Vagabond opens Battersea winery

Vagabond Wines has opened its winery, bar and shop at the Battersea Power Station Village and will be launching an English sparkling wine soon.

The site is independent merchant Vagabond’s sixth premise in London and the first with an urban winery attached.

The winery will be run by winemaker Gavin Monery, previously of London Cru, and will largely focus on producing English wine, sourcing grapes from various vineyards.

Furthermore, Vagabond has said the aim will be to involve customers with the winemaking process, with various events including blending sessions, winemaker tastings and so on taking place throughout the year.

The first wine to be launched from the winery will be a sparkling wine made from Oxfordshire-grown grapes, followed by a rosé made from Pinot Noir and, eventually, a Bacchus and a Chardonnay.

In addition, Vagabond has a ‘Collaboration Series’ planned with growers and winemakers from around the world to create wines exclusively for Vagabond.

Monery said: “London has a history of combining old traditions and new ideas; there’s an eccentricity here that thrives on the new and unusual. For years the London food scene has taken the best people, ingredients and ideas from around the world and we’re an extension of that.

“We’re sourcing grapes from top quality sites across the UK, Europe and South Africa, making wines with the same techniques and attention to detail as the best estates in the world. “

Vagabond’s founder and managing director, Stephen Finch noted: “We’ re always thinking of ways to make wine more exciting and accessible for our customers. So instead of simply bringing great wine to London, why not make great wine in London?

“Allowing customers to see how wine is made, and drink wines on-site that have been made on-site, helps to bring customers closer to wine in a fun and educational way that’s not really been done before in London.”

A press pre-launch tasting will take place from 17-19 April. By appointment only, contact maddy@vagabondwines.co.uk.

For more information about the shop and winery click here.