 763033.
Mixed Cases and Discovery Sets
Beyond the named collections, the Chapel Down shop offers an extensive range of curated mixed cases for those who want to explore the full portfolio. Highlights include:
- English Sparkling Intro Case - £210.00
- Sparkling Best Sellers - £162.00
- Favourites Case - £129.00
- Rosé Lovers Case - £180.00
- Premium Stills Mixed Case (8 bottles) - £128.00
- Award Winners Case - £313.00
- Mix Your Own Case - a 6- or 12-bottle case picked from the full range of sparkling, white, rosé and sparkling rosé wines
- E-Gift Cards - instantly redeemable, from £25.00
Visit the Tenterden Estate
The Chapel Down winery estate is open to visitors throughout the year. The Cellar Door shop showcases the full range of still and sparkling wines, all available to sample from the on-site tasting bar. The shop is open every day from 10am to 5pm.
Visitors arriving by car will find designated disabled parking bays closest to the cellar door entrance, level accessible routes throughout the site (apart from the Swan Restaurant, which is accessed via a flight of 36 stairs), two accessible toilets, a manual wheelchair available on request, and assistance dogs are welcome. The nearest mainline stations are Headcorn and Ashford International.
Tours and Experiences
Chapel Down offers a tiered programme of tours, from a relaxed walk-in wine flight to a full luxury fine-dining experience.
- Walk-In Wine Flight - From £15.00 per person. Drop in between 10am and 5pm and choose any three wines from the full range (excluding Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée).
- Guided Tour and Tasting - From £30.00 per person, approximately 2 hours. A guided vineyard tour and tutored tasting of five signature wines.
- The Kit's Coty Collection Tour - From £50.00 per person, approximately 2 hours. A tour of the Tenterden vineyard, a behind-the-scenes winery talk with the Senior Cellar Hand, and a tutored tasting of Kit's Coty still and sparkling wines, including the Coeur de Cuvée 2016.
- Cheese and Wine Experience - From £70.00 per person, approximately 2 hours. Vineyard tour, tutored tasting of five signature wines paired with local cheeses and artisanal crackers, plus a £10 gift voucher for the winery shop.
- Wine and Dine Experience - From £120.00 per person, approximately 4 hours. Guided tour, tutored tasting of five wines, a three-course set lunch at The Swan, and two glasses of Chapel Down still wine with the meal.
- Luxury Dining Experience - From £150.00 per person, approximately 5 hours. Early-evening vineyard tour, tutored tasting of five luxury wines, and a five-course tasting menu at The Swan with two glasses of Chapel Down still wine.
Bookings for tours can be made through the Tours & Experiences programme, and gift vouchers are available for those who want to give the experience.
The Swan Restaurant
On the estate, The Swan is a two AA Rosette restaurant serving Chapel Down's award-winning wines alongside locally and regionally sourced produce. The 80-cover restaurant boasts a private dining Chef's Table and an outdoor terrace with sweeping views across the county. The Swan is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
What's On in the Vineyard
Chapel Down's calendar is busy with festivals, chef collaborations and lifestyle events throughout the year.
Taste of England Chef Series: An Evening with Ethan Pack (4 August 2026)
From £75.00 per person. One of three winners of Chapel Down's nationwide Taste of England campaign, Ethan Pack of Three Sheets takes over the kitchen at The Swan for one evening only. The three-course menu includes Sweetcorn sautéed in Bone Marrow and Black Emulsion, Pork Fillet with Sauerkraut and Oyster Cream, and a Goat Curd Burnt Cheesecake with Kentish strawberries - each course paired with a Chapel Down sparkling wine.
Around the World in 80 Days (9 August 2026)
From £18.00 per person. An open-air theatrical show inspired by Jules Verne's classic, featuring actor-musicians, live music and an evening of riotous storytelling. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets; drinks and light nibbles are available, and guests may bring their own food.
Sunset Yoga (26 August 2026)
From £35.00 per person. A one-hour yoga session - vineyard-side if the weather allows - followed by a one-hour tutored tasting of five wines in the Wine Sanctuary. Guests bring their own yoga mat.
Chapel Down Magnum Festival (5 - 6 September 2026)
From £35.00 per person. The inaugural Magnum Festival is a celebration of bigger bottles, bigger celebrations and bigger experiences. Across the weekend, the estate will host live music, food from Kent's leading restaurants and producers, bars serving Chapel Down award-winning wines and exclusive Magnum Masterclasses. Saturday 5 September runs 12pm - 8pm; Sunday 6 September runs 12pm - 6pm. Tickets include estate entry, a glass of Chapel Down Brut served from magnum, live entertainment, and either a complimentary return coach transfer from Headcorn Station or free parking.
Taste of England Chef Series: An Evening with Simon Hulstone (15 September 2026)
From £75.00 per person. Simon Hulstone of The Elephant Restaurant, Torquay, takes over The Swan kitchen with a three-course menu celebrating British seasonal produce. Highlights include Hand-Dived Brixham Scallops with Cured Pork Fat, Rump of Exmoor Lamb with Elderflower Vinegar Jus, and a Devon Clotted Cream Mousse reimagining of a cream tea, each paired with Chapel Down sparkling wines.
Recent News and Recognition
Chapel Down was named Best Large Cellar Door at the inaugural WineGB Cellar Door Awards, and the Grand Reserve 2019 has continued to feature in trophy-winning line-ups. The summer of 2026 also saw the unveiling of The Hythe, a new premium tasting room at the winery, launched ahead of English Wine Week as part of a broader investment in luxury wine tourism.
Planning Your Visit
Chapel Down is at Small Hythe Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 7NG. The site is best reached by car, with Headcorn and Ashford International stations serving as the main public transport connections. The winery shop is open every day from 10am to 5pm. Bookings for tours and experiences are arranged through the Tours & Events service, and the tourism team can be contacted at retail@chapeldown.com or 01580 766111 for any visitor enquiries.
For corporate gifting, weddings and bulk orders, the dedicated team can be reached at sales@chapeldown.com or on 01580 763033.
Whether you're looking to taste a trophy-winning English sparkling wine, gift a personalised magnum, dine at The Swan, or simply spend a weekend wandering among the vines, Chapel Down is one of the most complete wine destinations in England.