H1 2026 Trading Update
Chapel Down Group Plc reported strong double-digit growth for the first half of 2026, with net sales revenue increasing by 19% to £9.4 million, driven by robust performance across all sales channels. Off-trade and on-trade sales both grew by 18%, while international sales surged by 66% to £0.8 million, bolstered by expansion in the US market. Direct to consumer revenue rose 4% to £2.5 million. Net debt increased to £14.0 million, in line with expectations, and the company secured an extended revolving credit facility of £25 million. The premiumisation strategy is progressing well, with Traditional Method Sparkling now representing 74% of wine net sales revenue. The company remains confident in delivering full-year results in line with market expectations of £22.1 million in net sales revenue and £3.7 million in Adjusted EBITDA.
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Chapel Down, England's leading winemaker, is pleased to report the delivery of strong double-digit growth for the six month period ended 30th June 2026 ("H1 2026"), materially ahead of prior year.
Financial highlights
| ● | The Group delivered H1 net sales revenue (" NSR ") growth of +19% to £9.4m (H1 2025: £7.9m), in line with management expectations, reflecting continued progress across all channels. |
o Off-trade NSR increased +18% to £4.4m, with Chapel Down further extending its category leadership position in the English Sparkling Wine category which saw strong double digit growth in period¹. o On-trade NSR grew +18% to £1.5m, with distribution growth of 6% to 2,750 unique outlets (H1 2025: 2,597). o International NSR grew +66% to £0.8m. The Group's US partnership with leading independent winemaker Jackson Family Wines is gaining traction, with Chapel Down now present in 31 states and a new listing secured in 250 Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. The Group ended the period trading in 19 international markets (H1 2025: 16). o Direct to Consumer NSR grew +4% to £2.5m, with a gain of 3,838 new customers on our own brand website in the period, and an increase to 63% (H1 2025: 62%) in our returning customer rate.
| ● | Net debt increased to £14.0m (FY 2025: £12.4m; H1 2025: £11.3m) in line with expectations and the Company's disciplined capital allocation policy. During H1, the Group extended its Revolving Credit Facility from £20m to £25m, with a further £5m accordion option remaining to extend the facility to £30m. The facility has ample headroom for continued investment in maturing stocks to underpin future growth. |
| Operational highlights | |
| ● | We have made good progress in our premiumisation strategy, with Traditional Method Sparkling now making up 74% of wine NSR (H1 2025: 70%). Chapel Down's price index against Champagne was maintained at 92%¹. |
| ● | The Chapel Down brand has continued to grow its reach, with new partnerships signed with The Jockey Club (including being the official English Sparkling Wine at Cheltenham, Epsom and Newmarket racecourses) and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and we renewed our partnership with Ascot for another 3 years. Sales at Royal Ascot this year were exceptional due to increased visibility and the launch of the Rosé Magnum, with +45% value growth in consumer sales compared with 2025. |
| ● | Brand awareness continues to be the highest amongst English Sparkling Wine brands at 46% (H1 2025: 46%), reaffirming Chapel Down's position as the lighthouse brand in English Wine 2 . |
| ● | Chapel Down continues to receive international recognition for its high quality wines, with 9 prestigious Gold awards being received during H1 across Decanter, IWSC, WineGB, IWC and other competitions. |
| ● | Our Brand Home in Tenterden has benefited from the opening of the new Hythe tasting room and has increased its TripAdvisor rating to 4.8 (H1 2025: 4.7) with over 1,000 5-star reviews, the highest of any English vineyard. |
| ● | The Company's enhanced marketing initiatives on proven growth drivers (as announced on 29 January 2026) have, to date, proven to be a success in driving sales across all channels and are resulting in continued profitable growth at an operational level. |
| Outlook | |
| ● | Weather conditions in Kent during the 2026 growing season have been variable, with a late frost in May followed by warm, sunny conditions. The Board's current expectation is that the overall yield (tonnes per acre) will be broadly in line with the 5-year average and the Board will provide an update closer to harvest time once there is more visibility on harvest yields and outlook for the non-cash Fair Value adjustment on Biological Produce. |
| ● | The Board remains focused on delivering strong double-digit growth and is confident in the Company delivering FY26 full-year results in line with market expectations 3 . |
James Pennefather, CEO, commented: "Chapel Down's strong momentum in 2025 has continued into 2026 with +19% topline growth in H1, as we took market share in a growing category. We continue to be encouraged by the positive market dynamics we are seeing in the UK: increased adoption by Millennials and the continued expansion of high value sparkling occasions away from their historic heartland of formal celebration occasions. Significant progress is being made in the US, where consumers are embracing the crisp, fresh style of sparkling wine that is our signature. With 1,000 acres of vineyards in Kent, Chapel Down has established itself as the leading brand in this exciting emerging category, and we remain confident that this provides a strong foundation for continued double digit growth. "
Note 1: Chapel Down sparkling wine growth was +20% compared to English Sparkling Wine category growth at +15%. Chapel Down remains the market leader in the English Sparkling Wine category with 37% market share across the Off-trade channel (H1 2025: 35%). Price index compares the average selling price of Champagne category with Chapel Down Traditional Method Sparkling wines. Source: NIQ UK Off Trade Sparkling Wines - MAT to 13/06/2026.
Note 2: Source - Savanta BrandVue June 2026. 12 month rolling.
Note 3: Immediately before publication of this announcement, the Board believes that market expectations for the year ending 31 December 2026 to be net sales revenue of £22.1m and Adjusted EBITDA (excluding fair value adjustment to biological produce) of £3.7m.
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