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UK wine producer Chapel Down could be sold as financing evaluation introduced

Britain's greatest red wine manufacturer Chapel Down is considering putting itself up for sale as part of an evaluation into options to fund its future growth as it prepares to plant brand-new vineyards and develop a brand-new winery, it said on Tuesday.

As part of the evaluation, the board will think about all options, consisting of investment from existing investors, investment from new investors, a sale of the company, and other appropriate deals, the company stated.

Its shares on Britain's junior goal market closed on Monday at 65.5 cent, offering it a market value of 112 million pounds ($ 142 million).

Established in 2002, Chapel Down is based in Kent, southeast England, and has actually grown into Britain's best-known and largest producer with last year's harvest expected to make about 3.4 million bottles of gleaming and still red wines.

While England's white wine industry is still small scale, temperatures warmed by climate change have in current years offered much better growing conditions for grapes, and there is enhancing demand for regional fizz in the home market.

The quality of the wines being produced in England has also brought in international interest.

Taittinger and Pommery, 2 of France's best-known Champagne homes, have actually purchased land and planted vines in England, while the world's biggest champagne company, Henkell Freixenet, acquired an English white wine estate, Bolney, in 2022.

There can be no certainty that a deal will be pursued by the company, nor regarding the regards to any ultimate deal, Chapel Down stated in a statement.

The business stated that Rothschild & & Co was acting as the lead monetary consultant in relation to the tactical review.

After posting profits of 18 million pounds ($ 23 million) for 2023, the company stated it was on track for double-digit sales growth in 2024 and included it had a strong balance sheet with headroom on its debt center of 12 million pounds and an offer to extend this facility.

(source: Reuters)