Vinoteca - Borough Yards

Popped in for a glass of wine and nibbles with a friend. Place was packed on a Friday night, but we managed to secure a spot at the bar. In the heart of Borough Market so lots to do and eat. Friendly staff, nice atmosphere, and food was good. Great wine selection though and the staff are helpful and knowledgeable to support you through the huge lists of all varieties and regions. They also have great wine events so worthwhile popping on their website and planning ahead.

We thought this was a really good night out for a special night out. All five guests loved our food ( that’s starters, main and pudding), and for me, the steak was cooked by someone who really knows how to grill. The Chef clearly controls the quality of the food going out of their kitchen and knows how to flavour. Choice of wines excellent. Prosecco delicious. Table service friendly and attentive even though they were packed. We loved the door guy. Borough market in general is a great, lively venue. The only down side was that it was a touch expensive working out at £100 per head ( we did go a bit large ) . I get it, high rents, staffing. The acid test, would we go again - Yes.

The Carignan Vielles Vignes 2023 arrives unassuming but departs unforgettable—a perfect companion for this joyful warrior taking refuge at Vinoteca's bar while anticipating dinner at OMA. In these moments between destinations, I find myself doing what The Turtle Chronicles has always been about: carrying home on my back while discovering new terrain. This old vine charmer embodies our shared philosophy—quiet determination paired with unexpected joy. It comes swinging with prizefighter confidence, delivering dark fruit complexity that belies its humble heritage. Like the stories of resilience I've gathered from cultural borderlands, this wine speaks of roots that run deep and wisdom earned through seasons of challenge. Blackberries tumble across the palate with the same bold honesty I've tried to bring to these chronicles—an honesty that builds bridges where walls once stood. The subtle tobacco notes provide an intellectual depth, reminding me of conversations shared with strangers-turned-friends across continents. With each sip, a peppery tickle dances at the edge of your senses—teasing, never overwhelming—leaving spicy footprints that linger as evidence of its visit. This persistent spirit echoes our mantra: "Shell strong, glass full, torch lit." The wine's herbaceous qualities showcase mature restraint, offering verdant complexity without wandering into superficial territory—much like the stories of outsiders I've collected that reveal profound humanity rather than mere difference. This Carignan proves that sometimes the most meaningful encounters come not from exhaustive searching but from the courage to be present in unexpected moments. As someone who knows what it means to stand apart from the crowd, I recognize in this wine a kindred spirit—something that transforms the unfamiliar into sanctuary, that turns a simple bar stool into a moment of belonging. In sharing this wine with you through these words, I'm doing what The Turtle Chronicles has always aimed to do: leaving people and experiences better than I found them, turning the ordinary into vessels of extraordinary connection. Like the turtle facing storms with courage, we raise our glasses and keep swimming through whatever life sends our way.