Welcome to the Vintners’ Company

A Great Twelve City of London Livery Company

Close-up of an ancient document with handwritten text, featuring several wax seals hanging by strings.

The Company received its first Royal Charter in 1363 and is known as the Spiritual Home of the International Wine Trade

Coat of arms with ship, swans, shield, and motto

Historical drawing of a formal gathering in an ornate room with portraits and a fireplace.

History

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Charity

A bottle of 1982 Chateau Latour wine placed on a wooden surface with another bottle partially visible in the background.

Trade

Elegant dining table set with a golden trophy, wine glasses, and name cards.

Venue Hire

Swan and cygnet in a boat with people wearing white clothing.

Swans !

Our History

Vintage illustration of a historical gathering in a lavishly decorated room with people in formal attire.

With its origins steeped in the history of the City of London and the import, regulation and sale of wine, the Company maintains strong links with the wine industry.

Its current trade, social, charitable and educational interests, means the Company continues to play an important role in the 21st century.

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Coat of arms of the City of London with dragons and red cross on shield.

Night scene on a bridge in a city, with tall buildings lit up. People are walking, and a person is sitting on the ground near the railing. The bridge has illuminated cables and metal railings.

Charity

The heart of the Company

through the work of the

Vintners’ Foundation

The Company’s principal charitable vehicle is the Vintners’ Foundation, which provides assistance to charities concerned with the relief of the poor, destitute and homeless in Greater London; charities treating the social effects of alcohol abuse or misuse, and support to young people, youth projects and designated educational establishments in London.

Read about our charity work here.

Vintners’ Hall

A spectacular event venue in

the City of London

Elegant dining table setup with silver wine goblet, crystal glasses, napkin, and name cards.

Elegant wooden staircase with ornate railings in an old mansion interior. The staircase is adorned with decorative carvings and features three framed paintings on the wall. A chest of drawers with a potted plant is placed beside the staircase. The stair carpet has a pattern and is held in place with brass rods. Stained glass window is partially visible in the background.

A gourmet plate featuring a cooked filet mignon with sauce, garnished with microgreens, accompanied by a carrot and asparagus. Decorative napkin and blurred floral arrangement in the background.

Luxurious dining room with a long table set for a formal dinner, surrounded by ornate wood paneling, chandeliers, and classic paintings.

Elegant hallway with a chandelier, bust sculpture, potted plants, and swan statue on a pedestal.

The magnificent Vintners’ Hall and its ancillary rooms are available for your special event, be that corporate or private.

Whatever the occasion, you can be assured of our excellent quality of service and hospitality.

Read more.

Elegant table setting with white tablecloth, folded napkins, glassware, cutlery, and a centerpiece with pink flowers.

Our Trade

The Vintners' Company boasts a rich tapestry of historical connections with the wine trade, spanning centuries as one of London's oldest and most influential livery companies. Its origins as a guild dedicated to regulating wine quality and trade in medieval times have evolved into a contemporary institution that continues to uphold and celebrate the traditions of the wine industry

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The Vintners' Company is a Founder of the Institute of Masters of Wine

The Vintners' Company is a Founder of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust

Swan Upping

Swan with cygnet on a boat with people wearing white clothing.

The Vintners’ Company’s ancient right to own swans dates back over 900 years and the annual event of ‘Swan Upping’ takes place in the third week of July. Originally this was a way of allocating ownership of swans, a prized bird eaten at many feasts.

Ownership was a sign of status and importance, but now Swan Upping is about counting and checking the health of the birds as well as educating people about the importance of Swan Upping and swan conservation.

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