Chapel Down, England's leading wine producer, has today unveiled The Hythe, a new premium tasting room at its winery estate in Tenterden, Kent, alongside the launch of the Kit's Coty Collection Experience, an exclusive new wine tourism experience showcasing its flagship single-vineyard wines.
Launching ahead of English Wine Week (20-28 June), the additions provide visitors with a new way to experience the Garden of England, combining panoramic vineyard views, behind-the-scenes winery access and guided tastings of some of Chapel Down's most celebrated wines.
Located at our brand home in Tenterden, The Hythe is a light-filled room accommodating up to 20 guests, with far reaching views across some of the producer's oldest vineyards, its quintessentially English herb garden and the surrounding Kent countryside.
The new space will host a range of premium tourism experiences, including the newly launched Kit's Coty Collection Experience, as well as private events, corporate away days and shareholder experiences.
Open year-round, guests visiting The Hythe will enjoy exclusive access to the tasting room, its rooftop terrace and the wider herb garden, offering a unique perspective across the estate and wider Kent countryside beyond.
The tasting room takes its name from Small Hythe, the historic hamlet in which the Chapel Down winery is located. Derived from the Old English word for a port or haven, the name is a nod to the area's rich maritime heritage. As recently as the 16th century, the sea reached the foot of the surrounding fields and Small Hythe became one of England's most important shipbuilding regions, building vessels for monarchs including Henry V and Henry VIII.
Centuries later, the area's maritime influence remains an important part of the landscape, helping create the cool-climate conditions that contribute to the freshness, vibrancy and elegance for which Chapel Down's wines are renowned.
To coincide with the opening of The Hythe, we have launched the Kit's Coty Collection Experience, a new luxury wine tourism experience celebrating the producer's acclaimed single-vineyard wines.
Named after Chapel Down's flagship vineyard on the North Downs of Kent, the experience offers guests an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into the viticulture and winemaking behind the Kit's Coty Collection.
Led by a member of our winemaking team, guests will learn about the unique terroir of Kit's Coty before enjoying rare access inside the working winery itself, including the opportunity to taste a tank sample and gain a deeper understanding of the winemaking process.
The experience culminates with a guided tasting held exclusively in The Hythe, featuring a selection of wines from the Kit's Coty Collection, including Kit's Coty Bacchus 2023, Kit's Coty Chardonnay 2023, Kit's Coty Blanc de Blancs 2019, Kit's Coty Blanc de Blancs 2014 and the flagship Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée 2016.
James Pennefather, Chapel Down CEO, said: "The Hythe represents an exciting new chapter for Chapel Down's visitor experience, providing a fitting setting in which to discover English wine while celebrating the rich history of Small Hythe.
The launch of the Kit's Coty Collection Experience alongside The Hythe brings together our most prestigious wines and a stunning new tasting space, offering visitors a unique way to experience the quality, craftsmanship and provenance that define Chapel Down."
The Hythe is the latest addition to Chapel Down's winery estate in Tenterden. Visitors can also enjoy guided tours and tastings, a winery shop, three further tasting rooms and The Swan at Chapel Down, its on-site two AA Rosette restaurant.
Chapel Down welcomes more than 50,000 visitors each year and has been recognised with a VisitEngland Quality Food & Drink Award and Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Award, placing it among the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
The Kit's Coty Collection Experience joins Chapel Down's portfolio of tourism experiences, which start from £30 per person and attract visitors from across the UK and beyond.
The Kit's Coty Collection Experience is priced at £50 per person and is available to book now by clicking here.
