Vagabond to launch UK’s largest urban winery
The launch of the Canada Water venue, along with the opening of two separate Vagabond bars in the capital, is set to create around 80 new jobs.
“People want to connect with wine – not just drink it”, says Vagabond Wines managing director, as the firm gears up to launch the UK’s largest urban winery in central London.
The self-pour wine bar group, will take 6,000 sq ft of space at British Land and AustralianSuper’s 53-acre Canada Water Masterplan, with doors set to open later this year.
Speaking to the drinks business, Vagabond MD Christobell Giles, said she expected the launch, along with the opening of two separate bars in the autumn, to create up to 80 new roles.
“It’s a space designed for culture, creativity and connection, which is exactly what wine should be about,” she said. “Being in Zone 2 of London’s transport network gives us the reach we need to connect more people to winemaking, and the scale of the site means we can really push what’s possible with wine experiences and events – and being wonderfully connected to the heart of London.”
English wine surge
The new Vagabond bar will bring large-scale winemaking, immersive experience, and more than 100 wines by the glass to the central London location. According to Giles, the launch forms a part of Vagabond’s wider growth strategy, with the goal of doubling the size of its estate in the next three years.
Under the guidance of José Quintana, Vagabond’s head winemaker, the new urban winery will feature design details such as a “striking concrete egg fermenter” and an “experimental solera system”, giving guests insight into the winemaking process.
Speaking to db, Giles said: “Vagabond has always been built on connection. Our first urban winery helped bridge the gap between drinkers and winemakers – the same way our bars connect people to wines from all over the world.
“This project takes that idea further. It supports our growth, gives us more production capacity, and gives our community an incredible new event space to enjoy. With interest in English and urban wine growing fast, the timing couldn’t be better.”
The winery is touted to quadruple Vagabond’s English wine output, and is backed by an investment from owner Majestic Group.
Million-pound investment
The investment “run into the millions of pounds”, Majestic Group CEO John Colley told db. “It reflects our commitment to supporting high-quality English winemaking and helping it thrive in the heart of London,” he said.
Last year, the UK specialist retailed purchased Vagabond Wines out of administration. The deal was said to save more than 170 jobs, and added nine wine bars to the Majestic portfolio.
Colley continued: “It also forms part of a wider long-term strategy to grow Vagabond; through new bars across the UK, including two new sites in London this year, improved systems, a new direct to consumer capability and an advanced CRM system to understand our guests better.
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“The winery plays a central role in that proposition, helping us connect more people to great wine in new and truly unique ways.”
Colley said the investment added “real value” to Majestic Group, from producing award-winning wines that could appear in Majestic stores, to hosting training, trade and customer events in the central London space.”
The retailer’s latest trading results showed a sales uptick of 1.9%, with more than 70,000 new customers shopping in its retail and online stores in the six weeks to 30 December 2024.
Canada Water expansion
“We’re proud to support Vagabond’s ambition and look forward to seeing this flagship Canada Water site open in the autumn,” added Colley.
The unit is located on the ground floor of the recently completed Dock Shed, a mixed-use building with HQ-ready workspace above and the new Canada Water Leisure Centre to the back.
The space will feature a working 100-tonne winery, a Vagabond bar with the brand’s signature self-pour wine machines, and multiple event and private hire spaces.
There will be capacity for up to 100,000 bottles per year, and space for more than 300 daily visitors.
‘People want to connect with wine’
“We’re lucky to work in an industry that’s as emotional as it is delicious,” said Giles. “Visiting a winery is romantic and immersive, and gives people a real feel for the craft behind the bottle. There’s nothing like hearing someone like Jose, our head winemaker, in full flow talking through one of his latest creations – surrounded by tanks and barrels of the next vintage.”
Vagabond’s series of openings later this year includes new bars in St Paul’s and at British Land and GIC’s Broadgate, Liverpool Street.
Alice Keown, leasing director of restaurants and leisure at British Land, said: “The addition of Vagabond to Canada Water forms a key part of our vision to create one of the most vibrant cultural and experiential destinations in London.
“It will be in a prime position surrounded by brand new homes, workspace and the Leisure Centre. The in-house winery will be a flagship attraction, combining innovation, hospitality, and community under one roof.”
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