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Tasting Room Radio - August 31st, 2019 – Jim Cuddy doesn’t like Rosé ! Plus Moon Curser and Mayhem!
Interview with Chris Tolley – Co-Owner/Winemaker at Moon Curser starts at approximately 12:22
To listen to this episode click here
The Vancouver Sun - Moon Curser's success lies in avant-garde varieties
"Ever since attending a series of wine classes in Calgary less than two decades ago it’s been a bit of a storybook journey for the Tolley family, owners of Moon Curser Vineyards in the south Okanagan.
Today the hardworking, modest couple (Chris Tolley is a farmer/winemaker; Beata Tolley is the winery manager) find themselves Best Performing Small Winery in Canada awarded at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada for a winery producing 10,000 cases or less.
After those initial wine classes, the Tolleys quickly concluded that owning a winery was something they wanted to explore so they gave up their jobs in Calgary and headed for Lincoln University in New Zealand where they both took the one-year diplomas in viticulture and oenology.
In those early days, they did a fair amount of research by visiting wineries in New Zealand and quickly noticed a sameness in tasting room experiences. Visits to Australia proved more fruitful because many were exploring lesser-known varieties better suited to the warming climate. What they took away from those visits was that it was the odd wines like Viognier that captured their interest and became talking points after they left the winery.
The seed was planted, and when they got back to British Columbia in 2004, they bought an old cherry orchard on the east Osoyoos Bench in the south Okanagan Valley. Quickly they began to explore grape varieties that were decidedly different from the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Merlot crowd.
Most of what they planted would send the everyday wine drinker running for Jancis Robinson’s famous Guide to Wine Grapes — and it is a strategy that has proven to be uber-successful. The list of non-stream varietal wines changing minds includes Touriga Nacional (Portugal), Carménère (Chile), Tannat (Uruguay), Arneis and Dolcetto (Italy), Tempranillo (Spain) — the list goes on.
Moon Curser began its life as Twisted Tree, a somewhat conservative winery name, that was dropped after a 2011 marketing overhaul. The Moon Curser name embodied the rich history of the South Okanagan, where gold smugglers would regularly cross the nearby U.S. border during the night. As historical as the name is, the winery is hardly tradition-bound. One could argue it may be the most experimental producer in the country.
Certainly planting avant-garde varieties has set the winery apart and in some ways could be instrumental in it moving forward if temperatures continue to rise in the Okanagan.
That said, not everything has worked. Early on, love for Italian varietals led to planting Corvina, a grape widely planted in Valpolicella in the Veneto, northern Italy. It never ripened. On the other hand, Arneis is thriving and is a fabulous addition to B.C.’s growing grape repertoire.
Much of Moon Curser’s recent success stems from old-fashioned, hard work. Now 15 years down the road, the vineyards and the knowledge to look after them seem to have meshed. You can’t teach experience, but you can earn it one year at a time, which is the real story of this small, hillside estate winery and one of the most exciting wine lineups in Canada.
At the end of the competition, the winery walked away with several medals led by a platinum for its remarkable ode to the Douro Valley, the 2017 Touriga Nacional ($40). They followed that up with six gold medals for a 2015 Tannat ($40); 2018 Dolcetto ($25), 2017 Malbec ($31), 2017 Tempranillo ($31), 2017 Petit Verdot ($40) and 2017 Dead of Night ($40), a blend of Syrah and Tannat.
All that is left for you to do is try the wine and eventually visit the winery on the Osoyoos West Bench and experience what the Tolleys did when they first got into the business — something new, intriguing and, most of all, different."
To view article click here
Moon Curser Vineyards Best Performing Small Winery in Canada press release
MOON CURSER VINEYARDS NAMED BEST PERFORMING SMALL WINERY AT THE 2019 WINEALIGN NATIONAL WINE AWARDS OF CANADA
For Immediate Release
Osoyoos, BC, August 1, 2019
Moon Curser Vineyards, a family-owned winery located on the East Bench in Osoyoos, BC, is pleased to announce that it has been named Best Performing Small Winery at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada and also ranked second overall in the Top 25 Wineries in Canada.
The WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada is regarded as the most prestigious wine competition in Canada. Led by Co-Founders Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason, a team of leading sommeliers and wine writers had the daunting task of whittling down 1,815 entries, from 259 different wineries in eight provinces, to an elite few. Moon Curser Vineyards received an astounding 11 medals in the competition, including Platinum for its 2017 Touriga Nacional. Moon Curser Vineyards topped the standings for any winery producing fewer than 10,000 cases annually, and ranked second overall for all wineries in Canada.
"We are absolutely delighted,” remarked Co-owner Beata Tolley. “Moon Curser has been a labour of love for us for over 15 years now, and this award is a testament not only to the skill and dedication of our vineyard and winemaking teams, but also to the exceptional growth and development of the South Okanagan as a wine growing region.”
