Chapel Down’s First-Half Net Sales Rose 19% on U.S.-Led International Growth

Chapel Down Group, the English wine producer, said net sales rose 19% in the first half of 2026 as the company expanded in overseas markets and continued to build inventory to support future growth.

In its unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, the company said stock, excluding biological produce, increased to £29.4 million, up 15% from a year earlier. Chapel Down said it had raised inventory levels as part of its growth plans. International revenue rose 66%, with the United States identified as a main driver.

The update points to solid demand for Chapel Down’s wines at a time when premium drinks producers are trying to widen their reach beyond domestic markets. The sharp increase in international sales suggests the company is gaining traction abroad, especially in the U.S., which remains an important target market for higher-end wine brands looking for scale.

The rise in stock is also a closely watched measure in the wine business, where producers often need to carry significant inventory before bottles are ready for sale. A larger stock position can help support future revenue if demand stays firm, but it also means more capital is tied up in the business. For the broader beverages sector, Chapel Down’s results may offer a useful signal on how premium producers are balancing growth, pricing pressure and distribution efficiency, particularly in sparkling wine and other upscale categories.

Chapel Down reported that the inventory figure excluded biological produce, the term companies in the sector use for assets such as grapes on the vine. That distinction matters because it gives a clearer view of finished and maturing stock held for future sales rather than agricultural assets still in production.

The company’s first-half performance comes as English wine makers continue to push for a stronger position in export markets. Growth in the U.S. is especially significant because it can provide access to a much larger customer base than the domestic market, though it also requires investment in distribution, brand building and logistics.

A 19% rise in net sales indicates that Chapel Down was able to increase revenue despite a market environment that remains competitive for wine and other alcoholic drinks. The company did not, in the information released through Investegate, frame the increase as a short-term spike. Instead, the decision to carry more stock suggests it is preparing for continued demand and a broader commercial footprint.

For investors and industry observers, the combination of higher sales, a larger inventory base and strong international growth will likely be read as a sign that Chapel Down is still in expansion mode. In drinks markets, especially premium segments, that mix can point to confidence in future orders and the ability to keep products available across more channels and regions.

The results add to evidence that overseas demand is becoming more important for British wine producers. If that trend continues, companies such as Chapel Down could become a bigger reference point for how smaller domestic producers scale internationally while managing the long production cycles and working-capital demands that are common in wine.