Brussels’ first urban winery about to open

The ‘urban winery’ is a thing, and now Brussels has one, too. The difference between urban wineries and the traditional sort is that they don't have the space to grow their own grapes, and so bring them in from local vineyards instead.

Thierry Lejeune (pictured, right) is a Brussels resident who wanted to embark on a new career in organic winemaking but didn’t want to leave the city. So he decided to import the grapes and name his product after Brussels’ patron saint.

Gudule Winery Brussels has two reds, two whites and one rosé nearly ready for the market. Eleven grape varieties have been used, though details of which varieties and from what producers is not yet known. In about two weeks, the wines – with names like Afterwork en terrasse and Dîner en ville – will be available.

The winery plans to produce 30,000 bottles a year to sell locally in gourmet shops, organic food stores, restaurants and from the winery itself, which will hold tastings. All of the wines are organic; Gudule is housed in Greenbizz Brussels, a co-operative space for eco-oriented businesses in Laeken.

Photo courtesy Gudule Winery Brussels