Chapel Down Group, the market leader in English wines, has raised more than £4.3 million as part of a major fundraising and financial restructuring project overseen by Vertex Law.
The award-winning wine and beer producer, which is based in Tenterden, called on Vertex Law’s Commercial Team to manage a series of complex and interlinking transactions involving share sales, loan note conversions and an acquisition.
Chapel Down Group raised the money through the issue of 25 million shares on the ISDX market.
The Group also took sole ownership of Curious Drinks Limited after buying the remaining 30 per cent of the company that it did not hold from three minority shareholders. These shareholders used the proceeds of the acquisition to exercise share options in Chapel Down Group.
Salim Somjee, a partner in the Corporate Team at the Kent-based Vertex Law, said: “One of our specialist sectors is food and drink, so we were delighted to work alongside one of the most exciting drinks brands in the country.
“We are pleased to have helped Chapel Down Group. Managing such a process requires the careful planning and corporate expertise we excel in at Vertex. We wish them all the very best with their expansion plans and look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Richard Woodhouse, Chief Operating Officer at Chapel Down Group, said: “The £4.35 million we’ve raised marks a step change for the business – we can increase our wine making capacity and invest in further vineyard acreage and scaling up our beer production.
“These transactions needed to be placed in the hands of a legal adviser we could trust to deliver in an fast, efficient and professional manner. Well done Vertex Law, you delivered.”
Frazer Thompson, Chief Executive of Chapel Down wines, added: “Demand for our wines continues to grow, both in the UK and internationally. We are especially proud our wines have been recognised with three Gold Awards at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Our Curious Brew range of beers continues to be a sell-out, so part of the funds raised will allow us to establish our own brewery in Kent shortly”
“The Chapel Down story is gaining pace ¬– more award-winning wines, further acreage and expanded production facilities, including our own brewery.”