Wine Tributaries
John Koetzner & Tim Hayes
Photos by Margie Koetzner

Vinopolis, City of Wine and Surprises - Part 1


vinopolisWine Tasting in London? Surely we jest. Yet, London has many attractions that appeal to visitors. Among them are Buckingham Palace, Harrods, the Albert Hall, and so much more. Our palates were stronger than our urges to visit the Queen of England's residence and we had already seen so many other sites. So, we chose a more adventurous and impressive venue for part of our tourist trappings while in London. If you have not visited Vinopolis, the City of Wine, it is a must-see tour, because it offers a grand opportunity to learn about viticulture history and regions, tastings of wines from around the world, a first class restaurant, and a museum that is part wine, part art.

It is by far the most outrageous wine venture to date. Even Robert Mondavi will have to go some distance to match the breadth that Vinopolis offers in the way of entertaining people as well as educating them when his wine education center opens in the Napa Valley.

Imagine the creators of special effects for Cats and Miss Saigon doing special effects for a wine center. Then, think about what they would do for a museum. Okay, you are beginning to get the picture. The place is outrageous.

Duncan Vaughn-Arbuckle
Vinopolis founder, Duncan Vaughn-Arbuckle
We were extremely fortunate to be given a tour by Vinopolis founder, Duncan Vaughn-Arbuckle. He shared how his original 100,000.00 pound venture (approximately $160,000.00) turned into twelve-year quest that became a thirty-three million-pound (approximately $46,000,000.00) reality. Mentioning that London may seem unlikely for such an adventure, Vaughn-Arbuckle joked, "I'm so ashamed it's not located in France." Yet, what stands today originally started as museum of international agriculture that grew into a place for wine and education, food, and banqueting.

After finding a location in London's South Bank neighborhood (near the new Globe Theatre and Tate Museum) Vaughn-Arbuckle negotiated a lease that would allow him to put the project forward along with 550 partners. He noted that the region was where most anything illicit or pleasurable, even prostitution, took place. He jokingly added, "We're hoping to turn it back into the pleasure center of London along with the Globe and the Tate."

From the outside, Vinopolis looks like a sleek new age building. It is sexy curves and lots of glass. On the inside, it is that and more. It mixes old-world and high tech to make a unique wine experience. One meanders amongst the brick and mortar that has been revealed through demolition to show part of the structure that supports the railway that rumbles overhead from time to time. It is 120,000 square feet of building that allows one to wander through nearly two acres of exhibits leisurely.

Continue to Part 2