“This series features both the BC Wine new vintages and a few favourites”
Returning again this year with their #ShiptoSip aka #wineonline features, welcome back to Moon Curser Vineyards. You can always count on one of the most diverse and extensive wine releases from Moon Curser and these new releases are no exception. As many of these wines do sell out you are urged to make your selection and order without delay. Wine Club exclusives are noted.
2020 Viognier
Always a great patio wine, this vintage of our viognier will please with its lovely, rich, round and slightly oily texture and mouthfeel. A hint of sugar (6 g/L) highlights the appealing aromas of Ambrosia apple, white stone fruit and a little bit of grapefruit tartness. Another great match for seafood dishes and sunny weather.
Tasting Notes
A fantastic patio wine, this vintage of our Viognier will be sure to be a crowd pleaser. A medium straw colour in the glass, the vibrant aromas of ambrosia apples, rose petals, pear and grapefruit come bursting out of the glass. This Viognier pleases with its lovely rich, round and slightly oily texture and mouthfeel. A hint of sugar complements the aromas, bringing out flavours of white stone fruit, honeysuckle and orange blossom while still allowing the wine’s natural acidity and minerality to shine through the finish. A crisp, medium-bodied wine, our 2020 Viognier is ready to drink now or be enjoyed over the next three years in order to retain the fruit-forward characteristics.
2020 Arneis
Stylistically aligned with its Piedmont predecessors, this vintage of our Arneis rests its nicely calibrated mid-palate weight and richness on a fresh, crisp streak of acid and a unique brine-y note. This makes our 2020 Arneis such a perfect fit for all seafood, especially oysters and other shellfish. Herbal notes along with lime, black tea and white flowers will have you coming back for another glass.
Tasting Notes
Our “little rascal” draws you in with the beautiful medium straw colour. This light to medium-bodied dry white wine’s nose is subtle with aromas of white flowers, lime and a herbaceous note. On the palate, herbal notes along with black tea, green apple and kiwi will have you coming back for another glass. The wine rests its nicely calibrated mid-palate weight and richness on a fresh, crisp streak of acid and a unique brine-y note. This makes our 2020 Arneis such a perfect fit for all seafood, especially oysters and other shellfish, or any sharp cheeses like Pecorino or Manchego. Arneis is a crisp wine that is ready to drink now and will be best enjoyed over the next two to three years.
2020 Dolcetto
Dry, yet juicy, this Piedmont variety will be sure to WOW with its vibrant nose of violet, blackberry and ripe plum. The bright acidity allows this wine to thrive on the palate with flavours of stewed raspberries and strawberries intertwined with a welcome tannin structure. This wine is great sipping on its own, or with your favourite pizza!
Tasting Notes
We honor the traditional way of making Dolcetto without any oak influence in order to showcase the fresh and fruit driven flavour profile. The 2020 vintage of this wine has actually benefited from the low fruit yields seen in both 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. The 2020 Dolcetto is a medium-bodied red wine with a deep purple colour, bursting with intense aromas of plum, dark chocolate and ripe strawberries on the nose. Flavours of stewed raspberries and strawberries intertwine with a welcome tannin structure and bright acidity that bring this wine to life. A rich, dense texture and a long, warm finish close the deal on this showstopper of a Dolcetto. This is a fantastic food AND fireplace wine! Meant to be enjoyed at a young age, this wine is best consumed over the next three years.
2019 Border Vines
This medium-bodied blend of traditional Bordeaux varieties is our go-to for a versatile red wine with good depth, complexity of flavours and structure – never disappoints. Malbec shines through a little bit more this year, along with the distinct floral notes of the Petit Verdot. Excellent length and concentration of flavours in this vintage – one for the books.
Tasting Notes
The 2019 Border Vines is a dry, medium to full-bodied red wine with a medium ruby colour, and is our go-to for a versatile red wine with good depth, complexity of flavours and structure. Notes of cherry, raspberry and tomato leaf leap out of the glass on the nose. On the palate, this wine is mouth-filling with fantastic weight and good acidity to balance. The nose is complemented with flavours of cassis, sour cherries, vanilla and oregano. Malbec shines through a little more this year, along with the distinct floral notes of Petit Verdot. Excellent length and concentration of flavours in this vintage make it approachable straightaway. This wine will also reward those with patience, as it will benefit from aging in the bottle over the next five to eight years.
