You launched Pedro's (OPS Wines) during the Covid lockdowns, helping the community through wine deliveries and recommendations. Can you tell us about those early days and how that shaped the business and customer loyalty you still have today?

I started the first steps of this journey with a very humble pop-up wine bar on Druid Street in August 2019. We had just five tables and shared the space with Natoora, my former employer.

When COVID hit, we transformed the business to adapt to the circumstances. We began selling essential items like fruit and vegetables (sourced from Natoora), bread (from The Little Bread Pedlar), and ice cream (from Ice Cream Union), among other things. From the beginning, we’ve always been deeply committed to working with and supporting other local businesses.

We noticed many people in the community were struggling to get essential items due to shortages in supermarkets and limited delivery slots. So we stepped in to help where we could and, despite the uncertainty and challenges, we managed to keep going.

Through those difficult times, we got to know our customers on a much deeper level. Many of them have since become friends relationships that continue to this day.

You’ve spoken about a moment of clarity in a London restaurant that sparked the idea for Pedro's. Can you take us back to that moment and how it led you to create a business rooted in your Portuguese heritage?

The idea first sparked during a dinner at the Sky Garden in April 2016. I noticed a bottle of Portuguese Vinho Verde being sold at an absurdly high price and it wasn’t even a particularly good one, just a very basic, inexpensive wine back in Portugal. That moment really stuck with me.

It pushed me to start learning more and eventually build a solid business plan. I began saving money with a more focused and ambitious mindset. At the time, my goal was to become a wine importer opening a wine bar or restaurant wasn’t even on my radar yet.

What brought you to Druid Street, and why did Bermondsey feel like the right place to build Pedro's?

I’ve always felt a strong connection to Bermondsey. In the 13 years I’ve lived in London, I’ve lived and worked in Bermondsey or around the SE1 area.

Druid Street became the home for my business because, at the time, I managed to secure a trading space for a pop-up wine bar, sharing the unit with Natoora. Originally, my business model focused on wholesale and e-commerce, but it quickly became clear that it was draining my resources without much return. I had to adapt and that’s when I made the shift to opening a wine bar at Unit 108 Druid Street.

After two years of growth, it became unsustainable to continue sharing the unit with Natoora. So, we moved just a few doors down and, at the request of our regular loyal customers, rebranded from OPS Wines to Pedro’s Wine Bar - now located at Unit 128 Druid Street.

‍What’s the mission behind Pedro's, and how do you go about selecting the Portuguese wines you introduce to the UK market? What makes a wine ‘right’ for OPS?

We proudly focus on working with small, passionate producers who truly care about the quality of their wines. We carefully select wines that are of exceptional quality and, whenever possible, not yet available in the UK market.

We take the time to meet our producers in person, taste their wines, and understand the stories and values behind their projects. Our goal is to build long-lasting relationships based on mutual respect, paying them fairly and on time, and doing our part to support their businesses and their families.

We had the pleasure of experiencing the dining at Pedro's, and it honestly felt like being transported to the Portuguese coast. The food was sensational. Can you share more about the menu philosophy, the ingredients you use, and your approach to bringing that Portuguese feeling to South London?

We are incredibly proud of our Portuguese heritage and culture. We believe Portuguese cuisine and wines are still hugely underrated, and we're on a mission to change that. Our focus is on sourcing high-quality, fresh local ingredients and preparing them in a way that transports people straight to Portugal through both flavour and presentation. Our food concept is based on petiscos the Portuguese version of small plates (not to be confused with tapas). Each dish is thoughtfully designed to pair beautifully with our elegant, carefully selected wines.

Pedro's has also become known as a beautiful setting for weddings and events. What role does this side of the business play, and how do you create a meaningful, personal experience for couples and their guests?

The idea of hosting weddings came to me during my own honeymoon. We had our wedding reception at the wine bar it was actually the very first time we welcomed guests into the new space. Shortly after, we went on a short honeymoon, and while enjoying some time away, my wife and I kept thinking about how beautiful the wine bar looked and how much fun we’d had. That’s when the idea sparked: why not create that same experience for other couples?

We decided to take it seriously and even looked into obtaining a civil wedding and partnership license, aiming to offer a complete, all-in-one experience. Since then, we’ve hosted 42 weddings over the past three years. Each one has taught us something new, and we’ve worked hard to make the process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible for our couples.

Our goal is always to deliver a relaxed, intimate celebration with exceptional food and wine and the feedback has been consistently five stars, something we’re truly proud of.

Being located on the Bermondsey Beer Mile gives you a unique energy and flow of foot traffic. How does that setting impact your day-to-day and your connection with the local scene?

We’re not part of the Beer Mile and we've never tried to be as we are proudly a wine bar with a completely different focus. That said, we do offer a Portuguese lager and welcome guests who enjoy both wine and beer.

We share many regulars with some of the local breweries, and it’s natural for us to co-exist in the area. There's a great sense of community, and we support each other whenever needed. I’m even a personal customer of a few of the breweries and genuinely believe they produce fantastic beers, it's simply a different business model and atmosphere from ours.

What has been one of the most memorable or rewarding pieces of feedback you’ve received from a customer?

I’ve been lucky to experience many wonderful moments and receive remarkable feedback from clients over the years from well-known names like Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, to Nick Wheeler, the founder of Charles Tyrwhitt, and many others.

But the moment that touched me the most came shortly after the COVID lockdown. Two different couples brought me gifts and said, “You saved our lives.” I was genuinely shocked. I had never realised how impactful my actions were during that time delivering essential items like bread, milk, and fresh produce. For some people, those small acts made a huge difference.

It was incredibly humbling. We’ve remained friends ever since, and still talk regularly even though some of them have never actually been clients at Pedro’s Wine Bar. That kind of connection means more to me than anything.

How has being based in Bermondsey influenced your business mindset or approach? In what ways do you feel Pedro's contributes to the local community?

Living in Bermondsey or around for the past 13 years and working at Natoora was a transformative experience. It taught me the true value of quality, uniqueness, and staying focused on a clear vision. Being part of their journey from a small team of just 30 people to an international company with over 200 staff gave me a new perspective on growth and business. Growing alongside such a dynamic company pushed me to my limits, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.

With my own business, I’ve made it a priority to stay rooted in the local community sourcing locally and employing people from all backgrounds and ethnicities. Our aim is to contribute to the positive transformation of Druid Street, helping to bring new energy and a brighter future to the area. It’s exciting to see people now coming from all across London to experience what Druid Street has to offer, getting married, dining outside as been a gorgeous journey so far, I will like ton take the opportunity to thank to everyone who help us in this journey.

What are you most excited about for the future of Pedro's - any plans or developments you can share with us?

You guys need to follow us on Instagram for more developments, we are super excited for the future.

When you’re not working, where’s your favourite Bermondsey spot to unwind or grab a bite?

I love to go to Flour and Grape, Cafe  Amisha, and Kernel brewery, cheese from Neal's Yard, what's not to love in Bermondsey!

If you weren’t in the wine business, what do you think you'd be doing instead?

Drinking loads of wine on holidays!

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