Who is Jay Wright?
June 13, 2011 4:28 PM Subscribe
How consolidated is the global wine trade?
The Managing Director of Virgin Wines (a brand owned by Direct Wines Ltd, the world's largest online wine distributor, owned by Tony Laithwaite) is called Jay Wright. By coincidence the Chief Operating Officer of Constellation Brands, the world's largest wine producer, is also named Jay Wright. I'm not usually one for conspiracy theories but something strikes me as a bit odd about this. I'm a customer of Virgin Wines UK and am generally happy with what they provide, but something rings not quite true about the way they market themselves. Can anyone shed more light on these major players in the global wine trade? It seems a little murky to me.
The Managing Director of Virgin Wines (a brand owned by Direct Wines Ltd, the world's largest online wine distributor, owned by Tony Laithwaite) is called Jay Wright. By coincidence the Chief Operating Officer of Constellation Brands, the world's largest wine producer, is also named Jay Wright. I'm not usually one for conspiracy theories but something strikes me as a bit odd about this. I'm a customer of Virgin Wines UK and am generally happy with what they provide, but something rings not quite true about the way they market themselves. Can anyone shed more light on these major players in the global wine trade? It seems a little murky to me.
What are you suggesting? From a bit of Googling and the links you provide yourself, they are separate people. Jay Wright is not an uncommon name by any stretch, especially because "Jay" is a name itself plus a nickname for John, James, Jason, etc. These two Jays may know each other, but I don't think they are the same person if that's what you're suggesting.
What does this have to do with how Virgin Wines UK markets themselves?
posted by asciident at 5:46 PM on June 13, 2011
What does this have to do with how Virgin Wines UK markets themselves?
posted by asciident at 5:46 PM on June 13, 2011
Response by poster: Virgin Wines presents itself as a home-grown supplier of "boutique" wines and makes no mention anywhere on their site that they are part of a larger group which supplies the vast majority of online wine sales worldwide. Jay White was apparently responsible for the restructuring of a company that according to harpers.co.uk "trades under the identities of Laithwaites, Virgin Wines, Averys, Warehouse, The Sunday Times Wine Club, Barclaycard Wine Service, and British Airways Wine Club. It has a turnover of more than £250 million, and over 500,000 regular customers." and this makes me think that something more is going on here than immediately meets the eye. The UK Jay White doesn't seem to fit the profile of someone with that sort of portfolio. Just curious...
posted by cbrody at 6:13 PM on June 13, 2011
posted by cbrody at 6:13 PM on June 13, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
There doesn't appear to be much in common between these two guys, one is a wine salesman, the other makes wine. One is English, the other American or Canadian.
posted by JPD at 4:56 PM on June 13, 2011