The Laithwaites, Tony Laithwaite Reflects on Life, Wine, and Legacy
Just released on November 5, Verticals: The Laithwaites is yet another stellar documentary film from the award-winning SOMM TV producing team of Jason Wise, Jackson Myers, and Christine Wise. In the event you haven’t heard of the theatrical documentaries SOMM, Into the Bottle, Cup of Salvation or The Whole Animal, this James Beard award winning team have accomplished something breathtaking once more. This time around, the compelling story of lauded British wine merchant Tony Laithwaite is front and center with Tony himself sharing personal details and philosophies about his life and business.
But you have to see it for yourself. Tony Laithwaite, turning 80 in 2025, gives viewers a rare glimpse into his home’s private cellar. “Bottles are like a photo album,” he shares. “Each reminds me of something.” This humble gentleman is worth millions of £s, yet his soft spoken words reflecting on his beginning in the wine business, his life partner in marriage and business, Barbara, his three sons, and his wine colleagues, now friends, speak volumes.
In Verticals: The Laithwaites, his sons remark that their father is a candid and passionate man who is able to “get messages across.” Barbara, his wife, states that “he’s single minded” and “always driven by the company to make it better.” Tony Laithwaite is a storyteller who “loves the people and the product. He’s very good with words to bring wine to life.”
Tony explains his start in the business from shipping a mere five cases from Bordeaux to the United Kingdom to finally purchasing a van for transport and garnering more clients with wines to sell. He is an avid believer that “wine and friendship” go hand in hand, a driving philosophy for his business.
But so is his wife, Barbara. Tony gives credit to Barbara for being the “smart one” who is grounded while he is the creative type. He knows that the business could not exist without his wife to whom he repeatedly pays homage in the film. His sons, who are following in the Laithwaite footsteps, agree. Each has ultimate respect for their parents and rightly so.
Barbara and Tony Laithwaite
Without revealing more details, I encourage you to check out the official trailer, then watch the entire 47 minute documentary on SOMM TV as soon as possible. (I have already watched it twice!) What you’ll find is brilliant cinematography, an elegant musical score, and the compelling story of Tony Laithwaite who invites you into his home, the kitchens of his clients (now dear friends), the Laithwaite winery in Bordeaux, and even the vineyards at Windsor Great Park where he is producing sparkling wine.
“Everyone has memories that go with a bottle. That’s what enjoying wine is,” says Tony Laithwaite. I couldn’t agree more.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
