November 25th, 2023-Meet the Makers…
hello
Meet the Makers / Winemakers from Culmina & Laughing Stock
THE SHOW
It was just another Friday morning when the happy invitation came in from the delightful Lindsay Kelm.
Come celebrate the harvest season with Culmina Family Estate and Laughing Stock Vineyards.
Join Winemakers Jean-Marc Enixon and Sandy Leier for an elegant afternoon sampling their latest releases and chatting about the 2022 harvest. We also have a couple of special sneak peeks in store, including the unreleased 2020 vintage of Laughing Stock’s signature Portfolio, and 2017 vintage of Culmina’s flagship Bordeaux blend, Hypothesis
Sandy Leier–Winemaker Laughing Stock (Naramata)
Here’s what I knew. I hadn’t spoken to Sandy Leier for years. At the time she was working with the legend Howard Soon at Sandhill and Calona. In 2018, after 15 years as a great team, she took over from the departing Howard. Then a series of projects with Andrew Peller, Gray Monk and Gretzky Wines.
Then, this year, a major move to Senior Winemaker at Laughing Stock on the Naramata Bench. It’s the home of seriously great wines including a Syrah that makes hearts flutter and their red blend Portfolio. Sandy brings six wines to taste and discover.
(List below)
(tdm and Sandy Leier)
Jean-Marc Enixon – Culmina Winemaker – (Oliver)
(tdm and Jean-Marc)
Jean-Marc Enixon’s wine career took flight in Toulouse, France. JM gained international experience in Sonoma County, China, then back to France at Chateau Puy Guilhem in Saillans as senior winemaking director.
At the suggestion of his wife saying something to the effect of “how about making some new world wine”
Jean-Marc joined the Culmina Team as Vineyard Manager and Winemaker in 2016. Today he pours 7 wines.
As good as he is, perhaps his greatest accomplishment is welcoming two new children to the family while in the Okanagan.
“they’re taking French and I’m taking English”
Sandy, Jean-Marc and I tasted and talked about
Laughing Stock Vineyards.
2021 Viognier
2020 Chardonnay
2020 Pinot Noir
2019 Syrah (new release)
2019 Portofino (new release)
2020 Portofino (unreleased)
Culmina Family Estate Winery
2019 Decora
2021 Unicus
2018 Dilemma
2019 Malbec
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Hypothesis
2017 Hypothesis (unreleased)
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:
Township 7 new releases
Fort Berens new releases
Hester Creek new releases
Sipster Two.
