I have always enjoyed visiting Osoyoos’ Moon Curser Winery. The labels alone are worth a closer look, each telling its own story, but it’s the wines that keep drawing me back. Moon Curser has built its reputation on producing distinctive varieties that are still uncommon in British Columbia, including Arneis, Carménère, Dolcetto, Marsanne, Roussanne, Tannat, Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional. Every visit offers the chance to discover something a little different.
Like many Okanagan wineries, Moon Curser was forced to adapt after the devastating January 2024 cold snap destroyed much of the valley’s grape crop. Its Confiscated Series features wines made from grapes sourced from Washington State’s Lake Chelan region, allowing the winery to continue producing quality wines while local vineyards recover.
Here are some of Moon Curser’s newest releases.
2025 Viognier
$25.99 | 421 cases
Made entirely from grapes grown at the Home Vineyard on the Osoyoos East Bench, this Viognier is aromatic, polished and beautifully balanced.
From the winery
“The 2025 Viognier has a delicate pale gold colour. Aromas of apricot, white flowers and quince lead into a dry, medium-bodied palate with bright acidity. Stone fruit flavours are joined by lemon, mandarin and a touch of banana, while wet stone minerality carries through to a lingering finish. Pair with seared scallops and citrus beurre blanc, Thai green curry with prawns, grilled peach and burrata salad, or simply enjoy on a sunny afternoon. Drink now through 2030.”
My notes:
Pale lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. A powerful varietal nose showing peach, honeysuckle, orange zest, pear, and lime. Well balanced with good body. Full on the palate with flavours echoing the nose, followed by a medium-long finish with flavours lingering. A lovely flavour-packed wine. Serve with Brie, salmon in a cream sauce, Indian dishes, or fish and chips.
93+ Points
2025 Roussanne/Marsanne
$28.99 | 279 cases
The fruit comes from the Home Vineyard and Stubbs Vineyard on the Osoyoos East Bench. Moon Curser remains one of only a handful of Okanagan wineries producing a wine centred on these classic Rhône varieties (79% Roussanne, 21% Marsanne)
From the winery
“This dry, full-bodied white offers aromas of orange peel, mango, guava, pineapple, white peach and lemon zest with delicate floral notes. The palate is rich and textured, showing canned peach, wet stone minerality, beeswax and soft vanilla. Despite its weight, the wine remains balanced and finishes long and savoury. Drink now or cellar until around 2030, when notes of marzipan, honey and caramel will begin to emerge. Pair with roasted butternut squash and ricotta agnolotti, chicken tagine or grilled pork sausages with Dijon mustard.”
My notes:
Golden straw with medium-minus intensity. Peach, Ambrosia apple, mandarin orange, floral, and passionfruit aromas on the nose. Very good balance with full body. A flavourful palate with peach flavours dominating. The finish is medium-long with fruit lingering. A good match for curried chicken casserole, herbed roasted chicken, cream-based pastas, or a dish of green beans topped with parmesan toasted breadcrumbs.
92 Points
2025 Dolcetto
$30.99 | 681 cases
Fruit was sourced from Fernandes Vineyard on the Osoyoos East Bench.
Dolcetto is rarely seen in British Columbia, and Moon Curser remains one of only two wineries producing it. True to its Italian roots, this wine sees no oak, allowing the variety’s bright fruit character to shine.
From the winery
“Bright purple in colour, the wine opens with aromas of blood orange, clove and white pepper. The palate is dry with lively acidity and flavours of blackberry, raspberry and blueberry, complemented by a subtle hint of vanilla. Fresh, fruit-driven and versatile, it is equally enjoyable slightly chilled on a warm day or paired with burrata and prosciutto, grilled sausages, or seared tuna with citrus salsa. Best enjoyed before 2030.”
My notes:
A grape whose native home is Piedmont in northwest Italy. Ruby red with medium-deep intensity. The nose opens with dark berries, cranberry, red currant, and blood orange, followed by cherries, plum, and a hint of spice. Good balance with medium body and medium tannins. The flavours follow the nose. A medium finish. This easy-drinking wine is best served slightly chilled. A lovely food-friendly wine to open on a Tuesday night and paired with an appetizer platter, tomato-sauced-based pizzas, spaghetti, or oven-roasted chicken.
