London is home to countless wine bars, but few offer an experience quite like Lady of the Grapes. Now bringing its celebrated concept to London Bridge, complete with the intimate, speakeasy-inspired Forbidden Fruit tucked beneath the historic arches, it blends classic wine bar charm with a refreshing sense of discovery.
This is not simply a place to enjoy a great glass of wine. It is a destination dedicated to celebrating the women who have shaped the wine world for generations yet have so often remained in the background.
Lady of the Grapes invites us to discover exceptional wines, remarkable stories, and a fresh perspective on one of the world’s oldest industries.
More Than a Wine Bar: A Movement in a Glass
What makes Lady of the Grapes so compelling is that every bottle on the list has been chosen with purpose.
While many wine bars focus on regions, styles, or trends, Lady of the Grapes shines a spotlight on the people behind the wines, specifically female winemakers.
The concept was born from founder Carole Bryon’s observation that women often receive less recognition within the industry, despite playing vital roles in vineyards, wineries, and wine production itself all around the world.
Rather than making a statement through slogans alone, the venue allows for the wines to speak for themselves. I arrived expecting a wine bar and left having discovered global talent. Instead, I felt that the education I gained was much more valuable, and without becoming preachy, sophistication was maintained consistently through the evening.
In an industry where tradition often dominates, I can confidently say that Lady of the Grapes quietly proves that change can be delicious too.
The Woman with a Wine-Fueled Mission
Every great venue has a visionary behind it, and Lady of the Grapes is unmistakably the reflection of Carole Bryon’s passion. Parisian restaurateur and wine expert, my respect has easily been earned with this fantastic project.
Bryon transitioned into the wine world after a successful career in advertising. As she immersed herself in the industry, she became increasingly aware of the imbalance between the recognition given to male and female wine professionals. That realisation became the catalyst for what would eventually become Lady of the Grapes.
What I find most fascinating about Carole is that she isn’t simply running a business; she’s creating a platform. Her goal has always been to encourage people to drink more thoughtfully, support independent producers, and discover wines made with care and integrity.
Much of the list focuses on organic, biodynamic, and natural winemaking, reflecting her belief that wine should be as honest as the people producing it.
The result is a venue that feels deeply personal. I didn’t get the sense that I was drinking from a commercially curated list. Instead, I felt as though I was exploring a collection assembled by someone who genuinely believes every bottle deserves its place.
The Bottles That Steal the Spotlight
If the mission draws you in, the wine list is what keeps you coming back.
The beauty of Lady of the Grapes isn’t simply that the list is extensive—it’s that every bottle has a story worth telling.
One standout is the Domaine de Bellivière Jasnières “Les Rosiers” Chenin Blanc, crafted by the late Clément and Laure-Anne Nicolas in the Loire Valley. Elegant yet vibrant, it bursts with crisp green apple, quince and citrus before unfolding into layers of honey, wet stone and delicate white flowers. Its bright acidity makes it an exceptional companion to seafood and creamy French cheeses.
If you’re looking for something with a little more depth, the COS Frappato from Sicily is impossible to ignore. Light in body but wonderfully expressive, it offers aromas of wild strawberries, sour cherry and rose petals with subtle herbal notes that reflect the island’s volcanic landscape. It drinks almost like a Pinot Noir with Mediterranean sunshine.
For sparkling lovers, Lady of the Grapes also champions female-led Champagne houses, including beautifully crafted grower Champagnes that deliver toasted brioche, citrus peel and fine mineral freshness without the commercial feel of the larger labels. Every sip feels thoughtful, refined and wonderfully food-friendly. Within this category, I dove into the Clos Cibonne Tibouren Rosé – a savoury Provençal rosé with strawberry, herbs and saline minerality. The perfect refreshment combined in one bottle.
Calling all fruity wine connoisseurs, the La Stoppa Ageno is the best choice. One of Italy’s iconic orange wines, full of dried apricot, tea, citrus peel and spice, it is guaranteed to bless your palate in multiple directions.
What impressed me most wasn’t simply the quality of the wines, but how effortlessly the staff connected every bottle back to the woman behind it. Every recommendation became less of an order and more of a story.
Restaurant food at the very highest level
As impressive as the wine programme is, the food deserves just as much attention. This isn’t a menu designed simply to accompany the wine—it confidently stands on its own.
Inspired by modern French bistro cooking, the kitchen focuses on beautifully sourced ingredients prepared with restraint and precision. Every dish feels elegant without becoming fussy, allowing the produce to do the talking. The snacks really set the tone. Weighty gougères with a crispy golden bottom arrive warm from the oven, their crisp, golden shells giving way to a rich, molten centre of Époisses béchamel. Deeply savoury, gently pungent and irresistibly creamy.
The Courgette Farcie with herb purée and rosemary sauce is one of the undeniable stars of the menu. A delicately stuffed courgette, tender yet retaining a gentle bite, paired with a vivid herb purée and a fragrant rosemary sauce that brings warmth and depth to the dish. A very generous starter.
