Pre-tax profits at winemaker Chapel Down grew by 175% last year as it recorded its biggest ever harvest.

The company, which has its largest vineyards in Tenterden and Kit’s Coty near Blue Bell Hill, saw profits grow to £186,900, up from £68,000 in 2013.

Sales were up 21% to £6.1 million and revenues from beer also grew by 43%, although bosses said income could have been better had it not suffered poor harvests in 2011 and 2012.

The business received a £3.95 million cash injection from a crowdfunding venture in September – the first by a listed company – which has helped it secure 326 acres of new land across Kent to plant new vineyards.

With two large harvests in 2013 and 2014, the company said stocks have been replenished and it can now plan for further growth.

Chairman John Dunsmore said in its latest financial results the firm was encouraged the duty escalator had been dropped and duty had been frozen in the last budget.

He said: “The UK pays a staggering 67% of all the wine duties and taxes collected on wine in the whole EU. We are hopeful that further punitive duty increases are unlikely given the current success of the industry and the economic benefits of its continuing growth.”

He added: “Last year was an excellent year with many achievements that have gone a long way to secure an exciting future.

“With sparkling wine still in relatively low growth due to stock shortage and beer growing so rapidly, our margins were slightly lower, though this was partially counteracted by growth in our shop and tourism business.”