Vagabond launches urban wine school

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 02 January, 2019

Vagabond Wines is adding official wine educator to its ever-growing list of services.

The London-based bar, merchant, urban winery and now approved provider for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is launching an ‘urban wine school’ with Benjamin Gubbins joining the ranks as the company’s first in-house WSET educator.

Gubbins’ arrival marks the first time Vagabond has offered formal wine qualifications, due to take place at the company's urban winery and bar hybrid in Battersea Power Station.

Graham Cox DipWSET, UK business development director at the WSET said: “It is really exciting to see Vagabond join the ever-growing family of WSET Approved Programme Providers who connect our world-class qualifications with keen students in all walks of life.

“I know Ben will be teaching both his colleagues in Vagabond and enthusiastic customers across all their outlets. With UK first quarter growth (August-October) up 8% (globally +14%), the desire to learn more about wines, spirits and sake show no signs of slowing down.”

Gubbins holds his WSET Diploma and will be bringing fifteen years of experience in the wine trade to Vagabond’s table.

Since being founded in 2010, Vagabond has become a staple of London’s quality bar scene with self-pour Enomatic machines forming a key feature of the business model.

The move to formal education is taking the company's ethos of sampling and tasting one step further.

Of the location for Vagabonds Battersea wine school, Gubbins said: “I can't think of a better place to be doing this. Rather than just a classroom, this is a living, breathing wine-making, tasting, discussing, selling and learning environment.”

“I’m chuffed to be going back to the classroom (I taught music for 8 years before I discovered I liked wine better), and I’m looking forward to sharing knowledge, and hopefully lighting the spark of love of wine and keep it burning,” he added.

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