Case study
How an IWSC judge discovered his next wine addition.
Our judges frequently find new listings and partnerships as a result of their experiences working with the IWSC. Learn how Sunny Hodge discovered the wines of Barbare Winery and forged a commercial relationship thanks to IWSC Global Judging in Turkey.
Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you're not looking for them. When Sunny Hodge, the founder of London’s cult wine bars Diogenes the Dog and Aspen & Meursault, travelled to Turkey to judge for the IWSC, he wasn’t necessarily on the hunt for new wines. But one Rhône-style blend from Barbare Winery stopped him in his tracks. Less than a year later, that same wine now pours by the glass in his bars. Here’s how active buyers like Sunny discover new wines through the IWSC.
The Philosopher and the Rebel
Hodge isn’t your typical wine bar owner. A mechanical engineering graduate turned wine educator and author, he’s built his reputation on challenging wine’s conventional norms. His first venue, Diogenes the Dog in Elephant & Castle, takes its name from the Greek philosopher known for defying tradition - fitting for a wine bar that spotlights offbeat regions and unconventional producers. "We have a small and concise list, so it's not abnormal to have single listings per country," explains Hodge. "It fits in well as our list is compiled of considerably quirky wines."
This ethos made him the perfect candidate for IWSC’s Global Judging programme – an initiative designed to bring world-class judges directly into wine regions, giving producers invaluable exposure to decision-makers like Hodge.
Barbare Winery: A Turkish Revelation
During the 2025 in-situ judging in Thrace, Hodge encountered Barbare Winery – a boutique estate perched above the Marmara Sea, where organic Rhône-style blends are crafted under the guidance of celebrated French oenologist Xavier Vignon.
One wine, the Barbare Nova Sarap Üretimi Premier Elegance 2020, particularly impressed the judging panel, earning a Gold medal (95 points) for its “complex layers of spice, smoke, and leather” and “exceptional fruit concentration.”
Barbare’s success didn’t stop there. They also claimed Silver medals for their Premier Merlot 2012 and Pinot Noir 2022, and a Bronze for Premier Syrah 2020 - a pretty solid sweep for a winery of any size.
From Vineyard Visit to London Listing
Within months, Hodge added the Xavier Vignon X Barbare GSM blend to his wine list – the first Turkish wine ever to feature in his venues. Sourced through Vignon’s Côte du Rhône operations, the wine is now available by the glass, carafe and bottle at both Diogenes the Dog and Aspen & Meursault.
“We’ve had superb feedback from guests. The wine is incredibly accessible and often likened to Châteauneuf-du-Pape,” says Hodge.
With 120 bottles sold across two venues in six months and a second shipment on its way, demand continues to grow. The wine is also reaching other bars and restaurants via Hodge’s wholesale network and is available for retail online - giving Barbare Winery its first foothold in the UK market.
The Ripple Effect
Hodge’s Turkish discovery was no one-off. Inspired by his experience, he reached out to several other IWSC medal-winning producers from regions as diverse as Japan, Georgia and Armenia. While not every conversation led to a listing, they exemplify the Global Judging programme’s power to create meaningful connections between producers and buyers.
Could Your Wine Be Next?
To learn more about IWSC’s Global Judging programme and how it can help your region reach international buyers, email marketing@iwsc.net.