Laithwaites buys third Bordeaux estate

Laithwaites Wine, the independent wine merchant begun in the late 60s by Tony Laithwaite, has purchased a third estate in Bordeaux.

Chateau du Bois, a 25-hectare AOC Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux estate, is in the Castillon village of Saint Colombe, where Tony Laithwaite (pictured) bought his first vineyard, Chateau La Clariere, in 1980.

Combined with his existing properties of La Clariere and Chateau Verniotte, the family now has a total vineyard area of 30 hectares.

The family also owns vineyards in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, and in 2011 planted vines in Windsor Great Park.

Henry Laithwaite, Tony’s son who will be running the estate, told Decanter.com, ‘Castillon and Sainte Colombe has been a constant in my life from age zero. From being in my teens, helping with the early harvests at La Clariere to my first proper Bordeaux vintage as a winemaker in 2002.

‘We have always admired Chateau du Bois from the windows of my parents’ property. It’s not often that properties like this come up for sale, but I had noticed the vineyards being neglected and the word soon spread that it was up for sale. We didn’t personally know the previous owners but soon found out that the father had died and the children were not keen on taking it over.’

Henry Laithwaite will work with Laithwaites’ wine director Justin Howard-Sneyd MW on a development plan for the new vineyard.

Written by Jane Anson in Bordeaux