2017 November 28 

Arterra Wines Canada Makes a Long Term Investment in Laughing Stock Vineyards
What’s Happening & Why

Since we started the winery over a decade ago, we have been hands on growing and making wine with a focus on one goal… creating quality wines that put the Okanagan and Naramata Bench on the wine map.  It was quite a risk in 2003 to give up our financial careers to invest it all in the wine business by purchasing a vineyard on the Naramata Bench. As the winery grew, so did we in our learning and enjoyment of the wine business.  

In the past 5 years, we have gone from 5,000 cases to 10,000 cases and we found ourselves at a tipping point where we had momentum with sell-out wines each year, and yet lacked the resources and energy to leap to the next level.  Entering our 15th harvest this year, and knowing that all things good must be supported with effort and vision, we wanted to explore our options.

We found a solution in Arterra Wines Canada who acquired the winery effective December 1st, 2017.  Arterra’s plan is to let us remain as a premium boutique winery with a continued focus on quality winemaking with founders, David and Cynthia staying involved and providing leadership.  It’s a real vote of confidence in our wines and the Okanagan wine region, that Arterra, who is owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, is making a long term investment in Laughing Stock Vineyards. 

Growth is not a reason to change but change is necessary to continue our ongoing pursuit to make better wine each and every year. Arterra owns and farms arguably some of the best vineyards in the Okanagan Valley with over a thousand acres including some of the highest regarded vineyards like Sunrock, Dark Horse and Bull Pine. 

We will remain involved in daily winery operations with David staying on as Executive Winemaker with oversight of the vineyards and Cynthia will continue as General Manager.  Little change will be felt as all staff will stay on in current roles.

We will always be in the wine business…we live on a vineyard and will continue making wine in the amazing community of Naramata. 

David & Cynthia Enns