The standout dish – A Monkfish with Bouillabaisse Sauce. This was the work of a genius. Meaty monkfish is served with a deeply aromatic bouillabaisse sauce, its saffron and seafood richness lifted by a bold, garlicky Bouillabaisse rouille. This provided different textures and flavours. Rouille is really underused in French cooking in my opinion so to have it sitting alongside the fish was utterly delicious. One of the best dishes of the year so far.
Desserts are just as good – Paris-Brest with hazelnut cream is as it should be, balancing a delicate crunch with rich, nutty sweetness. The menu captures exactly what Lady of the Grapes represents: quality over excess, thoughtful craftsmanship and a celebration of the people behind every ingredient.
A New Chapter Beneath the Arches of London Bridge
While Lady of the Grapes has long been a hidden gem in Covent Garden, its next chapter feels even more ambitious.
This summer, Carole Bryon is bringing her celebrated concept south of the river with the launch of Lady of the Grapes London Bridge, housed within the historic Menier Chocolate Factory, and just moments from Borough Market.
I was immediately taken aback by this new venue. It is truly a significant evolution of the brand. As I walked around the two floors of a Grade II-listed Victorian building, I felt as though I was watching a convergence of modern mixology with English history.
Upstairs, I discovered the bright, 60-seat restaurant flooded with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, alongside a 20-seat terrace. Perfect for long lunches and golden hour aperitifs.
But with this particular venue, it’s about what’s hidden beneath that truly sparked my curiosity.
Descending downstairs, I came across Forbidden Fruit, an intimate speakeasy-style wine bar set among exposed brickwork and history-vaulted cellars. With room for 45 guests, it promises a more atmospheric, after-dark experience where rare wines, charcuterie, and conversation take the spotlight.
The move to London Bridge feels like a natural fit. Surrounded by the energy of Borough Market and one of London’s most exciting food destinations, Lady of the Grapes is positioning itself at the heart of the capital’s culinary scene while staying true to its mission of championing exceptional female winemakers.
It’s larger, bolder, and perhaps more importantly, offers even more space for wine lovers to discover their next favourite bottle.
Every Glass Tells a Different Story
What makes the wine list at Lady of the Grapes so captivating isn’t simply its breadth; it’s the sense of adventure poured into every glass.
Rather than relying on familiar labels, the selection invites you to wander through vineyards shaped by remarkable women, from crisp Austrian pét-nats and elegant English sparkling wines to expressive Loire Valley whites, volcanic Sicilian reds, and beautifully balanced Bordeaux. Every bottle feels like an introduction to a new voice, each bringing its own character, history, and perspective.
I found myself drawn to the unexpected. A vibrant pétillant naturel offered an energetic, almost playful start to the evening, while a beautifully textured orange wine challenged everything I thought I knew about Sauvignon Blanc. Even the fortified selection felt thoughtfully curated, with everything from refined Madeira to complex sherries proving that great wine extends far beyond the classics.
What I appreciated most, however, was the freedom to explore. The by-the-glass menu encourages curiosity over commitment, making it just as rewarding to discover an unfamiliar grape as it is to revisit an old favourite. There is no pressure to know everything; in fact, Lady of the Grapes seems to celebrate not knowing, because that’s where the best discoveries begin.
In many ways, the wine list reflects the venue itself: confident without being intimidating, refined without feeling exclusive, and endlessly rewarding for those willing to venture beyond the obvious.
The Women Behind the Vine
One of the most rewarding aspects of visiting Lady of the Grapes is discovering the remarkable women responsible for the wines themselves. Across Europe and beyond, female winemakers are producing some of the most exciting wines the world has seen, yet many remain underrepresented compared to their male counterparts.
Lady of the Grapes works to change that narrative by sourcing from talented growers whose stories deserve greater visibility. Many of these producers are small-scale artisans, working family-owned vineyards and embracing sustainable farming practices. Some are continuing generations-old traditions, while others are refining what modern winemaking can look like. Some of these incredible winemakers include Marielle Cazaux, Chateau La Conseillante (France), Jeanne Vito, Springfontein (South Africa), and many others who span the globe. Each of these is honoring their region with organic and natural wines, bringing familiar and new tastes to the table.
By choosing these wines, I became part of a wider movement supporting diversity, craftsmanship, and independent production. It was a reminder to me that every bottle represents years of dedication, countless decisions in the vineyard, and often a woman whose contribution might otherwise go unnoticed.
That connection transforms the act of drinking wine into something far more meaningful.
One Last Sip
In a city overflowing with wine bars, Lady of the Grapes manages to achieve something truly rare: it makes every glass feel meaningful. Long after the final glass is poured, it’s not just the wine I remembered. It’s the stories shared across the table, the producers discovered for the first time, and the feeling that I’ve stumbled across something genuinely special.
And perhaps that’s the magic of Lady of the Grapes. It’s not simply a place to drink wine. It’s a place to discover the people behind it.
To discover more, visit: ladyofthegrapes.com
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All photos courtesy of Lady of the Grapes.