Ideal spot for Château King's Cross

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."