Just over 40 years ago Tony Laithwaite started the company today known as Laithwaites Wine. Now offering over 2500 different wines sourced from 22 different countries to over a million active clients, Laithwaites is the worlds largest independent wine merchant with a turnover of over £340 M. In the last 3 years the expansion into foreign markets now represent 20% of their turnover.
In 2007 Tony reinforced his longstanding links with the region opening ‘Le Chai au Quai’ on the banks for the Dordogne river in Castillon as not just a wine making base in France but also a wine boutique, and tasting room open to the public. It is in this very cellar that as a student Tony discovered the wines of Castillon and ever since the région has held a place close to his heart reinforced with the purchase of Château La Clarière-Laithwaite in 1983. And now this magnificently newly renovated cellar.
This long association was celebrated Friday evening by 150 guests on the banks of the Dordogne in the late afternoon sunshine. We were there for the launch of ‘Le Voyage’ 2009 a special cuvé vinifed at the chai and sent off on an epic voyage on board the good ship ‘Irene’ from Blaye to London. A trip that retraces the historic links between Bordeaux and London and which Tony Laithwaite has already carried out twice. The wine, accompanied by its creator Mark Hoddy (The Chai œnologue) will end it‘s 12 day journey at their flag Ship London store ‘The Arch’ where the celebrations will continue with an auction of gifts from many prestigious properties will be held in aide of MacMillan cancer care.
