Laithwaites

Laithwaites is a British mail-order and online wine distributor, founded as Bordeaux Direct in 1969 by Tony Laithwaite. While living in Bordeaux, Tony borrowed a van to bring French wines directly to friends and neighbours in the UK, starting with just five wines and 150 customers. By the 1970s, Laithwaites became the first merchants of any nationality to prospect and buy wine from southern French regions including Bergerac, Cahors, and Minervois. Now headquartered in Theale, Berkshire, the company rebranded to Laithwaites in 2000. Still owned by Tony and Barbara Laithwaite as of 2023, with a subscription club of over 100,000 members, Laithwaites grew to become the world's largest mail-order wine merchant by 2006. Barbara also established Wyfold Vineyard in 2003 and partnered with Windsor Great Park in 2011.