Membership of the Vintners’ Company
Of days gone by
Traditionally, young men were apprenticed to a Wine Merchant who, when satisfied that they were competent to practice their trade, made them Freemen. As they became more senior in the Company, they became Liverymen, i.e. they were allowed to wear the Livery of the Company on important occasions. Over the years, methods of entry into the Company have changed and these are outlined below.
Methods of Entry
Application for membership of the Company MUST be by one of the methods outlined in this section and the candidate MUST satisfy the qualifying criteria.
The main methods for joining the Vintners’ Company by either Patrimony or Redemption.
Servitude has been replaced with the Young Wine Trade Membership Scheme.
In 2025 and in line with the Company’s continuing efforts to enrich its membership by broadening and diversifying its recruiting base the Company decided to open the Redemption route to membership to non-trade applicants as well as trade applicants
Application Window
Applications may be submitted between the start of May and must be complete by the end of July.
Membership by Patrimony
The Patrimony route to membership of the Vintners’ Company is for sons and daughters of Freemen or Liverymen born after their parent joined the Company and received the Freedom of the City of London.
The Candidate must be a minimum of 21 years of age at the time of the Court of Binding but ideally candidates more towards 25 and upwards would be better placed to make an application. Entry is by ‘right of Patrimony’ and, as part of the application process, candidates must attend an interview before the Membership Committee to determine their suitability to be made an ‘Active’ member of the Freedom.
NB: Adopted sons and daughters of Freemen or Liverymen, providing that their date of birth is after their parent’s admission to the Company, are eligible to join the Company through the Patrimony route, although their entry will be annotated as via “Redemption”.
Membership by Redemption
Each Redemption application must have a Proposer and two Seconders. At least one of the three supporters must be a Court member
Children of Vintners making a Redemption application may not be supported by their parent
The Proposer should 'own' and take full responsibility for the application
Only Liverymen may act as supporters - Freemen are not eligible
Liverymen and Court members may only propose or second one application in any one membership year
The candidate must be very well known to all three, proposer and seconders
The candidate must have attended at least one event at Vintners' Hall within the last twelve months prior to application
Throughout the application process, the candidate must clearly articulate their desire to join the Company – indicating their reason for application, their understanding and knowledge of Livery Companies and the City in general and the Vintners' Company in particular, as well as demonstrating what they can bring to the Company. They must also be in a position and prepared to actively engage in Vintners' Company activities
Proposers may find full instructions on the Redemption application process by clicking HERE
NB: Stepchildren are allowed to apply for entry by Redemption providing they have strong family links.
The Young Wine Trade Membership Scheme
The ‘Young Wine Trade Membership Scheme’ was introduced to provide an opportunity for a select few younger people to join the Company. They must be set on a career in the wine industry and must demonstrate their commitment to the trade as part of the application process.
To read more about this scheme and the application criteria click HERE
Receiving the Freedom of the City of London
Application process & forms
If you are the son or daughter of a Vintner and feel you qualify for membership under the rules of Patrimony, please contact the Membership Office for instructions on the application process:
Redemption Applications
If you are a Court member or Liveryman of the Vintners’ Company and would like to propose a candidate for membership by Redemption, please click the button below for full instructions on the process:
All applicants must complete the online application form at the link below.
Please ensure you have contacted the Membership Office beforehand and understand the process. You will also need a password from the Membership Office. If you are a Redemption candidate, your should receive full instructions, including the password, from your Proposer.
Proposers and Seconders of Redemption candidates are required to submit their respective supporting form using the links below.
The Membership Committee will review all applications for membership at its September meeting each year. ONLY completed applications will be presented at this meeting.
It is therefore required that all applications are completed by end of July so that all is in order in good time before the September meeting.
Membership Committee may choose to reject an application at the September meeting.
Candidates who pass this stage of the process will be invited to interview with the Membership Committee. Following successful interview, Membership Committee will make recommendation to Court and, subject to Court approval, successful candidates will be invited to the next, annual Court of Binding where they will be made a Freeman of the Vintners’ Company.
Candidates who are not able to attend the Court of Binding will be invited to the Court of Binding the following year.