Established in 1969 by Tony Laithwaites and his wife Barbara, Laithwaites remains a true family business. The company ethos is centered around seeking out wines from leading, small-scale growers through to buying vineyards and building wineries around the world to produce its own wines.
It’s green too. Awarded Green Champion of the Year at the 2023 Decanter Retailer Awards , Laithwaites (part of Direct Wines) won thanks to its ‘comprehensive’ action plan across many aspects of the business, from packaging to transport, training and biodiversity.
Meanwhile, its two English wineries performed well at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) with Barbara Laithwaite’s Wyfold from South Oxfordshire awarded two Silver medals. Wyfold Vineyard Brut earned 93 points from the expert judges for its delicious savory, autolytic character and strong finish, while the Rosé Brut scored 92 points for its lovely herbaceous freshness.
Scroll down to see our Laithwaites Shopper’s Guide for DWWA-winning wines
From the family’s 6.5 hectare vineyard in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, owned and operated by the Laithwaites’ son Henry, the Harrow & Hope range is worth looking out for too at your next shop. Its indulgently aromatic Harrow & Hope Rosé Brut and the floral, peachy No7 Brut Reserve both achieved Silver medals at DWWA, expressing the quality achieved at this innovative estate.
Further afield, from Argentina try Silver medal-winner Bodegas Fabre, HJ Fabre Reservado Malbec-Cabernet Franc 2022 from Mendoza. Elegant and refined, it secured 93 points for its smoky, spicy characters.
Bodegas Fabre’s Patagonia Barrel
