The short answer: London is one of the best cities in the world for wine tasting, and you do not need to be an expert. You can pour your own from a wall of hundreds of wines, learn the basics in a friendly class, tour a working winery in the middle of the city, or sip rare bottles in a historic merchant’s cellar. Here are twelve of the best places to taste wine in London, sorted by the kind of experience you want.
Wine tasting in London has never been more welcoming to visitors. You can taste as little or as much as you like, from a single measure poured by a machine to a guided flight led by a sommelier, and prices start at just a few pounds. Whether you want a relaxed hour with a glass in hand, a proper lesson, or a special bottle you cannot find at home, these are the spots worth your time.
The 12 Best Places for Wine Tasting in London
1. Vagabond Wines
The easiest way into wine tasting in London. At Vagabond you top up a card, then pour your own measures, from a small taste to a full glass, from a wall of a hundred or more wines. There is no pressure and no expertise required, which makes it ideal for first-timers and mixed groups. Its Soho flagship is the flashiest, and its Bermondsey site is a working urban winery where you can also tour and taste wines made on the premises.
2. The Sampler
A brilliant wine shop where dozens of bottles, including rare and expensive ones, are kept fresh in sampling machines so you can taste before you buy. Buy a card, help yourself to small pours, and try things you would never open at random. A relaxed, low-commitment way to taste seriously good wine.
3. 28-50 Wine Workshop and Kitchen
A smart, unstuffy wine bar with a long by-the-glass list and ready-made tasting flights that let you compare several wines side by side. The kitchen does proper food too, so it works for a light tasting or a full dinner. A good choice for a grown-up evening without joining a formal class.
4. Vinoteca
A small, dependable group of wine bars with an interesting, well-priced list and staff who genuinely know it. Order a flight, tell them what you like, and let them guide you. No fuss, no snobbery, just good wine in a friendly room.
5. Humble Grape and the Humble Wine School
Humble Grape runs some of the most approachable wine classes in the city through its Humble Wine School, from one-off themed tastings to accredited courses, often from around twenty-five pounds. The bars themselves are lovely for a casual tasting flight. The best pick if you want to actually learn something and enjoy yourself doing it.
6. WSET School London
The Wine and Spirit Education Trust is the global standard in wine education, and its London school runs everything from casual evening tastings to full qualifications. If you want to take your interest a step further, this is the serious, friendly place to do it. Book well ahead for the popular sessions.
7. Renegade London Wine
One of London’s original urban wineries, making its own wine under the railway arches. The regular tours and tastings let you see how city wine is made and try several of the results, usually for around twenty-five pounds. Fun, hands-on and very of-the-moment.
8. Blackbook Winery
A small, well-regarded winery under the arches making single-vineyard English wines in the middle of the city. Its winery tours and tastings are intimate and led by people who made the wine, so you get the full story in the glass. Book ahead, as spaces are limited.
9. London Cru
Set in a handsome Victorian warehouse, London Cru was the capital’s first proper inner-city winery. It hosts tastings and events among the barrels and tanks, which makes for an atmospheric and slightly different night out. A great option for a private group tasting.
10. Berry Bros. and Rudd
Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant, trading from the same St James’s shop since 1698, with cellars that have served the royal court for centuries. Its tutored tastings and wine school combine real heritage with serious knowledge. If you want a tasting that feels uniquely British, start here.
11. Hedonism Wines
A spectacular Mayfair wine shop stocked with thousands of bottles, from everyday finds to some of the rarest in the world. It runs tastings and events, and simply browsing is an experience in itself. The place to go if you want to taste something truly special.
12. 67 Pall Mall
The most famous wine club in London, pouring hundreds of wines by the glass, including grand bottles you would rarely see open. It is primarily a members’ club, so entry is usually as a member or their guest, though it also runs public tastings and events worth watching for. The aspirational end of London wine.
