James Dawson is a South African-born wine entrepreneur and restaurateur best known as the founder of Humble Grape and owner of Vivat Bacchus, two celebrated London restaurant groups that combine exceptional wine with unpretentious, high-quality dining.

Originally from South Africa, James arrived in the UK with just £50 in his pocket to begin a new career in social work. When that opportunity fell through, he found himself sleeping rough on a park bench – an unlikely start for someone who would go on to become one of London’s most respected figures in the wine and hospitality industry.

James soon pivoted into finance, joining HSBC’s wine trading desk in Paris by his late 20s. What began as a six-week placement turned into two years of immersion in French viniculture, during which he spent weekends touring wine regions and deepening his expertise. Over the following years, his passion for wine evolved into a profession: he completed wine qualifications, hosted tastings, and began importing and selling fine wines to restaurants.

In 2014, with a cellar full of exceptional wines and a desire to share them more directly, James launched Humble Grape, becoming the first UK hospitality business to successfully crowdfund, raising £500,000 to open its first site in Battersea. From humble beginnings, serving fine wines and simple toasties, Humble Grape quickly rose to the top of London’s TripAdvisor rankings and expanded to six vibrant neighbourhood wine bars across the city (soon to be seven with the opening of Bow Lane), offering an approachable, community-driven experience.

In 2022, James took on Vivat Bacchus, a long-established London restaurant group known for its South African-inspired cuisine and extensive wine cellar. Embracing his heritage, he revitalised the brand by refocusing the menu on authentic South African classics such as crocodile, ostrich, and frikkadel, all while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to quality.

Today, James Dawson stands as a leading voice in London’s wine and restaurant scene, an industry expert whose journey from the streets of Johannesburg to the heart of London hospitality reflects resilience, innovation, and a lifelong passion for great wine and food.