Chapel Down takes aim at Moet with plans for new Canterbury winery
Kentish winemaker Chapel Down is planning to relocate its operations to a site near Canterbury in a move it hopes will see it overtake well-known Moet in the UK.
The move would allow Chapel Down to massively increase production, reaching nine million bottles per year by 2032 from the 1.5 million bottles it currently produces.
The new site, at Canterbury Business Park in Highland Court Farm, would cover an area equivalent to 20 football pitches in farmland, consisting of vineyards and buildings to make the wine in, creating hundreds of jobs once complete.
The wider application would also see the building of units for food and drink related companies, creating a hub for the industry.
The business park already houses a range of businesses and artisans as well as an events venue, and its bosses are said to be supporting Chapel Down in developing its scheme.
With demand for its wines increasing, Chapel Down sees the move as necessary to continue its growth, with its current Tenterden site unable to accommodate further expansion.
Speaking to KentOnline, Chapel Down’s operations manager and head of wine, Josh Donaghay-Spire, said: "With our plans to have over 900 acres under vine by next spring, this winery will allow us to produce more wine from the excellent Kent terroir which we are discovering with every vintage that passes and every vineyard we plant."
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The south-east of England is increasingly becoming the UK’s wine hotspot, with more than half of the UK’s planted vineyards located here.
The company is currently planning to maintain its presence in Tenterden, with the possibility of focusing its site there on attracting visitors and tourists.
Keli Nolan-Lyons, Tenterden's town and business co-ordinator, said: "I think it’s a great sign that they’re expanding, and I think it goes to show how much Tenterden and the borough of Ashford is really an integral heartbeat of English wine.
“It is an industry that is going from strength to strength. It’s a massive tourism pull for this corner of the country, so if they’re expanding, great.
“We love that Tenterden is clearly displayed on their branding. It’s such a draw to the town and I think if their Tenterden site will now change to focus on being a tourist destination it could work out as a plus for the town. We wish them the best of luck with the expansion.”
Chapel Down is having a successful year. Last month (October) the company reported its largest ever grape yield, informing the London Stock Exchange this will result in a record production of 2 million bottles of wine this year, further evidence of the need for a move to larger premises.
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Featured image credit: Chapel Down.
