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Ideal spot for Château King's Cross
Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent16 Mar 2009
IT is a world away from the idyllic slopes of the Continent and New World usually associated with many of the world's best red wines.
But a former rubbish tip on an industrial estate behind King's Cross station is to be transformed into London's first large-scale vineyard.
The owners hope the vineyard, which is backed by one of Mayor Boris Johnson's green ambassadors, will produce about 100 bottles of wine per year, to be sold at Acorn House restaurant in nearby Grays Inn Road.
Alex Smith of Alara, the muesli company behind the scheme, said: "We have a very sunny south-facing patch measuring about 45m by 8m, and we think it is the perfect spot for a vineyard."
Mr Smith, who in his ambassadorial role advises companies on going green, has given over large areas of his firm's land to gardens. "When we moved into the building five years ago, the area was a huge rubbish dump and, being so close to King's Cross station at that time it wasn't pleasant rubbish. We cleared the area and turned it into a garden."
After removing more than 50 tonnes of rubbish with the help of the local community, staff planted 50 varieties of plants as well as setting up three beehives and a company compost heap. "We looked at how we could expand the garden and this spot just seemed perfect for a vineyard," said Mr Smith.
It is believed Alara's King's Cross vineyard will be London's biggest. "In fact we have already earmarked some nearby land to extend the vineyard," said Mr Smith. The grape vines are due to be planted this week, with the first harvest taking place in autumn 2011.
Once harvested, the grapes will be taken to the Bookers Vineyard in Bolney, West Sussex, to be pressed and turned into wine.
"Lots of people dream of owning vineyards and we hope that by showing people in London it can be done on their doorsteps we'll see a lot more areas of wasteland turning into community vineyards and food producing gardens," said Mr Smith.
Richard Sharp of Urban Wine Company, the firm which advised Alara on which varieties to grow, said: "Many people think the UK is a terrible place for grape growing but they couldn't be more wrong. A considerable range of grape varieties grow well."
"It is going to be very interesting to compare a north London wine with a south London one. Alex has a perfect spot for growing, so we are looking forward to tasting his wine."
Mr Sharp, whose firm also helped produce "Chateau Tooting - Furzedown Blush", a wine made from grapes pooled by residents of Tooting, called for more gardeners who were growing grapes in the capital to get in touch.
He said: "We have more than 50 members across London who give us grapes for an annual pressing, and there is nothing better than producing wine through the power of the collective and its community."
Reader views (4)
Central London ought to be ideal for vines and having grown them in the UK for 35 years, I know you will get pleasure from them. However, making good wine on this scale is very difficult and I wish you luck. As for the comments about English Wines (Marianne, SW France) these people have obviusly not had good UK-grown wines of which plenty exists. I wish all French wine was as palateable!
- Stephen Skelton Mw, London, 17/03/2009 16:27
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George there is nothing novel about growinf vines in England - there have been vineyards here since Roman times and serious commercial vineyards since the late 50's. Our sparklers are right up there with Champagne and beating that region to the prizes. Marianne? When did you last taste English wines? - the improvement over the past four years or so has been dramatic. Come on, give these pioneers a chance. By the way, rustle a few feathers and call the wine 'Domaine Gare du Croix du Roi' and the 'put Britain down' brigade will think they're drinking from lower latitudes.
- Winelines, Sevenoaks, UK, 17/03/2009 08:55
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Surrey's finest vineyard only produces 800,000 bottles of mediocre wine a year, yet employs dozens of people. It makes its 'profits' from the visitor centre and restaurants attached which only exist due to the novelty of trying to raise vines in England.
- George, London, 16/03/2009 16:04
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100 bottles per year? Even the most exclusive vineyards produce ten times that. And believe me, I've sampled some of Surrey's finest and it's NOT good !
- Marianne, SW France, 16/03/2009 12:26
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