VINOTECA BOROUGH TO OFFICIALLY OPEN ON MONDAY 14TH FEBRUARY

On Monday 14th February, wine bar and restaurant Vinoteca Borough, will officially open on bustling Stoney Street in the new Borough Yards development, looking out on to Borough Market and the atmospheric Southwark Cathedral. Located within a Victorian railway arch, Vinoteca Borough’s wine list will be dedicated to independent, sustainable producers and food menus will follow a similar, carefully sourced approach.

The Design:

Vinoteca Borough’s design is defined by the site itself: within a once forgotten railway arch on one of the streets framing Borough Market. The cathedral scaled, raw-brick space encapsulates the spirit of a wine cellar, a feature further enhanced by the many bottles which will line the walls.

Bi-folding doors will open out onto Stoney Street in the summer months, reveal an expansive bar and high-top tables for drinks or dining. An open kitchen adds a touch of theatricality, along with a bold coloured mural which frames the double heighted space.

The mezzanine floor is another striking aspect of Vinoteca Borough’s design, particularly with the view straight down to the cathedral. Deep red comfy banquettes line the walls, rustic oak floors and a more traditional dining set up – including tables for large groups – are to be found here. 

The Wine List:

Vinoteca has an unwavering approach to wine: championing small, independent producers making innovative styles. Founders Brett and Charlie have always set out to make wine accessible, with the wine list divided into digestible sections, such as ‘Fresh, Lighter Whites’ or ‘Full-bodied, Deeper Reds’ and brief descriptions provided for every wine. 

Highlights will include Vinoteca’s very own wine, Rodney & The Horse, producing both a Riesling and a Shiraz, wild-fermented and from a single-vineyard in the Clare Valley, Australia. Elsewhere, Crystal Croatina Pet Nat (2020) from grapes picked in Northern Italy, but made by Renegade Urban Winery in Bethnal Green, is a perfect example of Vinoteca’s quest for wineries with a story and compelling approach. Similarly, Papegaai White Blend (2020) is made Adi Badenhorst, a producer friend based in South Africa. A wine the Vinoteca team love for its savoury, minerally taste and aromas of grass and peach.

The Food:

Vinoteca Borough will channel a similar approach to their food offering, celebrating carefully sourced and seasonal produce – with Borough Market neighbours like Ginger Pig, Flor and Neal’s Yard supplying meat, bread and cheeses – through regularly changing menus and signature dishes. 

The menu will comprise of ‘Bar Snacks and Small Plates’ encompassing the likes of Cornish sardines escabeche; Burrata, radicchio, blood orange and fennel; and Creedy Carver duck liver pate with piccalilli and sourdough. 

For mains, Vinoteca’s signature Grilled marinated bavette steak, watercress, horseradish and chips will feature alongside delicate Whole Cornish plaice, salsify, purple sprouting broccoli and lemon butter and more hearty Mutton, Guinness and forest mushroom pie with caramelised celeriac and rainbow chard. 

Breakfast will be served all week, with brunch on Saturday and Sunday, with options for those wishing to drop in and grab a freshly baked Croissant and Coffee. There will be more substantial choices too, for visitors seeking a leisurely brunch. Expect Potato rösti, roast Datterini tomatoes, bacon and fried egg and Toulouse sausage, haricot beans, tomatoes, croissant and, perhaps accompanied by a Seasonal Bellini or Bloody Mary. 

The People:

Created by Elena Ares, Brett Woonton and Charlie Young, Vinoteca Borough will be the group’s sixth site. During Brett and Charlie’s 17 years working together, the pair have always strived to capture the spirit of Spanish and Italian enotecas and vinotecas, through a combination of culture, conviviality and operating with a retail element.  

With over ten years of experience at highly respected Enotria Wine Cellars and Liberty Wines, Brett has an enviable knowledge of the British wine trade with particular emphasis on the wines of Italy. Young, meanwhile, comes from the world of hospitality, with experience in the Channel Islands, West Indies, Germany and England, before moving to the drinks trade.

Over the years they have championed an accessible yet exciting approach to wine, a mission which has led to the establishment of various initiatives and workshops. For instance, Monday Cork Club will be a firm fixture at Vinoteca Borough, where regulars are gifted a cork keyring, enabling them to pay retail price only on wines every Monday.

Vinoteca Borough will officially open on Monday 14th February, with booking available here.