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 Selection Malbec 2022 and Gran Reservado Malbec 2021 from Mendoza are worth a try too, each awarded a Bronze medal, with more award-winning wines to be found from South Africa and Spain.
Laithwaites sells most of its wines online and through its wine clubs, but you can also shop at one of its 10 retail locations, mainly in the south of England.
In-store or online, Laithwaites stocks award-winning wines for every pocket and palate. Discover a selection of this year’s medal winners below.
Shopper’s Guide: award-winning wines from Laithwaites
Silver
Harrow & Hope, Rosé Brut, Buckinghamshire, England 2019
Silver, 94 points
£36
Indulgently aromatic with rosehip syrup and compote with a good balance of sweetness on the palate. Well put together. Alc 12%
Wyfold Vineyard, Brut, Oxfordshire, England 2017
Silver, 93 points
£35
Tight fruit and yeast character with firm but integrated acidity. Good savoury autolytic notes and a strong finish, if slightly bitter. Alcohol 12%
Bodegas Fabre, HJ Fabre Reservado Malbec-Cabernet Franc, Mendoza, Argentina 2022
Silver, 93 points
£19.99
Lovely floral aromas with a smoky character, notes of blueberry and hints of spices. Really delicious, elegant and refined. Alc 14.5%
Wyfold Vineyard, Rosé Brut, Oxfordshire, England 2018
Silver, 92 points
£35
Bright and fresh with hints of blood orange, figs, and herbs. A little white chocolate on the medium length finish. Alc 12%
Harrow & Hope, No7 Brut Reserve, Buckinghamshire, England NV
Silver, 90 points
£32
Very floral, raspberry, and peachy sweet fruit. Decent balance with integrated acidity and moderately intense on the palate. Alc 12%
Bronze
Bodegas Casa Primicia, Crianza, Rioja, Spain 2019
Bronze, 89 points
£16.99
Dark cherry and blueberry nose. The palate is fresh with grippy tannins, a meaty fruit core and a persistent, spicy finish. Alc 14%
Fryer’s Cove, Doring Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Cape West Coast, South Africa 2022
Bronze, 89 points
£13.99
Intense herbaceous notes of cut grass with grapefruit pith, guava and flinty notes. Lively and vibrant. Alc 13%
Bodegas Casa Primicia, Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2017
Bronze, 88 points
£19.99
The dark fruit and spicy aromas follow through on the palate, which has tight tannins and a long, exciting finish. Alc 14.5%
Bodegas Fabre, HJ Fabre Gran Reservado Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2021
Bronze, 88 points
£21
Expressive aromas or dark spices and plummy black fruits. Oaky on the palate, with firm tannins. Alc 14.5%
Bodegas Fabre, HJ Fabre Barrel Selection Malbec, Patagonia, Argentina 2022
Bronze, 87 points
£21
Youthful aromas of ripe dark fruits. A fluid and juicy mid-palate, with firm tannins. Alc 14.5%
Bodegas Casa Primicia, Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain 2022
Bronze, 86 points
£16.49
An earthy and herbal wine with a lovely meaty nose, an earthy palate and a nice, smooth finish. Alc 14%
