Co-founders David and
Cynthia Enns to continue leading the winery
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Arterra Wines Canada, Inc.
(AWC) announced today an agreement to acquire Laughing Stock
Vineyards (LFNG), a family-owned, premium boutique winery, founded
in 2003 by David and Cynthia
Enns.
LFNG is located on the revered Naramata Bench and their flagship
wine, Portfolio, is considered one of Canada's iconic wines receiving impressive
accolades year over year, most recently earning a 94 score on the
2015 vintage.
The winery will continue to operate as usual, with David and Cynthia Enns continuing to play a key
leadership role sustainably growing the business over the next
several years.
AWC has been making award-winning wines in the Okanagan for more
than 30 years, with over a thousand acres of premium vineyards like
Black Sage and Sunrock. They make recognized wines from Black Sage
Vineyard, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, See Ya
Later Ranch, Jackson-Triggs and Inniskillin Okanagan, Nk'Mip
Cellars, and employ over 500 people in B.C.
The addition of LFNG into the AWC family of wineries complements
its diverse selection of Canadian and international award-winning
VQA wines and becomes AWC's first estate winery in the esteemed
terroir of the Naramata Bench.
"We started Laughing Stock Vineyards to create a premium,
boutique Naramata Bench winery and after a decade and a half, we
reached a tipping point both in terms of scale and demand. We made
the decision to partner with Arterra Wines Canada because of their
commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of our wines
and their solid history in the Okanagan," said David and Cynthia Enns, co-founders, Laughing
Stock Vineyards.
"Laughing Stock Vineyards has earned the distinct reputation of
being a well-respected and recognized premium, boutique winery in
the Okanagan, with a strong team dedicated to making wines of
superb quality. We are proud to welcome them into our family of
Okanagan wineries and look forward to working together into the
future," said Jay Wright, president
and CEO, Arterra Wines Canada, Inc.
AWC and LFNG's commitment to excellence in winemaking will
remain unchanged with founder David
Enns continuing as winemaker sharing his passion for
creating high-end Bordeaux style
blends and other highly acclaimed wines.
Arterra Wines Canada, Inc. is the country's leading
producer and marketer of award-winning, globally recognized
Canadian and imported wines.
Arterra Wines Canada, Inc. has grown and evolved to owning and
distributing 100+ wine brands, including seven of the top 20 brands
in Canada: Jackson-Triggs,
Inniskillin, Sawmill Creek, Wallaroo Trail,
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Ruffino and
Kim Crawford. In the last
five years, the company's portfolio has received over 1,500
accolades and awards in national and international wine
competitions.
Headquartered in Mississauga,
ON, Arterra Wines Canada, Inc. operates three commercial
wineries, five estate wineries and over 1,700 acres of premium
vineyards in Canada's wine
regions. It owns and operates 164 Wine Rack retail wine stores in
Ontario and sells wine kits and
products for winemaking through its RJS Craft Winemaking brand. It
employs approximately 2,000 full-time and part-time staff across
the country.
For more information about Arterra Wines Canada, Inc., visit
www.arterracanada.com.
Laughing Stock Vineyards is located on the prestigious
Naramata Bench in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley. Founded in 2003 by former
investment professionals, David & Cynthia Enns, the winery was a pursuit to follow
a dream and they woke up every day with the goal of not living up
to their name. Laughing Stock is one of the most reputable
wineries in B.C. known for the flagship wine, Portfolio. Their
highly acclaimed wines have been twice awarded the Lieutenant
Governor's Award for Excellence in B.C.
Wine and named the Best Red Wine in Canada by Decanter World Wine
Awards.
For more information about Laughing Stock Vineyards Ltd., visit
www.laughingstock.ca.
SOURCE Arterra Wines Canada, Inc.