London-based Vagabond is bringing its first U.S. location to 1000 Division Street in The Gulch, where the concept is expected to open in late 2026, according to the Nashville Post.
Founded by Vanderbilt University alumnus Stephen Finch, the original Vagabond concept launched in London 16 years ago and built its reputation around a self-pour wine experience that allows guests to sample and compare wines at their own pace. Finch told WhatNow Nashville that the Nashville project is an independent recreation of the concept and is not affiliated with the U.K. business, which is now owned by private equity investors.
According to the Nashville Post, the Nashville location will feature approximately 100 wines on tap, seasonal food offerings, self-pour beer, and a dedicated Tennessee whiskey section.
For Finch, the project marks a return to a city that has changed considerably since his college days. He told WhatNow Nashville that Nashville’s evolving culinary scene reminds him of London’s transformation into a globally recognized dining destination.
“I can remember visiting London as a kid when the UK’s reputation for food was dreadful and deservedly so,” Finch said. “Now London’s dining scene is truly world-class. That sort of culinary Pygmalion is what I’m seeing unfold here in Nashville.”
Those similarities extend beyond food. Finch said that when Vagabond first launched, younger consumers in the U.K. were gravitating toward craft beer, cocktails, and ready-to-drink beverages, while wine struggled to connect with a new generation.
“The entire UK wine industry was utterly failing to engage the younger demographic,” Finch said. “But I had a hunch that the problem wasn’t wine itself, but rather the industry’s failure to engage that younger demographic in a way that was authentic, experiential, empowering, and true.”
Finch believes Nashville is at a similar point today. While the city remains known for beer and whiskey, he sees growing interest in wine and believes consumers are looking for more engaging ways to explore it.
“The similarities between London then and Nashville now are too many to ignore,” Finch said. “Wine is about to have its moment.”
The Nashville location will also feature a dedicated self-serve Tennessee whiskey section, an addition designed specifically for the local market.
“I want to get shamelessly behind Tennessee spirits,” Finch said. “We’ll probably include a few spirits from outside Tennessee in there for reference, which is really the best way to highlight the quality, character, and value of our local booze.”
As the brand prepares for its Nashville debut, Finch is betting that Music City is ready for its own wine renaissance.
