The transformation of East London’s former docklands continues with the announcement of the UK’s largest urban winery set to open in Canada Water in Autumn 2025.
Located at 9 Deal Porters Way, the 6,000 square foot facility will combine a self-pour wine bar, working winery, and discovery area where visitors can experience every stage of the winemaking process.
The project represents a significant milestone for Vagabond, which pioneered urban wineries at Battersea Power Station and is now expanding its footprint to 11 sites across the UK.
This flagship location will serve as both a production hub and experiential destination, forming part of the 53-acre redevelopment of former docks by British Land and Australian Super.
Head winemaker José Quintana will lead operations at the 100-tonne capacity facility, sourcing grapes from vineyards within a two-hour drive of London.
This proximity eliminates the need for flash-freezing, supporting environmental goals while connecting urban production to grape sources in regions like Kent, Sussex, Suffolk, and Oxfordshire.
Visitors to the Canada Water winery will have access to over 100 wines available by the glass in a self-pour format.
The space will offer hands-on winemaking workshops, tastings of wines in progress, and opportunities to see, smell, and taste throughout the production process.
English wines will be poured directly from barrels on site. The innovative Tap & Pour system allows guests to explore and discover different wines at their own pace.
The urban winery concept follows similar trends in global megacities where space constraints limit large-scale grape cultivation.
Examples include Urban Winery Sydney and Red Hook Winery in Brooklyn, which source grapes from nearby growing regions.
This model appeals to consumers seeking innovation, locality, and transparency in wine production.
Urban wineries provide a unique educational opportunity for visitors to learn about the winemaking processes firsthand, bridging the gap between production and consumption in metropolitan settings.
Now part of wine retailer Majestic and backed by Fortress Investment Group, Vagabond plans to use this site as a foundation for UK-wide growth.
The Canada Water location represents their largest investment yet, positioning London as a meeting point of urban innovation and vineyard heritage while enhancing the area as a destination blending production and hospitality.
The facility will showcase experimental winemaking techniques including solera ageing and concrete-egg fermenters that highlight the craft behind each bottle.
