One of England’s leading winemakers, they're on a mission to change the way the world thinks about English wine. At their home in the Garden of England, their world class winemaking team produce award-winning sparkling wines of exceptional quality. Fresh and crisp, they invite you to raise a glass of England’s finest.
The viticulture
Their wines are produced from grapes grown in the South East of England. They own some of the finest vineyards in England, primarily situated on the North Downs of Kent, with a terroir very similar to that of Champagne. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchus vines are grown on south-facing, chalk soils and benefit from a warm, maritime climate. They also source high quality fruit from long-term partner vineyards across Kent, Sussex and Essex, resulting in balanced wines with unique flavour profiles.
Pioneering and market leading
Pioneers of the English wine industry, Chapel Down first planted vines in 1977, and are now the leading English wine producer with over 900 acres of vines across the South East of England. Committed to working in harmony with nature, they are the founding member of Sustainable Wines GB, the category’s leading governing body securing sustainability at the heart of the UK wine industry.
Changing the way the World thinks about English wine
Chapel Down's mission is to change the way the world views English wine. To celebrate 2023 English Wine Week, they took their best-selling sparkling wine to the heart of the Champagne region to see what the locals thought. Under the playful guise of “Chapelle en Bas”, a literal translation of Chapel Down, they invited French consumers to try their Brut alongside a leading Champagne brand in a blind taste test.
The Head Winemaker
The Head Winemaker, Josh Donaghay-Spire was announced as the winner of the ‘Best English Wine’ category in the Drinks Business ‘Master Winemaker 100 Awards’ in 2022. Released each year in recognition of the talents of the world’s finest winemakers, the ‘Master Winemaker 100’ is judged by leading Masters of Wine, including journalists and wine buyers. Josh sits alongside winemaker legends from across the world and has been recognised for 'overseeing vineyards and production for one of the most dynamic names on the English wine scene'.
After completing a BSc in Viticulture & Oenology at Plumpton College, Josh worked at wineries across Europe and the New World before joining Chapel Down as Assistant Winemaker in 2010. Promoted to Head Winemaker in 2013, Josh also became their Operations Director in 2022.
The Wines
Chapel Down Brut NV (sparkling)
A crisp, fresh and elegant English sparkling wine with notes of apple, citrus and strawberry. It is made of a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meurnier and Pinot Blanco.
Chapel Down Bacchus 2023 (still)
A fresh and aromatic wine, with notes of elderflower, grapefruit and melon, made from 100% Bacchus grape. A fabulous alternative to Sauvignon Blanc! Light bodied, crisp and refreshing.
