The winners of London Wine Fair’s Wine Buyers Awards – now in their sixth year – were announced on 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 Manager. 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 Jamie Tonkin from Old Chapel Cellars
[sponsored by Mentzendorff]
Multiple Venue Independent Merchant Wine Buyer Nicolas Rezzouk from Reserve Wines
[sponsored by Mentzendorff]
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 Victoria Anderson of Booths [sponsored by Felix Solis]
Rising Star Wine Buyer Award Zara Cassidy of Majestic [sponsored by Hatch Mansfield]
Best On-Trade Wine Buying Team Firmdale Hotels [sponsored by Hillebrand Gori]
Best Off-Trade Wine Buying Team The Wine Society
[sponsored by Hillebrand Gori]
Single Venue Sustainable Wine Buyer Verity Sessions from Palate Bottle Shop
[sponsored by Domaine Bousquet]
Multiple Venue Sustainable Wine Buyer Joe Olding from Tesco
[sponsored by Domaine Bousquet]
Sustainable Wine Buying Team The Wine Society
[sponsored by Domaine Bousquet]
General Excellence in Wine Buying Award Simon Taylor of Stone Vine and Sun
Overall Wine Buyer of the Year Sunny Hodge, Diogenes the 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 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.