Taste Wine Made in and Beyond London
Two easy ways to go deeper. First, a guided wine or wine-and-cheese tasting, or a wine walking tour, which gives you a set time, an expert host and a curated line-up without any planning. Second, a day trip to England’s vineyards in Kent and Sussex, the heart of the country’s award-winning sparkling wine, roughly one to two hours from London and lovely in good weather.
Find wine tastings and experiences in LondonSee more London wine tours and vineyard day trips
How to Choose
Pick by the kind of afternoon or evening you want:
- First time or a relaxed taste: Vagabond or The Sampler.
- Actually learn something: Humble Wine School or WSET.
- See wine being made: Renegade, Blackbook or London Cru.
- Heritage and occasion: Berry Bros. and Rudd or Hedonism.
- A special group flight or dinner: 28-50 or Vinoteca.
Booking tip: the self-pour bars and wine shops are usually walk-in, so go off-peak to get space. Classes, winery tours and anything at the members’ clubs book up well ahead, especially at weekends, so reserve early.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I do wine tasting in London?
All over the city. Self-pour bars like Vagabond and wine shops like The Sampler let you taste on a walk-in basis, wine schools such as Humble Grape and WSET run classes, and urban wineries like Renegade, Blackbook and London Cru offer tours and tastings. Historic merchants such as Berry Bros. and Rudd add heritage to the glass.
What is the best wine tasting experience in London?
It depends on what you want. For a relaxed first taste, Vagabond is hard to beat. To learn, book the Humble Wine School or WSET. For something memorable, tour an urban winery or take a tutored tasting at Berry Bros. and Rudd. There is no single best, only the best for your evening.
How much does wine tasting in London cost?
Less than you might think. At self-pour bars you pay by the measure, so a taste can cost just a pound or two. Guided classes and winery tours typically start around twenty-five pounds, while tastings at luxury merchants and members’ clubs cost more. You can taste well at almost any budget.
Do I need to book a wine tasting in London?
For self-pour bars and wine shops, usually not, just walk in. For classes, winery tours and anything at 67 Pall Mall, yes, book ahead, as popular sessions sell out, especially at weekends.
Can I do wine tasting in London if I am not an expert?
Absolutely, and most places are built for exactly that. Self-pour bars remove all pressure, and beginner classes at the wine schools are relaxed and jargon-free. Wine tasting in London is welcoming to complete newcomers.
Are there wine tastings for tourists and first-timers?
Yes. Vagabond, The Sampler and the introductory classes at Humble Grape are ideal for visitors and first-timers, with friendly staff and no need to know anything in advance. Guided tastings you can book online are also a good, low-effort option.
Can you visit a winery in London?
Yes. London has several working urban wineries you can tour, including Renegade in Walthamstow, Blackbook in Battersea and London Cru in Fulham, plus Vagabond’s winery in Bermondsey. Each offers tours and tastings of wine made in the city.
Is wine really made in London?
It is. A handful of urban wineries make wine within the city, often from English grapes, and you can taste the results on site. Beyond the city, Kent and Sussex produce England’s celebrated sparkling wines, an easy day trip away.
The Bottom Line
London makes wine tasting easy, affordable and genuinely fun, whatever your level. Pour your own at a self-pour bar, learn the ropes in a friendly class, tour a winery under the arches, or sip something rare in a historic cellar. Pick the experience that fits your day, book the popular ones ahead, and enjoy one of the world’s great wine cities.
About the Author
Sources and fact-check
Venue types, locations and operating status were checked against the venues’ own information and current London wine-scene listings at the time of writing. Details change often, so confirm availability before you go. Please drink responsibly; you must be 18 or over to buy or taste alcohol in the UK.
Clara Whitby is Welcome2London’s AI travel curator, known to readers as The Londonologist. She was created by our editorial team to help first time visitors plan London and the rest of the UK with confidence: where to stay, how to get around, what is worth your money and what you can happily skip. Every guide she presents is researched from official sources and checked by the Welcome2London team before it goes live.
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