Sunny Hodge is the founder of two renowned London wine bars and a recognised disruptor in the wine trade. With a background in hospitality and a passion for truth-telling, Hodge has built a reputation for making wine approachable, exciting, and rooted in reality.

Sunny Hodge completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering before embarking on a career in hospitality. He worked his way up from fast food restaurants to become a founding team member at Paulo de Tarso and Nicholas Jaouën’s London restaurant, Margot.

His scientific training has always led him to look for the how and why behind food and wine, and he currently runs science-based wine tastings and is developing programmes to provide wine education based on science and functionality.

Hodge is the founder and owner of two wine bars in south London, Diogenes the Dog and aspen & meursault, for which he was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year at the Southwark Business Awards. Both wine bars showcase unusual and lesser-known wines and share a mission to educate customers about wine. Sunny is an annual wine judge for the IWSC awards and has commentated on wine for the Evening Standard, The Times and The Guardian.

'Hodge reminds us that truth requires effort, and this book is a refreshing and grounded contribution to wine literature.'
Peter W. Brush, Cambridge University Press

‘If you are remotely curious about the science of wine, this is an excellent guide.’
Eric Asimov, The New York Times

‘I couldn’t help but be drawn into this book’s pages.’
Sophie Thorpe, Decanter

‘a very useful and enjoyable read, amply illustrated and with no attempt to cut corners'
Michael Fridjhon, Business Day

‘a bold and unapologetic guide to a subject that’s far too often shrouded in mystery’
The Gentleman Magazine

‘one of the best wine books I have read in a long while.’
Christine Austin, Yorkshire Post

‘Sunny Hodge takes a deep dive into wine science, looking behind the surface of what makes this most fascinating of alcoholic beverages. There’s a lot packed into this book, and it’s full of interest for the wine-curious. Up to date and topical, this is a welcome addition to the current wine literature, written in a way that gives it broad appeal.’
Jamie Goode, author of Wine Science and Flawless

‘Hodge’s enthusiasm for these very technical subjects comes across loud and clear. The writing feels confident and well researched.’
Simon J Woolf

‘a superb educational resource that has already begun to change how I approach wine reviews.’
Simone Judge, Wine Drinker

‘The book blends hard-core science with a deep knowledge of wine and wine service. . . Sunny Hodge is my kind of wine writer’
Neal D Hulkower, The World of Fine Wine

‘A straightforward and eye-opening book for anybody who wants to question the stories told around wine but was afraid to ask. . . Thoroughly recommend’
Matthew Nugent, The Irish Sun

‘I enjoyed the genuine personal engagement in the writing.’
Neil Sowerby