The business began life as a company called ‘Bordeaux Direct’ founded by Tony Laithwaite, selling wines from Cotes de Castillon directly to customers in the UK.

Henry Laithwaite, son of Tony and Barbara, will be taking charge of the property. He will work with Laithwaites wine director, Justin Howard-Sneyd MW on a development plan for the new vineyard.

Henry Laithwaite said: “This is a really great moment for both the business and me. As a business, in order to offer great wine, it helps enormously if you’re making it as you understand everything that other producers go through, including the care and attention that they lavish on their vines. It gives us a level of understanding that allows us to work closely with our producers and growers worldwide and select the very best grapes and wines for our customers.

“But it’s an even more exciting opportunity for me personally. I’ve been visiting Castillon since I learned to walk and have always loved this place. It helps that my dad is a trained geologist. When he first visited Castillon he identified it as being a similar terroir to some close-by prestigious Bordeaux appellations. There’s so much potential here and with the right care and attention, there’s no reason why this vineyard can’t produce wine to rival its famous neighbours in St Emilion and Pomerol.”

The new property comprises buildings and approximately 25 hectares of AOP Castillon vines. It is the third vineyard that Laithwaites Wines and the Laithwaite family have acquired in Bordeaux and joins a portfolio of properties that include the family’s first vineyard, Chateau La Clariere and Henry Laithwaite’s Chateau Verniotte.

Chateau du Bois is located just minutes away from Laithwaites’ newly-restored winery Le Chai au Quai, home to the company’s wine-making team, headed up by Jean Marc Sauboua.