Move over France, Italy and Spain, there’s a new winemaking hot spot and its name is Kilburn.

Kensal to Kilburn Fruit Harvesters have teamed up with the Priory Tavern pub to produce bottles of wine made from a blend of crab apples picked in Kilburn, Worcester Reds from St John’s Wood, and a few Galas to balance the flavours.

Merlin Griffiths, the pub’s landlord and wine maker, said: “It’s tremendous to see local harvesting and foraging in a city, and amazing to make use of fruit that would otherwise go to waste.

“I want to show people that for only a small investment you can have a lot of fun making wine.”

A special wine tasting event including a talk on how the vino was produced will take place at the Priory Tavern in Belsize Road, Kilburn, next week.

Janey McAllester, who co-ordinates picks for Kensal to Kilburn Fruit Harvesters, said:, “This is the first year we’ve turned some our local fruit into alcohol – all thanks to the Priory Tavern. “We’re looking forward to tasting it and hope people will join us to try it out, and find out more about harvesting local fruit and wine-making.”

Last year the harvesters donated 1.5 tons of locally grown apples, pears and plums to local schools and charities which were used to make delicious juice, chutney and jam.

The group reduces waste by harvesting fruit that would otherwise fall to the ground and rot in local gardens.

The free apple wine tasting event takes place at the Priory Tavern on March 18 from 7.30pm. For more information email kensaltokilburnharvesters@gmail.com.