Chapel Down Group plc (AIM: CDGP), England's leading winemaker, has confirmed the successful close of its oversubscribed Retail Offer, completing a total Capital Raising of approximately £6 million. The Retail Offer, which closed at midday on 9 November 2026, saw 1,162,790 new Ordinary Shares issued at 43 pence per share, raising gross proceeds of approximately £0.5 million. The oversubscription required pro-rata scaling of applications exceeding pre-emption entitlements, while existing shareholders received their full allocation. Proceeds will support construction of a new Soft Pressing facility at Tenterden in Kent and Chapel Down's ambition to capture 1% of global Champagne volumes.

Key Points

  • Chapel Down Group plc (AIM: CDGP) — England's leading winemaker, based in Tenterden, Kent
  • Retail Offer closed oversubscribed on 9 November 2026, issuing 1,162,790 shares at 43p each
  • Total Capital Raising of approximately £6 million across 13,953,487 new Ordinary Shares; AIM admission expected at 8.00 a.m. on 13 November 2026
  • Investors should watch progress on the Tenterden Soft Pressing facility and updates on the company's global Champagne volume target

Chapel Down Raises Approximately £6 Million Through Combined Placing and Oversubscribed Retail Offer

The completed Capital Raising comprises two elements: a placing of 12,790,697 new Ordinary Shares and the Retail Offer of 1,162,790 shares, together totalling 13,953,487 new Ordinary Shares issued at 43 pence each. The aggregate gross proceeds amount to approximately £6 million. The Retail Offer attracted demand exceeding available allocations, with applications from non-shareholders and those exceeding pre-emption entitlements scaled back on a pro-rata basis. The company's total issued share capital following Retail Offer Admission will stand at 185,477,803 Ordinary Shares, each carrying one vote, with no shares held in treasury.

New Soft Pressing Facility at Tenterden to Accelerate Chapel Down's Production Ambitions

Chief Executive Officer James Pennefather stated in the announcement that the proceeds will enable the company to commence work on a new Soft Pressing facility at its Tenterden home in Kent. The company has also articulated a longer-term strategic goal of capturing an equivalent 1% share of global Champagne volumes. Chapel Down currently holds over 1,000 acres of vineyards — approximately 9% of the UK's total — of which 897 acres are described as fully productive. The company's sparkling and still wines regularly receive international awards, and it holds official partnerships with Ascot, the England and Wales Cricket Board, The Jockey Club, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Director Shareholdings Following Retail Offer Admission to AIM on 13 November 2026

Following Retail Offer Admission, directors collectively hold 72,385,145 Ordinary Shares, representing 39.03% of the enlarged share capital. Lord Michael Spencer holds the largest individual stake at 25.53%, comprising shares held through IPGL Limited and in a personal capacity. Nigel Wray holds 12.99%, with the majority of his interest held via family trusts whose beneficiaries are his children. Admission to trading on AIM is anticipated to become effective at 8.00 a.m. on 13 November 2026, subject to conditions including Placing Admission and Retail Offer Admission being satisfied.

Chapel Down's Retail Investor Base and Kent Vineyard Operations Underpin Brand Strategy

Chapel Down counts over 10,000 retail investors who benefit from discounts on wines, tours, and tastings at its Tenterden site, which attracts approximately 50,000 visitors annually. The company describes itself as the lighthouse brand of English wine, positioning the category as the world's newest international wine region. As a founding member of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain, Chapel Down also emphasises sustainable viticulture as a core operational principle. Investors may be watching whether the Tenterden facility investment translates into measurable capacity gains as the company pursues its stated volume targets in an increasingly competitive premium sparkling wine market.