Kentish Express Ashford & District
Award-winning winemaker set to break into US market
The winemaker Chapel Down, which supplied bubbly to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is to set to launch its fizz in the USA.
The Tenterden-based company will ship 10,000 bottles across the pond before the end of the year after signing a partnering deal with ABCK Corp.
A charm offensive has been launched by bosses, with chief executive Frazer Thompson due to host a launch party next month at the residence of New York British Consulate General, Antonia Romeo, followed by a tour across key states.
The announcement has been hailed by the new Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and former Tory leadership contender Andrea Leadsom.
She said: “There is no doubt there is a global thirst for our wine and this latest milestone from Chapel Down is further proof of the opportunities in the US for our top class producers.
“Thanks to the innovation and hard work of our wine growers, the English wine industry is going from strength to strength with production more than doubling in the last five years.”
Chapel Down, which has vineyards in Tenterden, Blue Bell Hill and the Weald, said it chose to work with ABCK thanks to its experience and success in the luxury wine sector.
It became the first English wine producer to be featured on the London Stock Exchange’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain list this year and has won multiple awards.
It has also grabbed headlines for a successful crowdfunding campaign to build a brewery in Ashford for its Curious Brew lager.
Chapel Down managing director Mark Harvey said: “There is a genuine sense of excitement amongst sommeliers, great restaurants and bars and high-quality retailers about the significant opportunity that lies ahead for English sparkling wines.
“We are looking forward to getting started.”
‘There is no doubt there is a global thirst for our wine’