English winemaker Chapel Down has announced a significant strategic overhaul under new leadership, aiming to capture a 1% share of the global champagne market by 2035. The Kent-based company, led by chief executive James Pennefather and newly appointed non-executive chair Michael Spencer, has redefined its medium-term priorities to focus on boosting brand value, expanding international distribution, and ensuring disciplined capital management. This shift comes as the company navigates a challenging period for the English wine industry, marked by slowing demand and adverse weather conditions.

As part of its strategic reset, Chapel Down has scrapped plans to build a £32 million winery in Canterbury, a move expected to save significant capital expenditure. Pennefather emphasized that canceling the long-planned site will not impact the company's growth targets, which include targeting the world's top 10 champagne markets. Currently, Chapel Down has a presence in only five countries, but it plans to expand its footprint through agreements with top travel retailers, leveraging its 35% market share of sparkling wine sales in UK supermarkets and other retailers.

The company's international push is set against a backdrop of mixed financial performance. In the six months to the end of June, Chapel Down's revenues grew 11% to £7.9 million, with gross profit increasing 7% to £3.7 million. However, net debt rose to £11.3 million, up from £5.8 million in the same period last year, reflecting increased investment in vineyards and maturing stock. Adjusted earnings also declined by 23% to around £1.2 million in the first half, attributed to lower non-cash fair value adjustments, though the company remains on track for a return to profitability by the end of 2025.

Despite recent challenges, including the second-worst harvest on record for English winemakers in 2023 due to wet weather and disease, Chapel Down is optimistic about its prospects. Pennefather noted that better weather this year has aided recovery, and retail sales value of the company's sparkling wines continues to grow at 12% annually. With the global champagne market valued at $7.19 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $9.83 billion by 2030, Chapel Down's ambitious target underscores its confidence in competing on the world stage, even as the UK wine industry grapples with plateauing sales and evolving consumer tastes.

Kilcoo secured their place in Down football history on Sunday, capturing an unprecedented seventh consecutive Senior Football Championship title with a 1-17 to 1-11 victory over Carryduff at Pairc Esler. The Magpies delivered their strongest performance of the championship when it mattered most, with Paul Devlin's first-half penalty goal providing crucial separation in a hard-fought contest that saw the throw-in time pushed back to 5pm following a pitch inspection.

The match, originally scheduled for 3:30pm, saw Kilcoo demonstrate the championship experience that has defined their remarkable 12-title run over 13 seasons. Devlin's 22nd-minute penalty strike down the middle proved decisive, with the player explaining his calculated approach: "It was a big moment in the game and it needed to go in, so I didn't want to put it in the corner and the keeper has a chance if diving. I just thought I wanted to hit it hard."

Carryduff, making their first final appearance since losing to Kilcoo in the 2020 decider, mounted a second-half rally but ultimately fell short of claiming what would have been their inaugural Frank O'Hare Cup. The South Belfast club had powered past Burren in the semi-final with their full contingent available, but couldn't overcome Kilcoo's championship pedigree despite showing improved form from their previous final appearance five years earlier.

Devlin expressed satisfaction with the victory amid external skepticism, noting "it's nice to see that people want Kilcoo to fall" while emphasizing the team's resilience. "This one is sweet with how the game played out and the build-up where we were doubted in this year's championship," he told BBC Sport NI. "It just shows the character of this team. Big teams play well in big games and we have that experience to put in those big performances." The win solidifies Kilcoo's status as the dominant force in Down football, achieving a landmark that had eluded them when Burren denied their seventh consecutive title bid in 2018.