Just released on November 5, Verticals: The Laithwaites<\/em><\/strong> 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\u2019t heard of the theatrical documentaries SOMM<\/em>, Into the Bottle<\/em>, Cup of Salvation<\/em> or The Whole Animal<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\n But you have to see it for yourself. Tony Laithwaite, turning 80 in 2025, gives viewers a rare glimpse into his home\u2019s private cellar. \u201cBottles are like a photo album,\u201d he shares. \u201cEach reminds me of something.\u201d This humble gentleman is worth millions of \u00a3s, 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.<\/p>\n In Verticals: The Laithwaites<\/em>, his sons remark that their father is a candid and passionate man who is able to \u201cget messages across.\u201d Barbara, his wife, states that \u201che\u2019s single minded\u201d and \u201calways driven by the company to make it better.\u201d Tony Laithwaite is a storyteller who \u201cloves the people and the product. He\u2019s very good with words to bring wine to life.\u201d<\/p>\n 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 \u201cwine and friendship\u201d go hand in hand, a driving philosophy for his business.<\/p>\n But so is his wife, Barbara. Tony gives credit to Barbara for being the \u201csmart one\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Barbara and Tony Laithwaite<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Without revealing more details, I encourage you to check out the official trailer<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, then watch the entire 47 minute documentary on SOMM TV<\/strong><\/a> as soon as possible. (I have already watched it twice!) What you\u2019ll 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. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"tony](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.grape-experiences.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Laithwaitesthumbnail.jpg?resize=461%2C259\")
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