May 20, 2025 — The winners of London Wine Fair’s Wine Buyers Awards – now in their sixth year – were announced today (Tuesday, 20th May) at the show’s Centre Stage. The ceremony was co-hosted by Hannah Tovey, Director of London Wine Fair and Chris Losh, Competition Director. New for 2025 was the “Sustainable Buyer” award category reflecting how environmental impact is now a vital consideration and responsibility across all professional wine buying areas.
The winners
| Single Venue Independent Merchant Wine Buyer [sponsored by Mentzendorff] | Jamie Tonkin from Old Chapel Cellars |
| Multiple Venue Independent Merchant Wine Buyer [sponsored by Mentzendorff] | Nicolas Rezzouk from Reserve Wines |
| On-Trade Single Venue Wine Buyer | Sam Weatherill from Etch by Steven Edwards |
| On-Trade Multiple Venue Wine Buyer | Sunny Hodge from Diogenes the Dog |
| Supermarket & Multiples Wine Buyer [sponsored by Felix Solis] | Victoria Anderson of Booths |
| Rising Star Wine Buyer Award [sponsored by Hatch Mansfield] | Zara Cassidy of Majestic |
| Best On-Trade Wine Buying Team [sponsored by Hillebrand Gori] | Firmdale Hotels |
| Best Off-Trade Wine Buying Team [sponsored by Hillebrand Gori] | The Wine Society |
| Small Business Sustainable Wine Buyer [sponsored by Domaine Bousquet] | Verity Sessions from Palate Bottle Shop |
| Multiple Venue Sustainable Wine Buyer [sponsored by Domaine Bousquet] | Joe Olding from Tesco |
| Sustainable Wine Buying Team [sponsored by Domaine Bousquet] | The Wine Society |
| General Excellence in Wine Buying Award | Simon Taylor of Stone Vine and Sun |
| Overall Wine Buyer of the Year | Sunny Hodge, Diogenesthe Dog |
The judges’ comments for Overall Wine Buyer of the Year winner, Sunny Hodges, included: “Sunny combines a truly original and distinctive vision with trade clout—importing directly, innovating in sustainability, and elevating experience with intelligence and without compromise, making him a game-changer for the on-trade.”
“He’s set out to create his version of what venues should be – and is uncompromising in sticking to it.”
“This isn’t about having a large range of wines’ they said of our winner ‘it’s about being a great buyer. There’s real vision and drive here.”
The overall sponsors of the awards are Consorzio di Tutela Conegliano Valdobbiadene. Commenting, Diego Tomasi, Director of the Consorzio, said: “The Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG is proud to sponsor the Wine Buyer Awards, celebrating those who champion exceptional wines. This partnership reflects the region’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and the stories behind every bottle.”
Judging panel
- Sarah Abbott MW,founder and CEO of Swirl Wine Group, co-founder Old Vine Conference,
- Genna Ash-Brown, Editor, Dine Out Magazine
- Natalie Earl, Regional Editor for France (excluding Bordeaux), Decanter
- Anthony Borges, Gardenhurst, Great Horkesley
- Anne Jones, Wine Sustainability Consultant, Limestone & Jones
- Martin Lam, Food, Wine and Restaurant Consultant
- Angela Mount, wine consultant and former Head of Wine Buying for Somerfield
- Christine Parkinson, Co-founder World Alcohol Free Awards
- Ronan Sayburn MS, CEO for Court of Master Sommeliers Europe
- Patrick Schmitt MW, Editor In Chief, The Drinks Business
- Hal Wilson, co-founder and wine buyer, Cambridge Wine Merchants.
- Clem Yates MW, Independent Wine Consultant
- Charlie Young, Wine & Drinks Buyer
Nominations for the 2026 Wine Buyers Awards will open in the Autumn, via londonwinefair.com @londonwinefair | #WineBuyersAward
About the Wine Buyers Awards
Since they launched in 2020, the London Wine Fair’s Wine Buyers Awards have recognised excellence in wine buying across all sectors and recognises the UK’s best professional wine buyers – both individuals and teams – acknowledging the influence they have on creating trends and offering value, quality and innovation across their ranges, as well as inspiring the next generation of the industry.