2019 Syrah
A medium-bodied, rich and elegant vintage of Moon Curser Syrah. The lower fruit yields experienced in the Okanagan in 2019 has created a lovely concentration of flavours such as dark fruit and gorgeous floral notes, along with the more savoury notes of fresh cigar, dark wood and violets. Bigger and richer than usual, yet approachable and definitely punching above its price point. Enjoy!
Tasting Notes
The palate has a beautiful concentration of savoury flavours such as fresh cigar, dark wood and violets backed up by soft, approachable tannins with a rich, round midpalate. The balanced acidity causes the wine to linger with a finish of clove and a light smokiness from the oak that invites you in for another sip. Bigger and richer than usual, yet approachable and definitely punching above its weight class, our 2019 Syrah drinks wonderfully now but will continue to develop in the bottle if cellared over the next seven years.
2019 Malbec
An elegant, fruit driven interpretation of our Osoyoos East Bench malbec – plum, dark cherry and blueberry compote on the nose and palate, which exists in pleasing harmony with the oak influence and acid levels in this approachable, medium-bodied red wine. Yum.
Tasting Notes
The 2019 Malbec is an elegant Malbec. It is a medium to full-bodied red wine with a dark purple colour in the glass. Intense notes of plum, dark cherry and blueberry compote dominate the nose. The refined, fruit-forward palate has characters of raspberry coulis, raisins and plum, framed with a hint of eucalyptus and violet. The flavour profile sits in perfect harmony with dark chocolate from the French oak influence. The wine is nicely structured with chewy tannins balanced by a lifting acidity. With its balanced structure and warm finish, this wine drinks well now, but with proper cellaring will thrive over the next seven to ten years.
2019 Petit Verdot
Incredibly dark, dark, dark purple in colour, with flavour intensity to match: dark violet and rose petal along with rich blueberry pie and chalky notes. Oak elements are artfully woven through and provide the dark edges on the palate and the long finish. A great vintage for this special and rare wine.
Tasting Notes
Our 2019 Petit Verdot is a full-bodied red wine that is very dark purple in colour and has flavours and aromas to match. Inviting, delicate notes of violet, rose petals and ripe plum dominate the nose. The palate is opulent, complex and complements the nose with notes of cigar box, vanilla, blackberry and stewed blueberries. Oak elements are artfully woven through and provide dark edges on the palate with a welcome note of dark chocolate. The tannins are silky, while the bright acidity lengthens out the finish, which lingers until your next sip. The low crop levels in 2019 made for a fantastic vintage for this special and rare wine. While fairly approachable now, this wine will definitely reward those who can set aside the bottle for eight to ten years of aging.
2019 Tempranillo
An Okanagan Tempranillo, with hints of Douro. This vintage of Tempranillo was harvested with ripeness and depth of flavour in mind. Notes of sweet vanilla, cinnamon, and black cherry dominate the nose, while baking spices, anise, dried fruit and an oak toastiness marry with an incredible acidity backbone and approachable tannins to create a wine worth remembering.
Tasting Notes
The 2019 Tempranillo is a medium-bodied red wine with a medium ruby colour in the glass. This complex, elegant and intriguing wine leans toward the savoury end of the spectrum, although notes of sweet vanilla, cinnamon and black cherry dominating the nose. Baking spices, anise, dried fruit and a distinct oak toastiness marry with an incredible backbone of acid and approachable tannins on the palate. The integrated American oak components contribute to the lovely midpalate weight, texture and long finish to create a wine worth remembering. This is an approachable wine that drinks well now, but would evolve nicely in the bottle over the next seven to eight years.
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
As Christian, our winemaker, says: “This is really nice.” If you have heard winemakers speak about their wines before, you will know this is high praise indeed. This is a big and beautiful South Okanagan cabernet sauvignon that is dark ruby in colour, with fine, slightly gritty tannins. It has a pleasing acid structure that showcases the mad, complex tangle of flavours of raspberry jam, dark berry bramble with hints of mint and cranberry added into the mix. Long finish with definite oak influence. If you like your reds big and are ready for anything, this is the wine for you.
