Urban Wine Co: Building Community Through Local Winemaking in London

The Urban Wine Initiative

Founded in 2009, Urban Wine Co in south London, led by Richard Sharp, transforms local grape harvests into celebrated wines.

The Inspiration Behind Urban Wine

Richard Sharp, who has dedicated over three decades to urban regeneration, reflects on his journey from working in community housing to establishing Urban Wine Co. His interest in community winemaking sparked during a family holiday in Languedoc, France, where he experienced the warmth of local harvests.

Returning to London with two vines in his garden, Sharp envisioned replicating that community spirit. He sought volunteers to bring their grapes together for an annual harvest, an idea he found difficult to pitch to many wineries until he connected with Bolney Estate, where he received vital mentorship that catalyzed Urban Wine's debut vintage.

Community Engagement and Harvest

Pre-registration for the harvest offers local participants a chance to engage meaningfully. For a £25 fee, members can contribute grapes collected from homes, gardens, and allotments, creating a collective experience every September in Tooting. Members appreciate receiving wine crafted from their own grape yields, resulting in a truly personalized product.

Participants are free to choose how much wine to order, reflecting their contribution. This inclusive approach nurtures a generous spirit among members, balancing those with abundant grapes and those with lesser amounts. Annually, Urban Wine Co sees between 150 to 200 contributing households, with total grape contributions weighing up to three tons.

What’s compelling is the diverse methods of transport used by members bringing their grapes to the harvest. Some opt for cars and bikes, while others utilize public transit—one member famously commuted from Finsbury Park with a bucket of grapes on the tube.

Winemaking Process

The winemaking journey involves not just collective grape harvesting but also a keen understanding of grape varieties. While some members know the specifics of their vines, others benefit from experts who help identify them. The planning is tricky; coordinating harvest dates across numerous locations can feel like navigating a logistical maze. Sharp and his team often make educational visits to local vineyards, fostering deeper connections.

Currently, Toby Spiers at Downsview Vineyard leads the winemaking process after Urban Wine Co's previous collaboration with a more distant winery. The proximity of Downsview provides logistical ease and allows for regular member engagement, mirroring the spirit of community winemaking.

Urban Wine Co has also expanded its offerings to include other English wines, catering to a growing taste among its members while introducing newcomers to the region's varietals.

Building Community Through Wine

One of Sharp’s proudest accomplishments through Urban Wine is the heartfelt connections formed among members. He notes how people often return from events to share stories about their wines being part of celebrate milestones, embodying a shared sense of community pride. “It’s really sweet, and it’s a privilege to have created something so special,” he shared.

The convivial atmosphere at town markets and community events reinforces this ethos. Sharp captures a nostalgic view of urban neighborhoods, likening the model of communal celebrations through local produce to what London fostered 150 years ago. The resulting wines not only stand out in taste but reflect the dedication of involved members, further strengthening their bond.

Culinary Pairings and Personal Recommendations

Sharp enjoys discussing the wine itself, particularly praising the versatility of their Bacchus varietals and the delightful pairing of their pink fizz with blue cheese like Stilton. He encourages newcomers to engage with Urban Wine emphasizing that starting small and having fun are essential components of building a community wine project.

A Sustainable Community Vision

Urban Wine Co exemplifies how local initiatives can foster community ties while creating quality products. Sharp’s vision, born from a simple moment in the French countryside, has flowered into a thriving project that reflects the essence of community-centric winemaking. With every new harvest, it reinforces the connections among London's diverse populace, celebrating both their individual contributions and shared experiences.

As Urban Wine continues to grow, it invites other communities to rethink their own potential for collective creativity and enjoyment, rooted deeply in place and produced with care.