News

edible SEATTLE - TANNAT

"“Go big or go home” is not typically a winemaker’s mantra. There are plenty of bold, domineering wines on the market, of course, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Syrah to Petite Verdot. But most vintners reach for a little subtlety, a touch of elegance in their wines. So when an imposing grape like Tannat emerges on the scene, it’s worth approaching with healthy curiosity.

Tannat might sound a little like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but think of it more like a diamond polished out of the rough. Under the right hands, it can age from a strong-willed grape to a structured wine with smooth flavors and silky refinement."

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Wine Align - Top 10 Small Wineries in Canada

8. Moon Curser Vineyards

British Columbia
1 Gold, 6 Silver, 3 Bronze...Read more Click Here

Quench - Classic Italian grapes are populating the New World

"...But as Chris Tolley at Moon Curser in the Okanagan Valley points out, “plantings are only as appropriate as the wine is good.” He’s experimenting with Arneis, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo. While Tolley believes Arneis is suitable as it ripens early, likes sandy soils and isn’t too cold sensitive, he calls his two-year old Nebbiolo vines in Osoyoos “our sacrificial planting.” Only time will tell if that grape will be able to fully ripen in the Okanagan’s extreme climate..."

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Richmond News - Sips Happen column: On winding wine road to southern B.C.

"The Tolley family changed the name of the winery to celebrate American gold miners who smuggled their B.C. nuggets south of the border except on nights when the moon illuminated their illegal activities.

Two of my Moon Curser favourites are the white Rhone blend, Afraid of the Dark ($19.04) and the red Bordeaux blend, Border Vines ($23.39). But I confess I like almost all of their selections."

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www.wineadventures.ca - PROFILE: JOHN SCHREINER

"Most of the improvement has been in the last 20 years, says Schreiner. Appropriate vines planted in the nineties are now settled in and mature. The valley is full of professional viticulturists. And the wineries are all now very well-equipped.

“I remember going into Moon Curser and they were showing me their sorting table. I was aptly astonished because I’d never seen a start-up winery in the Okanagan with a sorting table, so I knew they were going to be serious.” That was 15 years ago."

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The Globe & Mail - Dolcetto: Red Italian varietal creates wines that are like a smile in a bottle

"If wines were emojis, dolcetto would be that one with the grinning teeth and open eyes. It's a cheerful red par excellence. A smile in a bottle.

In a world where serious, cellar-worthy reds tend to dominate discourse, simpler, lighter fare can struggle for attention. Yet there's fun and happy pleasure to be had in many wines that offer more modest refreshment. Dolcetto is those things, too: refreshing and fun."

"In Italian, the name means "little sweet one," a reference to the dolcetto grape's low acidity. Despite its naturally sweet profile, though, wines made from the fruit are almost always dry." 

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We are hiring for our Tasting Room...

Tasting Room Associates

 

Moon Curser Vineyards is a small, family owned and operated winery located on the Osoyoos East Bench at the southernmost tip of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley and we are hiring for our upcoming 2017 season!

 

Why work for Moon Curser Vineyards?

Our owners left their previous careers because of the dream of winery life in the South Okanagan. To them this meant starting a business they are passionate about, striving for a work-life balance and no need to wear suits. This is the atmosphere our team enjoys along with industry competitive compensation and reasonable work hours. Situated atop Osoyoos East Bench, panoramic views of our vineyards and Osoyoos Lake are enjoyed from the tasting room. It’s a pretty nice place to work. We are looking for a mix of Full & Part-Time seasonal positions to meld with our friendly team of long-term staff. This is an exciting time to join our team and contribute to our developing hospitality program.

 

Positions begin as early as the end of March and continue until October, with some potential into the winter season. We are looking for energetic individuals who love interacting with people. We like to share our wines with our visitors with warmth, passion and a lack of pretension in a welcoming, informal environment. Although we are informal, providing top notch customer service is key in our busy tasting room that is open 7 days a week.

 

Position Responsibilities/Duties:

• Educating visitors on our award-winning wines, wine club, events, and winery
• Warmly greeting guests and providing them with an exceptional and memorable tasting experience tailored to the guest’s knowledge level 
• Handling transactions of wine and retail items
• Representing the winery at periodic off-site events/farmers markets
• Stocking shelves and tasting bar
• Keeping working areas clean, secure, organized and clutter free
• Maintaining the cleanliness of hospitality areas including the tasting room, restroom and walking areas
• Assisting with preparing and shipping orders
• Assisting with special events or guest house service if required
• Other tasks as required

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in hospitality, retail or sales
• Basic knowledge of wine or a keen interest in wine
• Formal wine education is an asset
• Ability to work days, weekends/holidays and some evenings. A flexible schedule is an asset
• Second language is an asset

 

Required Qualifications:

• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent communication and multi-tasking skills
• Ability to work in a team and independently
• Comfort with computers (for our basic point of sale software)
• Serving it Right Certificate
• At least 19 years of age
• Must be able to meet physical requirements of the job. These include but are not limited to: 
  • repetitively lifting
  • lifting up to 50lbs while navigating stairs or equipment
  • standing for extended periods of time

 

More About Moon Curser Vineyards:

The Moon Curser name pays tribute to the gold smuggling history of Osoyoos. Its wines, however, show no such respect for tradition – the winery is known for growing unusual old varieties such as Tempranillo and Tannat. They have brought home many a medal, including the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards’ Trophy for Best Canadian Red for the 2009 Border Vines. 

 

How to apply:

If the above sounds like you, please email your resume and cover letter to employment@mooncurser.com. Please include "Tasting Room Associate" in the subject line and ensure to specify within your cover letter your availability and if you are looking for Part-Time or Full-Time.

Calgary Herald - Wine Pairings for Juno stars that really sing.

Former Calgarians Chris and Beata Tolley left respective careers as a software engineer and chartered accountant to start a winery in Osoyoos. Originally called Twisted Tree, they changed the name to Moon Curser five years ago.

            The name embraced Osoyoos’ colourful history as a smuggling haven on the U.S. border where illicit crossings were made under the light of the moon. The winery has taken some risks of its own, pushing the norms of Okanagan viticulture by planting grapes uncommon to the region such as Tannat, Carmenere, Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional. Read more Click Here. 

John Schreiner on wine - Arneis and Its Nearly Lost Friends

Arneis, a white grape varietal from Piedmont, is one of rising stars among Italian varietals now also being planted elsewhere.

Arneis wine is being produced not just in Italy but in Australia, New Zealand, California, Oregon and in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley by Moon Curser Vineyards. Read more Click Here.

Great Northwest Wine - Moon Curser Vineyards 2014 Contraband Series Arneis, $26

This Italian white grape rarely is seen in the Pacific Northwest, but one would hope the work in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley by Chris and Beata Tolley along the U.S./Canada border will prove to be inspiring. Read more Click Here.