London's first winery: I’ll have a bottle of Château London 2013, please waiter

A new London-based winery, London Cru, will open in Earl’s Court in November
Gavin Monery
Ian Sterling

London has been famed for its gin distilling and beer-brewing for centuries but rarely with wine making — until now.

The first winery in the centre of the capital is being installed in Earl’s Court in a building where “mother’s ruin” was once made. The winery, called London Cru, will not grow its own grapes but will be suppled by fruit from southern France.

The first batches are due from Launguedoc and Roussillion in southern France in September with further supplies from Bordeaux later in the autumn.

Grapes will be hand harvested, transported in refrigerated trucks and will arrive in London within 36 hours of being picked in the vineyards.

The first limited-edition London Cru wines are expected to go on sale next summer.

The Earl’s Court building will open to the public in November for tours and wine tasting and will also be available for hire as an events space.

Gavin Monery, London Cru’s winemaker, said: “With so many talented people creating world-class craft beers and spirits in London we thought it was a great time to do the same with wine, and share the experience of making it with people who want a hands-on, informative and entertaining experience.”

The wine producer, from Australia, added: “We realise that this is going to be a challenge, but we have all of the tools, skills and experience to make top quality wines in an urban environment. We also have the freedom to create the styles we want without the rules that apply to so many wine regions.”

The venture is backed by Cliff Roberson, founder of Kensington-based wine merchant Roberson Wine and investor Will Tomlinson.

Currently, the only wine made on any scale from grapes grown in London is the so-called Château Tooting made from an assortment of grapes grown in London’s back gardens, allotments and even on a few balconies.

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