Winemaker eyes vodkas and gins

Chapel Down, England’s biggest winemaker, is to launch its first gin and vodka products as it looks to expand its offering.

The Kent-based group said it has produced its Bacchus Gin and Chardonnay Vodka using grapes from its 2016 harvest and has inked a deal to sell the drinks through Majestic Wine. The group booked a 22 per cent rise in halfyear sales to £5 million.