Chapel Down toasts to future success with its best harvest and highest quality fruit yet
English winemaker Chapel Down toasted prolonged profits today as it announced its most successful harvest yet.
The Kent-based winery said although yields were down from expectations, it was still the company's third largest harvest, producing the highest ever quality grapes.
Frazer Thompson, chief executive, said he is excited about the potential for higher-quality wines created by the harvest, which he said will keep the company's momentum moving forward. This follows profitable crops in both 2015 and 2014.
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The winegrowers said the grapes have an outstanding level of ripeness, a perfect balance of acidity and intense flavour development.
Chapel Down Wine's year-on-year sales were up 14 per cent, and wine gross profit was up 18 per cent for the six months ended 30 June, the group said in September.
The company also announced a new partnership with luxury wine and spirit company ABCK Corp to distribute its sparkling wine to the US for the first time.