Sunny Hodge to open wine bar and shop in Elephant & Castle
Inspired by a Greek philosopher, Diogenes The Dog will seek to “question what we know about wine, discard common trends and bring to the table lesser known and better drunk alternatives.”
The wine selection at the Elephant & Castle-based venue will be offbeat with up to 40% sourced directly from vineyards. The rotating list will be laid out in order of “tone” rather than region and with all glasses prices between £5 and £14.
Example wines include Hibernal 2017 from Winnica Turnau (Poland), Messina Hofs Blanc du Bois (Texas), and Ixe Tempranillo (Tuscany).
Small boards of Italian cheeses and charcuterie from Cannon & Cannon will accompany the wines in the evenings.
Spread across two floors, the 60-cover venue will house the wine shop on the ground floor amongst tables that line the windows overlooking the street. Downstairs, the basement will be available for private hire and host regular acoustic nights.
“Diogenes the Dog is a truly unique and personal experience, a small opening in the world of wine allowing the undiscovered to be savoured, with thought and without pretension,” says Hodge, who was also involved with the launch of Kent's The Fordwich Arms.
Diogenes the Dog is expected to open in November.
