News

Tasting Room Radio - July 2, 2022 - "Checking in with The Neighbourhood!!"

Interview with Beata & Chris Tolley – Owners of Moon Curser, starts at ~37:17 to 53:30.

You'll hear updates on the 2022 growing season from Chris. Starting at 41:28 they chat about a small selection of Moon Curser's LARGE portfolio. Terry speaks about his favourite wine from Moon Curser's portfolio this year and he said it was Roussanne Marsanne. "I just love it. I just love it. I love it, I love it, I love it and if you keep making it on that level, it will just get better and better and better and better and it will become one of your true signature wines." Starting at 46:36 hear about Moon Curser's Syrah and Contraband Syrah and Chris and Beata speak about vintage variation.

Listen to "Checking in with The Neighbourhood!!"

Canada's 100 Best - "Digging deep in the Okanagan"

"BC's Best Wineries

There is a lot to be said about B.C.’s maturing winemaking prowess and its incredible diversity across nine geographical indications (GIs). A focus on the Okanagan Valley and its growing number of sub-GIs — most notably in the Naramata Bench region — reveals convention-bunking winemakers centered on microclimates, soils, clones, oak, yeasts, and non-interventionist viticulture — all in hot pursuit of ultimate terroir expression. —

Moon Curser Vineyards

Dolcetto, Arneis, Syrah, Malbec, Tannat, Touriga Nacional… It’s all here on the East Bench of Osoyoos in the South Okanagan. “We were crazy people when we started. We didn’t know much,” says Chris Tolley. But they are getting- ting a lot right, particularly with Syrah, bottled as single-vineyard and blended wines. That Arneis is a treat, too — tasted off the vine and from a 2014 bottle, it’s remarkably textured, with citrus, savoury, and spice."

Discover BC's Best Wineries here

winebc.com - "Behind the Label"

"This winery opened in 2006 as Twisted Tree Vineyards. Four years later, proprietors Chris and Beata Tolley changed the name to the more dramatic Moon Curser. The drama carried through to labels evoking an earlier history when Osoyoos was centre for gold mining.

During the gold rush, American miners sought to smuggle gold back across the border in the dark of night without paying taxes or duties. The smugglers would curse the moon if it exposed their activities. On its back labels, Moon Curser puts these words in the mouth of a smuggler: “Damn you moon for lighting my run tonight. This gold is mine and no border agent is going to tax me.”

The labels, which mimic shadow and light, anchor Moon Curser and its wines in the history and the terroir of Osoyoos.  The pick, the mule, the saddle bags and the gold nuggets are references to the mining and smuggling on the last. Other elements on the labels are drawn from nature in the South Okanagan, such as ponderosa pines, deer, foxes and even small bats.

The labels are a fun and engaging way to reference the terroir which the winery exploits to grow varietals rarely grown elsewhere in the Okanagan, if at all. “We believe they thrive in our Osoyoos vineyards is because they are growing in the southernmost, hottest and sunniest place in all of the Okanagan,” Chris writes.

The varietals include Arneis, Carménère, Dolcetto, Tannat, Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional. “I love the diversity,” Chris says. “I love the affirmation that this valley is capable of doing a wide variety of wines.”"

Discover the inspiration and stories behind award-winning BC wine labels.

Decanter - British Columbia Syrah: Canada’s rising star

This week Decanter published an article by Michaela Morris called “British Columbia Syrah: Canada’s rising star” and included her top 15 BC Syrah wines to try, including Moon Curser Syrah 2019 at 90 points!

It’s great to see Michaela say “Despite only representing 9% of red grapes, British Columbia Syrah is fast becoming one of Canada's most exciting red wine styles.” and see BC Syrah getting this kind of attention.

Read "British Columbia Syrah: Canada’s rising star".

Tasting Room Radio - Sept 18, 2021 - The 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect

Interview with Beata & Chris Tolley – Owners of Moon Curser starts off this episode.

Listen or watch the 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect

The Globe & Mail - A new release from Burgundy winery showcases the vibrancy of pinot noir - Roussanne Marsanne 2020 - 89 points

To read full article and review with subscription click here

TheWineDiva.ca/WineScores.ca - 2021 Releases, 13 wines rated 90+ Points

Moon Curser Syrah 2019 - 92 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Dead of Night 2019 - 92 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Touriga Nacional 2019 - 92 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Tempranillo 2019 - 92 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Viognier 2020 - 92 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Border Vines 2019 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Petit Verdot 2019 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Dolcetto 2020 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Carménère 2019 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Contraband Syrah 2019 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Malbec 2019 - 90 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Arneis 2020 - 90 Points

To view review click here

John Schreiner on wine - "Moon Curser makes an impact", 14 wines rated 90+ points

"...The range of varietals produced by Moon Curser is extensive and includes several varietals that are either exclusive to the winery or grown by few other producers. A Moon Curser wine list includes Arneis, Dolcetto, Tannat, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Carménère, and Nebbiolo. “I love the diversity,” Chris says. “I love the affirmation that this valley is capable of doing a wide variety of wines. Maybe we do one of these varieties better than anywhere else in the world.” Indeed, I would put up a Moon Curser Tannat against wines from Uruguay where that variety thrives. The flagship red at Moon Curser, Dead of Night, is an inspired blend of equal parts Tannat and Syrah...."

Overview of John's ratings:

94 points

Moon Curser Dead of Night 2019

93 points

Moon Curser Carmenere 2019
Moon Curser Touriga Nacional 2019
Moon Curser Contraband Syrah 2019

92 points

Moon Curser Roussanne Marsanne 2020
Moon Curser Dolcetto 2020
Moon Curser Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Moon Curser Petit Verdot 2019

91 points

Moon Curser Arneis 2020
Moon Curser Border Vines 2019
Moon Curser Syrah 2019 
Moon Curser Tempranillo 2019
Moon Curser Malbec 2019

90 points 

Moon Curser Viognier 2020

View full wine reviews and article by John Schreiner - "Moon Curser makes an impact".

Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country - Syrah Podcast Episode 17

"Moss takes an in-depth look into Syrah, clarifying the complexity of this grape as both the traditional old-world Syrah and the new-world Shiraz and the characteristics to expect when enjoying this varietal."

Starting at 26:18 Moss highlights Moon Curser and had some super lovely things to say

"Moon Curser is a staple of the Osoyoos wine scene", "Moon Curser knocks if out of the park, every time. They have a fantastic group of staff, who are talented, knowledgeable and friendly. And they produce some of the best wine, well ah, according to the WineAlign National Wine Awards, in the entire country. Bursting with flavour and texture and personality. They produce some very unique grapes, things like Tempranillo, Tourgia Nacional, ah Dolcetto, Carménère. Grapes that are rare to see in British Columbia, but it's their Syrah I want to highlight today....."

Check out Syrah Episode 17

 

MyVanCity.ca - #ThisWineThatDish | Moon Curser Syrah | Sweet & Spicy Grilled Vegetables

"Everything I look for in a Syrah, juicy perfection with lighter tannins than I expected. The dish combined sweet, sour and savoury but the wine was up to the challenge. I knew that a peppery wine would be exactly right, and wow, definitely a hit.

Rich and smooth, with ripe fruit aromas and flavours of dark fruits like blackberry and just the right amount of tart wild blueberry to add interest and acidity."

To view full article click here.