Chapel Down has today announced the release of a limited edition English sparkling wine to commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, with all profits being donated to the Royal British Legion.

With the nation preparing to celebrate the crowning of the new monarch, the Kent-based producer is marking the occasion with the release of ‘Chapel Down Coronation Edition 2016’. Just 2,000 bottles have been released and all profits from the sale of the wine will be donated to its charity partner, the Royal British Legion.

The ‘Chapel Down Coronation Edition’ is from the exceptional 2016 vintage and features special edition packaging, including a union jack flag design imprinted on the front label and the official coronation logo on the neck label. The wine is a classic blend of the finest parcels of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from the Garden of England, Kent. This complex sparkling wine is aged on lees for five and a half years before its release today. Described by its head winemaker, Josh Donaghay-Spire, as displaying “complex aromas of ripe apple, fresh red berries and toasted brioche”, this rich and complex sparkling wine is “perfect for grand celebrations”.

The limited edition sparkling wine will be served at some of the country’s finest restaurants in the lead up to the Coronation, including being served by the glass at the two Michelin star The Hand and Flowers, and the Oxo Tower Restaurant. The wine will also be stocked at Harvey Nichols, Fenwick, Hedonism Wines and directly from chapeldown.com.

The producer has also announced that all profits from the sale of the wine (RRP £65.00) will be donated to its charity partner, the Royal British Legion – a charity that is dedicated to supporting the Armed Forces community, and has been long supported by the Royal Family, receiving a Royal Charter from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1971.

Chapel Down will also be marking the Coronation at their winery estate by hosting a ‘Coronation Wine Experience’ over the four day bank holiday weekend where guests will enjoy a guided tour of the vineyards and winery, followed by a tutored wine tasting of its award-winning sparkling wines. The producer expects to welcome over 1,000 visitors to the winery over the celebration weekend and £5.00 from every Coronation Wine Experience (RRP £35.00) will also be donated to the Royal British Legion.

Chapel Down Chief Executive, Andrew Carter, said: “We are delighted to be marking this great national occasion with the release of a limited edition English sparkling wine and hope that the nation joins us in toasting to His Majesty King Charles on the 8th May.

“Whilst this is a moment for great celebration, it is also a moment of reflection and of giving back to those that protect our great nation. For that reason, we are proud to be donating the profits from the sale of this wine to the Royal British Legion, a charity that supports members of the Armed Forces community and their families. We are also running a number of wider fundraising initiatives to support the Royal British Legion.”

Ben France, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Royal British Legion, added: “We are grateful that Chapel Down will be donating profits from the sale of its Coronation Edition English sparkling wine to the Royal British Legion. The RBL provides a lifeline for serving personnel, veterans and their families, supporting them in the face of hardships, injuries and bereavements. As the nation comes together to celebrate the crowning of a new monarch, the money raised from this Coronation Edition wine will help the RBL continue its vital work supporting the Armed Forces community throughout their lives.”

The Chapel Down Coronation Edition 2016 (12%) is available to purchase for £65.00 from Harvey Nichols, Fenwick, Hedonism Wines, Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt, as well as directly from Chapel Down’s website. The wine will be on sale from Friday, 29th March until the end of the Coronation bank holiday weekend on Monday, 8th May 2023.