Tasting Notes
This big and beautiful South Okanagan Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine that is deep ruby in colour. It has an intense nose of blackberry, violet, dark berry bramble and a hint of mint. It has a pleasing acidic structure with fine, slightly gritty tannins that showcase the mad, complex tangle of flavours of raspberry jam, cranberry, and plum. The rich midpalate is backed up by the long finish with a nice definitive oak influence. Our Cabernet Sauvignon starts to come into its own at least two years after bottling, although the vibrant fruit present in the wine renders it quite approachable earlier. If you like your reds big and ready for anything, this wine is for you. It will continue to evolve in the bottle over the next eight to ten years, rewarding those with patience.
2019 Carménère
A cult classic that never disappoints. This vintage of Carménère bursts on the nose with notes of lilac, rose, cranberries and black pepper. The smooth tannins and crisp acid profile of the wine allows for the rich texture to shine, carrying flavours of dark cherries, cedar and clove. A wine with an elegance that is unmatched. Another vintage for the books!
Tasting Notes
The 2019 vintage of Carménère is a medium-bodied red wine with a medium ruby colour. The wine bursts on the nose with notes of lilac, rose, cranberries and hints of black pepper. The palate is profiled by the smooth tannin structure, which allows for the glassy and luxurious mouthfeel to shine. The crisp acid profile of the wine highlights flavours of dark cherries, cedar and clove on the palate with a long, savoury finish. A wine with an elegance that is unmatched. Our 2019 Carménère drinks well now, but will also develop in the bottle over the next seven years. Delightful.
2019 Dead of Night
So very good! Seven barrels of our ’19 Tannat and six carefully selected barrels of our ’19 Syrah were used in this vintage of our flagship red blend. Rich, with gorgeous texture and depth of flavour, this is a big, age-worthy and refined red wine that drinks well upon release but will reward those with patience to cellar.
Tasting Notes
Our 2019 Dead of Night is comprised of seven carefully selected barrels of ’19 Tannat and six of the top performing barrels of ’19 Syrah. This red wine is full-bodied with a deep ruby colour in the glass and a nose of cedar, black fruit and vanilla. The palate brings out characters of blackberry, cassis and anise. The wine has fantastic structure; rich, with a gorgeous texture and depth of flavour. The well-integrated but firm tannins provide the perfect backdrop for the wine, while allowing the acidity to carry the lengthy finish. Dead of Night (surprisingly for such a well-structured wine) is approachable and drinks well upon release. However, this is also a wine that has the intensity, acid structure and tannins required to make it an excellent candidate for cellaring up to ten years.
2019 Touriga Nacional
A showstopper of a wine, our 2019 Touriga Nacional leaves our Winemaker Christian’s jaw dropped to the floor. An incredibly rich nose of lavender, fennel, and sage invite you in, while the rich and concentrated palate of rosemary, thyme and stewed blueberries leave you wanting every last drop. The rich, smooth texture with velvety tannins adds a layer of complexity and enjoyment to this wine that are hard to beat.
Tasting Notes
Our 2019 Touriga Nacional is a medium to full-bodied red wine, with a dark ruby colour in the glass. An incredibly rich nose of lavender, fennel and sage invite you in, while velvety tannins, smooth texture and harmonious acidity provide a perfect backdrop for the palate. Concentrated flavours of rosemary, thyme and stewed blueberries leave you wanting every last drop. This is an exceptional wine that delivers a truly captivating tasting experience. Our 2019 Touriga Nacional will reward those who cellar this wine over the next five to seven years. Having said that, this is a wine you will have a hard time not enjoying now. Winemakers are not supposed to have favourite wines, but if they did…
Wine Club Exclusives
2019 Contraband Syrah
Another favourite of our two winemakers this year: juicy, dense, rich and savoury with flavours of dark cherry, leather and hints of dried fruit. Lovely oak integration and tannins; long finish. A quintessential fireplace wine, though we’re quite sure we will not be waiting till winter to enjoy.
