Indie retailer Vagabond opens urban winery at Battersea Power Station

Independent wine shop and bar group Vagabond has opened an urban winery in the iconic Battersea Power Station.

Vagabond’s latest branch in Battersea comes fitted with its own winery.

The sixth branch of the wine bar — and Vagabond’s second site in Battersea — opened earlier this week, complete with its own small-scale winery which the company said will “reveal the production processes of wine-making to all.”

The new bar and shop will offer tastings and winemaking workshops while offering an insight in the production process to city-dwellers who otherwise wouldn’t have access to vineyard tours.

Vagabond’s owner Stephen French told the drinks business back in 2016 that he was on the hunt for a site for the brand’s urban winery, and was “very exited” at the prospect of launching a unique production experience in the city.

“All the equipment will be on full display, with tables in between for customers,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vagabond is also producing its own English wines made with Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir rosé and a Reichensteiner pétillant naturel.

Vagabond said it expects its pétillant naturel to be ready by the end of the year, while its still wines will be available from early 2018.

Vagabond founder Stephen Finch told the drinks business: “It’s been years in the making and now that our urban winery is finally up-and-running, I can’t even begin to express my joy.”

“This place managed to turn out better than I had hoped.  In large part this is down to the guidance of our full-time — and award-winning — winemaker, Gavin Monery.  He’s managed to create a truly first-rate winery and, judging by barrel/tank samples, first-rate wines too.

“The urban winery phenomenon is a big deal in America, and we’re jealous of ourselves for getting to lead this charge in the UK.”

Vagabond’s bars sell more than 100 wines by the glass, alongside a modern European food menu.

The retailer’s first store in Fulham Broadway, which was founded in 2010 was a pioneer of a ‘new style of retailing’ that allowed consumers to sample wines using an Enomatic machine before buying it.