That time when a Dorset wine shop won an IWC (International Wine Challenge Industry Award) …
So, we rocked up to Hurlingham Club on Tuesday night (4th July) for THE wine event of the year – globally recognised, judged by the best in the biz, and feeling (once more this year) out of our depth.
The invite was mind-blowing; to win was more than we could have dreamed. After hearing our name called, Sadie was whisked off for a quick interview — that’s when it started to feel real…
We were asked ‘What does it mean to win an IWC?’ and she had to find a way to verbalise ‘the world’. We’re rural, we’re neurodiverse, we’re female-led, and we don’t usually put ourselves forward to nominations like this – not until recently anyhow.
This is a win for us, for great indie wine, for the small growers and fantastic producers we support, our suppliers, our loyal ‘winos’, and our historic market town of Sherborne. We love what we do, we believe in great wine for all budgets. We source with a meticulous approach, we champion independence, we clink glasses with friends, we sell for fair prices (in a difficult climate) for the entire supply chain, and we are happy when we turn up to work. That’s our daily trophy.
But, to get recognised by such esteemed judges is overwhelming and just fabulous. We’re going to pop some more corks now. What a year! Especially after winning the Drinks Retailing Awards ‘Best Independent Wine Retailer in the UK’ back in February.