Tasting Notes
The 2019 Contraband Syrah truly showcases the excellence of the Bartsch vineyard. This is a medium to full-bodied red wine with a deep ruby colour in the glass. The nose is very rich with notes of dark chocolate, raspberries and cinnamon. The palate follows up with an incredible concentration of flavours and texture. Dark cherry, leather and hints of dried fruit, along with a lovely oak integration, velvety tannin structure and very long finish make this wine the quintessential fireplace wine (though we are quite sure we will not be waiting for winter to enjoy). Our 2019 Contraband Syrah drinks well now, but will continue to evolve nicely in the bottle if cellared over the next seven to ten years.
$31.99 wine club exclusive
2020 Moonlit Frizzante
Made from 100% Viognier, this vintage of our sparkling wine is all about honeysuckle, white peaches and lemon rind – all wrapped up in crisp, fresh bubbles and a tiny kiss of sugar on the finish. Irresistible!
Tasting Notes
This vintage is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Moonlit is a sparkling wine, striking medium golden colour, that is produced using the carbonation method. This wine comes bursting out of the glass with a nose of honeysuckle, white peaches and lemon rind. The palate is balanced, clean and crisp with a healthy dose of acidity. Fresh bubbles carry with them flavours of dried apricots, clementines, white chocolate and a tiny kiss of sugar on the finish. A perfect accompaniment to any patio, seafood dinner, or charcuterie board. To fully enjoy the fruit-forward nature of this wine, it is best to be enjoyed over the next two to three years.
$25.99 wine club exclusive
2020 Roussanne Marsanne
Floral notes of orange blossom and lavender lead the charge on the nose of this age-worthy white wine. The palate follows with ripe peach and bright crisp minerality. About a quarter of this wine spent four months in new French Oak, and the resulting subtle richness adds an intriguing dimension to the flavour profile.
Tasting Notes
Our Roussanne Marsanne is a dry, medium-bodied white wine with a medium straw hue. Floral notes of orange blossom and lavender lead the charge on the nose, while the palate follows with ripe peach and bright, crisp minerality. With a portion of this wine spending four months in oak with lees stirring, the resulting subtle richness adds an intriguing dimension of toast and baked apples to the flavour profile. This elegant wine has a crisp, lengthy finish and is ready to drink now or can be enjoyed over the next three years if retaining the bright characters is the objective. Aging further will allow for development of incredible secondary flavour characteristics from the Marsanne such as marzipan, honey and caramel, and allow the light oak influence to surface.
$26.99 wine club exclusive
2017 Tannat
Aged two years in bottle to allow the boisterous nature of this rare French variety to rest, this Tannat boasts a dark flavour profile of black olives, orange rind and clove. A rich wine with stunning texture and depth. This wine is worth aging in your cellar, if you’re so inclined, and will reward those who do so.
Tasting Notes
The 2017 vintage showcases the characteristics our Tannat is known for: age-worthiness, mouth filling and full-bodied character with a powerful yet approachable tannin structure, and uncommon concentration of flavour. Our 2017 Tannat is aged two years in bottle prior to release to allow the boisterous nature of this rare red variety to rest. The wine is deep ruby in colour and boasts a dark aroma profile of black olives, orange rind and clove. This is a rich wine with stunning texture and depth. The oak and fruit tannins are firm without being aggressive, while acid levels keep this rich and flavourful wine lively and fresh. Although this wine drinks well now, we expect it will continue to benefit from aging over the next ten years at least.
$39.99 wine club exclusive
Wine Clubs
‘In The Know’ – Single Case Club
Our “In The Know” Wine Club is a ONE CASE a year commitment. Once a year, in early summer (most likely May, subject to confirmation), you will receive a shipment of twelve bottles of our wine.
Great wine is not the only benefit though. Your “In The Know” membership also entitles you to:
FREE SHIPPING (using ATS or other shipper of our choice) all the time, on all your wine shipments, any size, any wine, any time. Yes, even 3 bottles, each going to a different address in Canada. FREE SHIPPING. We mean it.
Ability to MODIFY the contents of your wine shipments to suit your preferences
10% off all wine purchases in excess of your wine club commitment.
COMPLIMENTARY guided wine TASTING for you and your guests.
If you visit the winery with friends and family, they benefit from your membership discount on their wine purchases.
GUARANTEED ACCESS to new wines upon their release.
