Laithwaites

Laithwaites is a UK wine merchant selling exclusively online and by phone, shipping to home and business addresses. The range covers everyday drinking (sub-£10), mid-tier regional discoveries (£10-£20) and premium fine wine above £20, including Bordeaux classed growths, vintage port and Champagne. Cases can be bought outright or through rolling “Wine Plan” subscriptions that deliver monthly, quarterly or on demand. Founded in 1969 by Tony Laithwaite with the first Bordeaux direct-to-consumer shipment, the company still sources directly from 150+ family estates and operates its own vineyard in Berkshire. Own-label “Director’s Cut”, “Stellar” and “Bin Series” lines win regular Decanter medals, while a no-quibble “Taste Guarantee” refunds any bottle a customer does not enjoy. Limited parcels of library vintages and en primeur offers are released to mailing-list members first. Core buyers are 35-70-year-old ABC1 adults who enjoy discovering wine without specialist knowledge; 60 % of sales come from subscribers who value curated selection notes and free tasting events. The brand appeals to convenience-seekers who want reliable quality, transparent origin stories and the flexibility to pause or change deliveries online. Laithwaites competes with national supermarkets, high-street multiples and subscription wine clubs. It differentiates through direct importing, estate-level provenance, specialist wine advisors available seven days a week, and a guarantee that lets customers reject any bottle for credit, removing the perceived risk of buying untasted wine remotely.