Direct: Tony Laithwaite My Story

Laithwaites is now the top wine company in the UK and a leading example of a thriving family business turned empire. In the 1960s, young geography student Tony Laithwaite took a job washing wine bottles in Bordeaux and fell in love with the wine and the people who make it. He wrote to Harold Evans at the Times to persuade him of the superior quality of his imported wine, and they soon joined forces to set up the hugely successful Sunday Times Wine Club. Today, the parent company Direct Wines is the world's number one home-delivery wine merchant with operations in the UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2019
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Over the past 50 years, Laithwaites has gone by several names and has emerged as the leading wine company in the UK, showcasing a remarkable transformation from a family-run business to a thriving empire. In the 1960s, a young geography student named Tony Laithwaite embarked on an adventure in Bordeaux, where he fell deeply in love with wine and the dedicated individuals behind its production. After an inspiring experience in Bordeaux, Tony returned to the UK with a van filled with his favorite French wines, eager to share them with friends and neighbors. He took the initiative to write to Harold Evans at The Times, convincing him of the exceptional quality of his imported wine. Their collaboration led to the establishment of the highly successful Sunday Times Wine Club, which quickly gained traction and attracted hundreds of small wineries from around the world.

As Laithwaites' venture grew, it transformed from a modest operation into a massive business virtually overnight. Today, nearly 50 years after its foundation in 1969, Laithwaites' parent company, Direct Wines, holds the prestigious title of the world's number one home-delivery wine merchant. With operations in the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand, Direct Wines has expanded its reach globally.

However, Laithwaites' story extends beyond the company itself. It is a tale of the people who have contributed to its success. Filled with rich archive imagery and newly commissioned illustrations by David Eldridge, as well as anecdotes from Tony's early years in France, this inspirational memoir offers a captivating journey through the world of wine and the remarkable individuals who have shaped its destiny. Whether enjoyed with a favorite bottle of wine or as a standalone read, "Direct: Tony Laithwaite My Story" is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence.

Weight: 944g
Dimension: 195 x 253 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788161251
Edition number: Main