Tony Laithwaite and the history of Direct Wines
This show was published 10 March 2011
- Tony Laithwaite and the history of Direct Wines
Overview
Direct Wines is a family business headed up by Tony Laithwaite and his wife Barbara. Its brands include Laithwaites, The Sunday Times Wine Club and Virgin Wines. Globally they have 1 million active customers and turnover £350 million. Tony tells us how it all began in 1969 while he was studying in France and established Bordeaux Direct, bringing French wine to the UK in a white van! His business grew rapidly after 1972 when, having opened a premises in Windsor, he wrote a letter to The Sunday Times that was to completely turn his fortunes around.
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Music
The music used for the UK Wine Show is Griffes de Jingle 1 by Marcel de la Jartèle and Silence by Etoile Noire.