Wine Wharf

The area in London’s Southwark that lies between Southwark Bridge Road and London Bridge will soon be given a Royal Warrant and dubbed Vinopolis Quarter for Vinopolis’ contributions to fine tippling. Along the short stretch between Vinopolis’ northernmost HQ and Del Mercato in the south you can find Beer Wharf, a temple to premium ale, and Wine Wharf, Beer Wharf’s more strictly oenological sibling. Wine Wharf makes the most of its Stoney Street location, setting an informal wine bar and kitchen in a Victorian-era railway engineering works, right next to Borough Market and London Bridge Station.

Wine Wharf assures us that their wine list is representative of the entire world’s wine producing regions. It’s a statement, delivered with such a casual air, whose ambition is, on reflection, jaw-dropping. But that’s how London’s Vinopolis like to roll – their various Southwark bars, restaurants, and tasting rooms are the epitome of alcoholic connoisseurship, and Wine Wharf is no different when it comes the prevailing ethos of completist, understated perfectionism. Wine Wharf is different enough, however, to encourage regular patrons of Vinopolis’ HQ up the road, or the neighbouring Brew Wharf, to check out Wine Wharf’s Stoney Street premises and unique offering.

Inside, spread across two levels, Wine Wharf’s decor melds the retro-industrial chic of its Victorian-era warehouse premises with plush, modern furnishings. The result is the perfect atmosphere to enjoy one of the hundreds of old- and new-world wines crying out to be tried from the wine list. Each wine is selected individually by Vinopolis’ expert sommeliers. Merlot, sauvignon, grenache, riesling, cabernet and chardonnay, pinot gris and pinot noir – all and more are represented here. Matched with a tidbit from the canapés menu, the finger food buffet, or a bowl for bigger appetites and you have a winner of a lazy afternoon or evening on your hands. Southwark’s Wine Wharf can up the tempo, too, transforming in to a fantastic private hire venue that’s attracting bookings from all over London. The mezzanine alone at Wine Wharf’s spacious Stoney Street premises can accommodate up to 120 people, while downstairs can pack in another 70.