Wine club EXCLUSIVE WINES.
Shipments are charged as they happen, and the individual price of each shipment usually falls between $370 and $400 plus applicable tax/bottle deposit, depending on the wines selected. Please be aware that the contents of each shipment listed here on the website is subject to change.
If you have any questions about membership, or would like to inform us of a change of address, please feel free to call the winery at 250-495-5161 or email our Wine Smuggling Operations Coordinator at wineclub@nullmooncurser.com.
2021 Spring Shipment (May)
Arneis 2020
Border Vines 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Carménère 2019
Contraband Syrah 2019 – Wine Club Exclusive
Dead of Night 2019
Malbec 2019
Petit Verdot 2019
Roussanne Marsanne 2020 – Wine Club Exclusive
Syrah 2019
Tempranillo 2019
Viognier 2020
The majority of our portfolio is made up of small lot wines that vanish very quickly over the busy Osoyoos summer season. Shipping 12 bottles of our new releases to you in the spring will ensure that you are able to taste the new wines right at the beginning of the season – and if you fall in love with one of our smaller lot wines like, say, our Petit Verdot or Arneis, you will be able to lay your claim to additional bottles (at your 10% In The Know discount and free shipping) before the wine is gone.
‘Highly Suspicious’ – Two Case Club
Our “Highly Suspicious” Wine Club is a TWO CASE a year commitment. Twice a year, once in the spring (most likely in April, subject to confirmation) and once in the fall (most likely in September, subject to confirmation), you will receive a shipment of twelve bottles of our wine, frequently from our limited releases.
Great wine is not the only benefit though. Your Highly Suspicious Wine Club membership also entitles you to:
FREE SHIPPING (using ATS or other shipper of our choice) all the time, on all your wine shipments, any size, any wine, any time. Yes, even 3 bottles, each going to a different address in Canada. FREE SHIPPING. We mean it.
Ability to MODIFY the contents of your wine club shipments to suit your preferences.
15% off all wine purchases in excess of your wine club commitment.
COMPLIMENTARY guided wine TASTING for you and your guests.
If you visit the winery with friends and family, they benefit from your membership discount on their wine purchases.
GUARANTEED ACCESS to new wines upon their release.
Wine club EXCLUSIVE WINES.
Shipments are charged as they happen, and the individual price of each shipment usually falls between $370 and $460 plus applicable tax/bottle deposit, depending on the wines selected. Please be aware that the contents of each shipment listed here on the website is subject to change.
If you have any questions about membership, or would like to inform us of a change of address, please feel free to call the winery at 250-495-5161 or email our Wine Smuggling Operations Coordinator at wineclub@nullmooncurser.com.
2021 Spring Shipment (Late April)
Arneis 2020
Border Vines 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Carménère 2019
Contraband Syrah 2019 – Wine Club Exclusive
Malbec 2019
Moonlit 2020 – Wine Club Exclusive
Petit Verdot 2019
Roussanne Marsanne 2020 – Wine Club Exclusive
Syrah 2019
Tannat 2017 – Wine Club Exclusive
Viognier 2020
2021 Fall Shipment (September)
2 X Border Vines 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Carménère 2019
Dead of Night 2019
Dolcetto 2020
Malbec 2019
Petit Verdot 2019
Roussanne Marsanne 2020 – Wine Club Exclusive
Syrah 2019
Tempranillo 2019
Touriga Nacional 2019
The majority of our portfolio is made up of small lot wines that vanish very quickly over the busy Osoyoos summer season. Shipping 12 bottles of our new releases to you in the spring will ensure that you are able to taste the new wines right at the beginning of the season – and if you fall in love with one of our smaller lot wines like, say, our Petit Verdot or Arneis, you will be able to lay your claim to additional bottles (at your 15% Highly Suspicious discount and free shipping) before the wine is gone.
About Us
Moon Curser Vineyards is a boutique, family-owned winery on the East Bench of Osoyoos, BC, a South Okanagan border town known for its hot summers, lakeside fun 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 was recognized as #1 Best Performing Small Winery in Canada at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada and also ranked second overall in the Top 25 Wineries in Canada.
Bottle shots, notes and feature image courtesy of the winery.