88+ Points
2024 Pinot Noir – Confiscated
$34.99 | 657 cases
The grapes for this wine came from Clos CheValle Vineyard in Washington’s Lake Chelan region. Aged for 12 months in French and American oak barriques (22% new).
From the winery
“Pinot Noir is one of the world’s great grape varieties, prized for producing elegant wines but equally renowned for being challenging to grow. The Clos CheValle Vineyard sits between 1,300 and 1,500 feet in elevation, allowing the fruit to ripen while retaining fresh acidity.
The wine shows a medium garnet colour with aromas of ripe fig, wild strawberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, clove, nutmeg and rose petal. The palate is dry with lively acidity, medium-light body and flavours that mirror the nose. Graceful and refined, it emphasizes finesse over power, finishing with lingering floral notes. Pair with roast turkey, lamb chops or Manchego cheese. It will continue to evolve through 2033.”
My notes:
Garnet red with medium-minus intensity. A nose of perfume, red cherry, beetroot, earth, black tea, a touch of cinnamon, plum, and spice. Good balance with medium-plus body. Fruit forward on the palate followed by a medium-plus finish. A little young at this point. It will definitely improve over the next 3 – 8 years. If enjoying now, give it a lengthy decant. Pair with a cheese platter, duck confit, mushroom risotto, or Bolognese pasta.
92 Points.
2022 Syrah
$34.99 | 883 cases
Scheduled for release later this summer.
Fruit comes from Fernandes, Stubbs and Kelliher vineyards on the Osoyoos East Bench, along with Border Vineyard on the west side of Osoyoos.
From the winery
“Deep ruby in colour, this Syrah opens with aromas of licorice, baking spice and fig, followed by blackberry, chocolate and butterscotch. The palate is dry and medium to full-bodied, with flavours of violet, blueberry, cocoa, white pepper and gingerbread. Twenty-four months in Hungarian and French oak adds depth and a lingering toasted finish. Enjoy now or cellar through 2032. Excellent with peppered steak, tomato-based pasta, capicola, Kalamata olives or grilled lamb.”
My notes:
Garnet red with a tinge of purple on the rim and deep intensity. Blackberry, blueberry, black pepper, black olive, spice, plum, and raspberry on the nose. Good balance with smooth, ripe tannins. Juicy and fruit-forward on the palate, followed by a medium-plus finish. This is a big wine that will improve greatly if cellared. If drinking now, it will benefit from a long decant. Serve with BBQ ribs, grilled steak, or any other hearty protein.
91 Points
2024 Diversion
$38.99 | 428 cases
Diversion is exactly what its name suggests—a departure from Moon Curser’s traditional Bordeaux-style blends by incorporating Syrah into the mix (46% Cabernet Franc, 34% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon). Cabernet Franc comes from Julius Vineyard on Osoyoos West, Syrah from Bartsch Vineyard on the Osoyoos East Bench, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Kelliher Vineyard. The grapes were co-fermented before spending 12 months in French oak barriques, 28 percent of them new.
From the winery
“This new blend displays a medium purple colour with layered aromas of violet, leather, ripe black fruit, black pepper, chocolate and cedar. The palate is dry and medium to full-bodied, balancing richness with elegance. Boysenberry and dark plum lead the way, followed by black olive, spice and polished cocoa from the oak. Pair with wild mushroom and lentil stew, charred eggplant or Parmesan lasagna. The wine will continue to develop through 2033.”
My notes:
This appealing blend is garnet red with deep intensity. A big nose displaying aromas of black currant, dark berries, dusty herbs, earth, black pepper, plum, and spice. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins. Mouth-watering on the palate. A touch of cocoa powder lingers on the medium-plus finish. For best results, age this wine or give it lots of time to aerate. Big protein is called for with this one.
92 Points
Moon Curser Winery is located at 3628 Highway 3 East in Osoyoos.
To learn more about the winery and explore its full portfolio, visit mooncurser.com.
(All photos – Sam Hauck)