Moon Curser Vineyards was established in 2004 with a focus on making premium wines from established old-world grape varieties not commonly encountered in British Columbia. Chris Tolley, Co-owner and Winemaker, views the location of Moon Curser vineyards as an integral part of his success in the cellar. “We believed that growing interesting world-class grapes like Touriga Nacional, Arneis or Tannat would be possible on the Osoyoos East Bench where the influence of the heat, sun and lake all combine to deliver fantastic growing conditions for these grapes. We still do, now more than ever.”
Moon Curser Vineyards received the following honours at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada:
Best Performing Small Winery
Second Overall – Top 25 Wineries in Canada
Platinum Medal 2017 Touriga Nacional
Gold Medal 2015 Tannat
Gold Medal 2017 Dead of Night
Gold Medal 2018 Dolcetto
Gold Medal 2017 Malbec
Gold Medal 2017 Tempranillo
Gold Medal 2017 Petit Verdot
Silver Medal 2017 Carménère
Silver Medal 2018 Arneis
Bronze Medal 2017 Syrah
Bronze Medal 2018 Afraid of the Dark
To view the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada Best Performing Small Winery announcement, click here. For more information on Moon Curser Vineyards and its award-winning wines, visit MoonCurser.com and be sure to follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for regular updates.
Images Available. Please click here to view the Media Kit and Image Gallery.
ABOUT MOON CURSER VINEYARDS
Moon Curser Vineyards is a small, family owned winery on the East Bench of Osoyoos, a South Okanagan border town known for its hot summers, beautiful lake and vineyards. Moon Curser has been in operation since 2004, when Chris and Beata Tolley purchased an old orchard in need of replanting, and set about converting it into what is now the Moon Curser Home Vineyard block, winery and tasting room.
The Moon Curser name pays tribute to the gold smuggling history of Osoyoos. The Moon Curser wines, however, break from tradition – the winery’s focus has always been on making premium wines from old-world grape varieties not previously planted in the Okanagan such as Tannat, Dolcetto and Touriga Nacional. These varieties have not historically been a part of the South Okanagan viticulture, but thrive in the distinctive terroir of the Osoyoos East Bench and continue to deliver unique, world class interpretations of these wines. Moon Curser wines have earned many a gold medal from Canadian and international wine competitions.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chris Tolley (Co-owner/Winemaking); Beata Tolley (Co-owner/Operations)
gold@mooncurser.com
250.495.5161
SUGGESTED TWEET
Congratulations to @MoonCurser on being named the 2019 @WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada Best Performing Small Winery (insert link to WineAlign page). #NWAC19 #BCWine
Wine Align names Moon Curser Best Performing Small Winery in Canada
Taking top honours and winning the Best Performing Small Winery in Canada after winning 11 medals; 1 platinum, 6 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze.
"Moon Curser has been trolling the National Wine Awards of Canada for years surprising the judges with its “out there” grapes while slowing amassing a collection of gold and silver medals with such non-stream varietal wines as Touriga Nacional, Carménère, Tannat and Dolcetto. What looked like it could be a recipe for disaster has been anything but for co-owner and winemaker Chris Tolley along with his partner, winery manager, and wife, Beata Tolley, who made the jump to the top of the pack this year becoming the 2019 National Awards of Canada Best Performing Small Winery (10,000 cases or less) in Canada.
It’s been a storybook journey for the Tolleys who began taking wine classes in Calgary less than two decades ago and quickly came to the conclusion that owning a winery was the longterm goal. They soon left their jobs and headed for Lincoln University in New Zealand where they both took the one-year Graduate Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology. By 2004 they were back in Canada, where they bought an old cherry orchard on the east Osoyoos Bench in the south Okanagan Valley. By 2006 they had opened a winery.
Twisted Tree, the original, somewhat conservative winery name was dropped after a 2011 marketing overhaul in favour of the Moon Curser moniker. The Moon Curser name embodied the rich history of the South Okanagan when gold smugglers would cross the border regularly during the night. If you have ever experienced a full moon in Osoyoos, you can see why the smugglers would curse the moon that made capturing them far too easy for border guards. As historical as their name is, the winery is hardly tradition-bound. One could argue it may be the most experimental producer in the country.
A lot of the Tolleys’ success is directly related to early one-on-one research done visiting local wineries where they discovered many were producing the same main-line grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. What the Tolleys learned on those early visits was it was the odd Viognier or Syrah that piqued their interest, and it’s been a part of Moon Curser’s (nee Twisted Tree) story ever since. In some ways, not having a traditional wine background and vast knowledge of the world of wine set the Tolleys free to do things others would have never considered.
Certainly planting avant-garde varieties have set the winery apart and in some ways could be instrumental moving forward if temperatures continue to rise in the Okanagan. That said, not everything has worked. Early on, love for Italian varietals led to planting Corvina, a grape widely planted in Valpolicella in the Veneto, northern Italy. It never ripened, but on the other hand, the Arneis is thriving and is a fabulous addition to BC’s growing repertoire.
Much of Moon Curser’s recent success stems from old-fashioned, hard work. Now fifteen years down the road, the vineyards and the knowledge to look after them seem to have meshed. You can’t teach experience, but you can earn it one year at a time which is the real story of this small, hillside estate winery and one of the most exciting wine lineups in Canada.
