Vagabond Wines to open largest urban winery in the UK at Canada Water in central London

Vagabond Wines is preparing to open what it claims will be the United Kingdom’s largest urban winery, located in the Canada Water area of central London. The company announced the project on social media, describing the new venue as a “wine cathedral” and inviting the public to experience winemaking up close. The facility is set to open its doors later this year and will occupy 6,000 square feet on the ground floor of Dock Shed, a recently completed mixed-use building within the 53-acre Canada Water Masterplan developed by British Land and AustralianSuper.

The new urban winery will be led by head winemaker José Quintana and will focus on producing wines from grapes grown across the UK, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Bacchus. The site will feature a working 100-tonne winery, a Vagabond bar equipped with self-pour wine machines, and multiple event spaces available for private hire. The design includes a concrete egg fermenter and an experimental solera system, offering visitors a direct view into the winemaking process. Guests will be able to walk through the facility, taste wines directly from tanks, and participate in immersive experiences.

Vagabond’s managing director Christobell Giles said that the new space is intended to foster culture, creativity, and connection around wine. She emphasized that being located in Zone 2 of London’s transport network allows Vagabond to reach more people and expand its wine experiences and events. Giles also noted that interest in English and urban wine is growing rapidly, making this an ideal time for expansion.

The launch of the Canada Water winery is part of Vagabond’s broader growth strategy, which aims to double the size of its estate over the next three years. Alongside the winery opening, Vagabond plans to launch two additional bars in London this autumn—one in St Paul’s and another at Broadgate near Liverpool Street. Together, these openings are expected to create around 80 new jobs.

The project has received significant financial backing from Majestic Group, which acquired Vagabond Wines out of administration last year. Majestic Group CEO John Colley confirmed that investment in the Canada Water site runs into the millions of pounds. He stated that supporting high-quality English winemaking in central London aligns with Majestic’s long-term strategy to grow Vagabond through new venues, improved systems, direct-to-consumer capabilities, and advanced customer relationship management.

Colley highlighted that the new winery will have capacity for up to 100,000 bottles per year and can accommodate more than 300 daily visitors. He added that producing award-winning wines at this scale could benefit Majestic stores across the UK and provide a venue for training sessions, trade events, and customer gatherings.

Alice Keown, leasing director for restaurants and leisure at British Land, said that bringing Vagabond to Canada Water supports their vision of creating a vibrant cultural destination in London. The location is surrounded by new homes, workspaces, and leisure facilities, positioning the winery as a flagship attraction for both residents and visitors.

Vagabond’s expansion comes amid rising interest in English wines and urban winemaking experiences. The company’s approach combines production with hospitality and education, aiming to connect consumers more closely with the craft behind each bottle. With its latest developments at Canada Water and other sites across London, Vagabond is positioning itself at the forefront of urban wine culture in the UK.