The U.K.'s wine business is booming, so much so that Britain's largest winemaker is considering putting itself up for sale to fund expansion

Harvest of green grapes at Chapel Down Group Plc Vineyard (Credit: Chris Ratcliffe—Bloomberg/Getty Images)

The U.K.’s wine industry has never sparkled more. Last year’s harvest was the country’s largest ever, defying a global slump in wine output due to climate change.  

Over the years, there has been massive growth in new vineyards and wineries in the U.K., including for Kent-based Chapel Down, the country’s largest winemaker.