Laughing Stock Vineyards Celebrates The Big Two-Oh

For two decades, a Naramata Bench winery situated in the sunny Okanagan Valley has consistently produced award winning wines. The biggie, just in time to celebrate its 20th birthday? Being named No. 1 Small BC Winery. We sat down with Laughing Stock winemaker Sandy Leier, who spilt the Syrah on making award-winning wine. —Catherine Dunwoody

Congratulations to you and your LFNG team Sandy! Tell me more about this prestigious award.

Thank you! We were awarded #1 Small BC Winery at the 2025 Wine Align National Wine Awards.

Can you tell me a bit about the winery’s history?

Laughing Stock’s founders led conservative, methodical and calculated lives in the financial industry. In 2003, they followed their hearts and bullishly invested everything into the wine industry. The Laughing Stock name may have unwittingly been conceived at this time, as it was a term used over and over again by their colleagues on Bay Street and Wall Street. Over two decades later, Laughing Stock is no laughing matter; it delivers exceptional and expressive wines that rival some of the best in Okanagan and abroad.

And where does the winery stand today?

The Laughing Stock team is focused on super premium, small production wines using techniques that showcase the very best from the fruit grown on the best vineyard sites in the Okanagan Valley. When consumers have a bottle of Laughing Stock Vineyards, they know it’s a luxury wine that won’t fail to impress and delivers exceptional quality every time.

Where did you get your start in winemaking?

I started working as an assistant to the winemakers at Sandhill back in 2006. I had a chemistry degree and then started taking courses to supplement my learning on the job. Howard Soon was the head winemaker, and I was able to learn from him and his very talented team as I transitioned through different winemaking roles over the next 16 years working there. I’ve been with LFNG for 3.5 years now.

Tell me about the 20th Anniversary Portfolio? 

The 20th Anniversary Portfolio is the 2022 vintage, which was my first harvest at Laughing Stock. I really didn’t want to change the style of this iconic wine that has a very loyal following. The blend is 51% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cab Franc, 6% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. We hand harvested the fruit from our vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos and then sorted the fruit by whole cluster and then by berry after destemming. We fermented the components separately and then barrel aged for about 21 months in French oak barrels (40% new oak). The Portfolio blend has typically been a Merlot dominant blend with the same five varieties in it year over year.

What is your favourite wine from the portfolio, personally? 

I have a few favourites, the Syrah is always on top, and the new Blind Trust White is another favourite along with the Portfolio and Market Bubble, but it really depends on my mood lol!