At the end of the competition, the winery walked away with several medals led by a Platinum for its remarkable ode to the Douro Valley, the 2017 Touriga Nacional. They followed that up with six gold medals for a 2015 Tannat, think Uruguay; 2018 Dolcetto, that’s Italy; a 2017 Malbec, that’s Argentina; a 2017 Tempranillo, a nod to Spain; a 2017 Petit Verdot a classic from Bordeaux; and one final gold for a 2017 Dead of Night, a blend of Syrah and Tannat.
Well, you get the picture, this is one very different producer, and in many ways, a poster child for what we always hoped would be the kind of innovative, family estate winery that would grab the title of the Best Performing Small Winery in Canada. All that is left for you to do is try the wine and eventually visit the winery to experience what the Tolleys did when they first got into the business, something new and intriguing and most of all different."
To view article click here.
The Globe and Mail - The sun shines brightly on these B.C. wines
Some highlights....
"Moon Curser Dead of Night 2016, British Columbia
SCORE: 93 PRICE: $39.99
An uncommon, if not unique, blend of equal parts tannat and syrah. This is Moon Curser’s flagship red, a luscious, velvety cuvée with ripe fruit, cedar, dark chocolate and spice notes supported by tannat’s substantial, astringent tannins. The acidity is well-balanced, and there’s a savoury oak quality reminiscent of gran reserva Rioja. Marvellous for grilled lamb. Available direct through mooncurser.com."
Read more click here
The Globe and Mail - Wine, unplugged: 10 electric bottles without the heavy bass notes of toasty oak
Some highlights....
"MOON CURSER ARNEIS 2017, BRITISH COLUMBIA
PRICE: $22.99
RATING OUT OF 100 - 89
Almost effervescent, this zesty white based on Italy’s underappreciated arneis grape (and an oddity in the New World) comes across with nuances of tangerine, pear, honey and raw almond. Aromatic and vibrant. Available direct through mooncurser.com."
Read more click here
Western Living Magazine - 5 Italian White Grapes You’re Mispronouncing
"For years I didn’t order wine made with the Ribolla Gialla grape in a restaurant because I wasn’t 100-percent sure how to say it. Ditto the grape Grillo from Sicily (which I love): do I pronounce either of the Ls? But never fear – we’re hear to knock of few of your fears from their perch.
...
Arneis The pride of Piedmont, this nearly extinct grape is now back in vogue thanks to its full bodied nature that channels soft pears and apricots. It’s pronounced Ahr-NAYZ
The Bottle Moon Curser Arneis $23 If you can find Vietti, it’s the pinnacle of the grape (and the winery was, along with Bruno Giacosa, the saviours of the grape), but it’s pricey and tough to locate. So let’s go for the wonderful homegrown version from Moon Curser – a treasure and a steal at the same time."
Read more click here
winebc.com - FOUR BC WINE LABELS. FOUR COOL STORIES
"Behind every wine label, there’s a story. Some, however, are better than others.
Below I list a handful of wines featured at the recent Chef Meets BC Grape festival held in Calgary on May 7, 2019. Each wine is memorable because it’s delicious; some even won awards. And every bottle has a passionate, fun, or quirky story to share at your next dinner party or afternoon on the patio.
...
Moon Curser 2017 Arneis
https://m.mooncurser.com/
“Moon Curser is a synonym for ’smuggler’ and is meant to reflect history of Osoyoos, the small border town in the South Okanagan where we are located,” says Beata Tolley, who is Moon Curser Vineyard’s co-proprietor.
“Back in the gold rush days, many gold seekers would travel to this area from California, looking for gold, and then try to smuggle the gold back without paying duty or taxes. Hence the concept of cursing the moon — darkness was definitely a friend when trying to cross the border.”
American artist Andrea Dezso, who specializes in hand-cut paper, mosaic and embroidery, designed the Moon Curser label illustrations. Each contains references to South Okanagan wildlife: deer, fox, even a tiny bat. “The gold pick, the mule, the saddle bags on the Arneis label all reference the gold mining and smuggling activities of days past, as does the wide swath of gold and the little gold nuggets in the corners of the front label,” adds Tolley."
Read more click here
The Daily Courier - Five wine events you can’t miss
"Moon Curser Winery in Osoyoos launches its Something Old, Something New tastings of new releases and library wines; and Summerland fruit winery Sleeping Giant invites you over for complimentary tastings."
Read More Click Here
The Globe and Mail - Moon Curser Dead of Night 2016, British Columbia - 92 points
"Full-bodied, velvety and luscious. Generously fruited with blackberry and cassis, joined by dark chocolate, cedar and spices. An unusual 50/50 blend of syrah and tannat, matured in French oak (30 per cent of the barrels new). Serve it now with saucy red-meat dishes or cellar it for up to eight years. Available direct, mooncurser.com.
Year: 2016
Region: Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Red blend
Price: $39.99
RATING OUT OF 100 - 92"
Read more click here