Henry Laithwaite
Like his Dad, Henry believes that a wine is made in the vineyard and so produces styles with as little human intervention as possible. Although he'd been dragged round wineries and vineyards for as long as he can remember, he didn't become a winemaker until he was 17 but already has coveted Parker-points to his name.
Over the years he was apprenticed to and worked alongside some of the world's finest winemaking talents, starting as a flying winemaker's assistant in France's Ardéche. With interests in Australia, France and here (English fizz is up there with the best), his goal is to make super-premium wines at affordable prices.
History
At 13, Henry's father (Tony) told him that the grape had the highest sugar content of any fruit! Naturally being young and curious he asked "what is the second dad?" ... and he answered "the pineapple son!" He subsequently spent the whole weekend trying to extract as much juice out of a pineapple as he could. The juice was then put into bottles with some yeast and left down in the cellar to do its thing. Which for most of the bottles was to explode and spread itself over Tony Laithwaite's wine collection!
After working in a small French village called Valvignères (which means valley of vines) in the Ardéche, Henry went to Australia and got to grips with hands-on winemaking at the Redheads studio. He worked alongside and learnt from some great winemakers such as Phil Christiensen, Adam Hooper and Justin Lane – whilst also getting to know a lot of the top growers in the area like Nat McMurtrie.
Every March Henry goes back to Australia to make 30 or so barrels of wine at the RedHeads Studio. All the wines are made using the fruit of a handful of carefully selected old vineyards in McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills. The best fruit in Australia. Everything hand done, the finest oak, lots of love and care.
In 2008 he realised a life long dream and bought 4.2 Hectares of vineyard in the Côtes de Castillon. Henry had had his eyes on these vineyards for about 5 years. So when they finally came up for sale, he immediately made an offer. A massive amount of French paperwork later ... and voila! he's a vigneron.
Watch the video about this winemaker
Wines from this winemaker
View all
Henry Laithwaite Au Chai Blanc Cotes de Castillon 2006
Try a claret with real class, direct from Bordeaux's great value Castillon region.
Château la Clarière Laithwaite 2006
Top right-bank claret; a tiny-volume labour of love with a host of awards to its name
Henry Laithwaite Aux 3 Freres Cotes de Castillon 2004
Sensational '04 vintage of Henry Laithwaite's traditional style claret. A real rarity!
