Women in Wine: Sandy Leier & Laughing Stock Vineyards

11/6/2025

Meet Sandy Leier: Winemaker at Laughing Stock Vineyards on the Naramata Bench

It was a last-minute call, but Sandy made time. Friday at 10 a.m. All mornings should start like this. Here is a story about the talented Sandy Leier, winemaker at LFNG and woman in wine in BC's Okanagan Valley. Cheers to BC's Women in Wine and the fantastic wines they are making.

Driving along Naramata Bench Road, the familiar green and black logo pointed me up the hill to Laughing Stock Vineyards. I stepped out into the cool, overcast air, taking in the view. Beautiful. The vines are sloping toward Okanagan Lake. There is a quiet hum in the distance. I had not visited before and now I was asking, "have I missed out?"
Right away I notice the building is modest and the vibe unpretentious. In a region where some wineries have gone full opulent villa, you know - fancy gates, big egos and pretentious hosts? Laughing Stock feels different. The focus here isn’t flash or façade, but fruit. The energy feels grounded in the vineyard, guided by the calm precision of one of the valley’s leading female winemakers. The mood is relaxed. The rhythm is unhurried. Time for tasting. Time for talking.

History

Perched on the golden slope of the Naramata Bench, Laughing Stock Vineyards (LFNG) has been part of BC’s premium wine story for more than two decades. Founded by David and Cynthia Enns — former investment professionals who traded spreadsheets for sorting tables, the name “Laughing Stock” was a cheeky poke at the risk they took chasing passion over profit. Every startup needs an exit strategy, and in 2017, they found theirs when Arterra Wines Canada came calling. Still, the spirit remains: authentic, small-scale and quietly confident.

Sandy Leier, Winemaker

Success in the wine business takes constant investment. The components are many: land, tools, and people. When it comes to the people, Sandy Leier, the winemaker behind LFNG’s current evolution, is a person of influence and interest. Elegant and grounded, Sandy blends artistry with science. With a B.Sc. in Chemistry from UBC Okanagan and nearly two decades of experience (including years at Sandhill under Canadian wine icon and mentor Howard Soon), she brings both precision and patience to her craft. Sandy’s focus? To create wines that truly showcase the Okanagan. She balances modern technology, double sorting tables, with ancient techniques. She likes fermenting small lots in Italian amphorae and concrete eggs (affectionately named Free Range, Scrambled, Fabergé, and Benedict). Her team, including Assistant Winemaker Kaitlyn Berendt, carry on the LFNG tradition of risk and reward.

The Wines

I’ve been tasting and sharing Laughing Stock wines since 2014. There’s always been a through-line of quality and intention that supports with the kind of consistency that builds this brand.
Here are the styles I tasted with Sandy. We started with Market Bubble 2020 - a new style for LFNG. Bubbles are such a tasty and growing category and this one doesn't disappoint. $40 and only available at the winery or online.

2022 Portfolio Red Blend

The Laughing Stock flagship 2022 Portfolio is a Bordeaux blend that celebrates LFNG’s 20th anniversary in classic style. This is a blend of 51% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot. It's a serious wine with a bold core of black fruit, spice, and fine-grained textured tannin. It's age-worthy (5 - 7 years) but drinkable now. $54 (DTC) | Gold — Trends Magazine 2025. Delicious.

2023 Blind Trust White

This vintage is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. It's bright, zesty, and texturally layered. Aromas of green citrus, tropical fruit, and kiwi leap from the glass. Made with whole cluster pressing, it’s vibrant yet polished, and a knockout with seared scallops or oyster Rockefeller. $35 (DTC) | Gold — Trends Magazine 2025. This is a style that I could drink everyday. (sadly sold out)

2024 Rosé

The 2024 Rosé is built from Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this small-lot rosé is all about freshness and finesse. Whole-cluster pressed and fermented mostly in stainless steel, it bursts with notes of stone fruit and pink grapefruit. It’s summer in a glass but with enough structure to pair beautifully year-round. Available exclusively through the winery and Wine Club.

The Legacy

It’s easy to talk about wine in terms of terroir and technique, but the real magic lies in the hands and hearts of those make it. Sandy Leier is part of a growing legacy of women in BC wine and powerfully shaping the narrative, refining the craft, and doing it all with a blend of science, style, and quiet confidence. At Laughing Stock, that influence shows up in the glass: balanced, expressive, and refreshingly BC.

Here are the details you need to support BC wine and Sandy's work. It's a little late in the season for a visit, but you can shop online, join the wine club and buy local. If you love wine and enjoy celebrating the wonderful wine regions we have in BC, please share with your wine loving friends.

Reach out to Laughing Stock Winery

Laughing Stock Winery is located at 1548 Naramata Rd, Penticton, BC V2A 8T7.
Website: https://www.laughingstock.ca/
Phone: (250) 493-8466
Wine Club: https://www.laughingstock.ca/Wine-Club

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