What Is Urban Winemaking Anyway?

When most people think of winemaking, they picture rolling hills, sun-drenched vines and a dog called Bruno chasing pheasants between the rows. Lovely. But that’s not the only way wine gets made. Increasingly, some of the world’s most exciting bottles aren’t born in a sleepy vineyard — they’re crafted right in the heart of the city. Welcome to urban winemaking.

So what actually is it?

Urban winemaking is exactly what it sounds like: wineries built not in the countryside, but in the middle of a metropolis. Instead of being surrounded by vines, you’re surrounded by cranes, coffee shops and commuters. Grapes are trucked in from partner vineyards, often within a few hours of harvest, and pressed, fermented and aged right there in the city.

Why bother?

Because it flips the script. Winemaking stops being this far-off, mysterious thing and becomes part of everyday life. You can pop in on your lunch break, watch the winemaker at work, and taste what’s fermenting in the tank a few metres from your table. It makes wine feel alive and accessible. And when you add self-pour taps into the mix… well, you’ve basically got Disneyland for grown-ups.

Is it new?

Not really. Cities like New York, San Francisco and Paris have had urban wineries for years. But it’s still a bit of a novelty in the UK. That’s why Vagabond decided to go big: our new Canada Water Urban Winery is set to be the largest in the country, complete with concrete eggs, steel tanks, oak barrels and enough kit to make any oenology student weak at the knees.

What’s the point of it?

A few reasons:

Freshness — grapes harvested in the morning can be bubbling away in tanks by the evening.

Sustainability — less need for long international shipments when you can work with vineyards closer to home.

Transparency — you see it all, from grape to glass. No smoke, no mirrors.

Community — wine becomes part of the fabric of city life, not some gated-off world you need to “understand” before you join in.

Why does it matter to you?

Because you don’t need to trek to Bordeaux or Tuscany to experience winemaking first-hand. You can do it on your way back from the Jubilee line. You can sit at the bar, glass in hand, watching fermentation tanks fizzing away a few feet from you. It’s the future of wine: immersive, hands-on, a bit messy, and a lot of fun.

Who’s behind the wine?

Meet José Quintana, Vagabond’s winemaker. José cut his teeth in Rioja and Ribera del Duero before bringing his craft to the UK, where he’s become one of the most exciting names in the new wave of English winemaking. He’s obsessed with the details — the kind of person who will talk yeast strains with the same passion most people reserve for football finals. Under his eye, our urban winery is not just a production space but a playground for experimentation, from concrete egg fermentations to solera-style ageing.

Come see for yourself

This winter, we’ll be opening the doors to our brand-new Canada Water Urban Winery. Come taste wine straight from the tank, quiz José on what’s bubbling away, and see for yourself how city winemaking comes alive. Book a table, bring your friends, and be part of the next chapter in London’s wine story.