Moon Curser

October 8th 2022- Checking in with The Neighbourhood!!

hello

Checking in with The Neighbourhood!!

 

THE SHOW

 Tasting Room Radio has been celebrating Canadian wine and food for 15 years.

We could not have stayed the course and grown without  the support of our segment sponsors

Thus, each year we make a point of making a feature fuss about our neighbors.

Thing is, we’d be doing feature stories on them anyway because they’re all winners.

When we decided to have a sponsor for each segment we had one bottom line

“if we have to talk about someone for a year,  let’s make sure we like them!  As great people and as singular artisans”!

 We are honored to welcome our in show  neighbors into the feature spotlight (in the order in which they became available)

Jason Parkes CustomsJason Parkes  (Founder) and Develyn Barker (Dreamer and Doer)  West Kelowna, BC

Jason Parkes and crew

Their story just keeps on growing.

Came on board as The Hatch Winery. Well named, as they released well-crafted and accessible wines but they also “hatched” a series of new labels,  all heading in different wonderful directions.

The Hatch, Gobsmacked Series, Hobo Series.

Then came Black Swift, Crown and Thieves, The Hatching Post, Truck 59 Cider House, and SmokeShow BBQ plus  wines such as  Screaming Frenzy, 14 house beers, The Angel Share rooftop restaurant, The Broken Hearts Club speakeasy (house band is Proper Man, also home to Hangover Church, etc)

They have created their own JPC Wine Trail – a 5-hour adventure you will talk about and might even remember.

…And the wines? Bigger and better every season!  Beautifully crafted and pushing the boundaries – much like the people who make them!

JPC is one of the great success stories in BC wine. Best of all, they did it their way!  Rock on!

(there is no known photo of Jason Parkes but he did send this message “wine is just yeast poop”

www.jpcfanclub.com

www.crownthieves.com

www.thehatchwines.com

Unsworth Vineyards – Dan Wright (Winemaker) Christle Pope (Manager)  Cowichan Valley, Van Island

Mere minutes from our home in Mill Bay, it’s also top of mind when we think, “it’s time for wine and dine”

The Turyk Family have created a beautiful destination is perhaps the most gorgeous small farming valley in the area.

Dan Wright  Winemaker

The bonus is , the wines are outstanding and the restaurant is hugely popular.

They have just received a Silver Medal and  91 points for their 2019 Pinot Noir from Decanter Magazine. A first for Vancouver Island winemaking.

The new owners have their own family roots deep into the history of Napa and Sonoma. One of the first decisions was to let the Unsworth team carry on making better and better wines and the second was to start production on a new vineyard outside Duncan.

The future looks very bright for Unsworth Vineyards – so we have much to talk about!

www.unsworthvineyards.com

Moon Curser Vineyards – Beata and Chris Tolley (Owners/Founders) Osoyoos, BC

At the very bottom of the Okanagan Valley is Osoyoos. It’s right up against the US border and surrounded by some of the very best vineyards in Canada.

One of them is Moon Curser. It’s the winemaking passion of Beata and Chris Tolley. It’s also their home.

Well, it was,  until they just had to move off-site to get a break from the daily weight of farming. It’s a hard road,  no whining is allowed.

Chris Tolley

In wine circles, they’re famous for the amazing varietals they make – several are the only ones being made in Canada.

However, what they do make are wines judged to be as good as anything in Canada.  That’s how they were named The WineAlign  Best Small Winery in Canada in 2019.

We’ll be talking Arneis, Viognier, Roussanne Marsanne, Carmenere, Dolcetto, Malbec, Syrah, Contraband Syrah, Border Vines, Tannat, Tempranillo and Touriga National.

Beata Tolley

There’s more. Next time we’ll talk about their bubble program featuring Eclipse, Moonlit and their Heist Rose.

Four of those wines can only be found through their wine club. Giddy Up!

www.mooncurser.com

Hillside Estate Winery  – Kathy Malone  (Senior Winemaker)  – Executive Chef Evan Robertson (The Bistro at Hillside)  Naramata Bench, BC

Kathy Malone

Classy!  

That describes Kathy and Evan, and the rest of the team at Hillside and especially Hillside Estate itself.

A much-honored winery with an atmosphere that comes from being one of the first three wineries in the area and always being a benchmark for Naramata Wines.

Hillside made a commitment years ago to only use grapes farmed on the Naramata Bench.

This conversation was important. To get caught up with Kathy’s latest releases, growing conditions in 2021, and then what dishes Chef Evan recommends from his menu to pair with each wine.

We talk  Cab Franc, Gewurztraminer, Muscat Ottonel, Viognier, Syrah,   Merlot – Hidden Valley Vineyard

From the kitchen,  Evan teases us with Tomato Capresse, Panzanella Salad, House-made fresh pasta, Gnocchi, 50oz Northern Gold Beef Tomahawk.

www.hillsidewinery.ca

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Noble Ridge

Bartier Bros.

Township 7

Napa/SF/Sonoma

Hillside Virtual Tasting

Bill Jones Fall Forage

 

 

 

July 2nd, 2022- Checking in with The Neighbourhood!!

hello

Checking in with The Neighbourhood!!

 

THE SHOW

 Tasting Room Radio has been celebrating Canadian wine and food for 15 years.

We could not have stayed the course and grown without  the support of our segment sponsors

Thus, each year we make a point of making a feature fuss about our neighbors.

Thing is, we’d be doing feature stories on them anyway because they’re all winners.

When we decided to have a sponsor for each segment we had one bottom line

“if we have to talk about someone for a year,  let’s make sure we like them!  As great people and as singular artisans”!

 We are honored to welcome our in show  neighbors into the feature spotlight (in the order in which they became available)

Jason Parkes CustomsJason Parkes  (Founder) and Develyn Barker (Dreamer and Doer)  West Kelowna, BC

Jason Parkes and crew

Their story just keeps on growing.

Came on board as The Hatch Winery. Well named, as they released well-crafted and accessible wines but they also “hatched” a series of new labels,  all heading in different wonderful directions.

The Hatch, Gobsmacked Series, Hobo Series.

Then came Black Swift, Crown and Thieves, The Hatching Post, Truck 59 Cider House, and SmokeShow BBQ plus  wines such as  Screaming Frenzy, 14 house beers, The Angel Share rooftop restaurant, The Broken Hearts Club speakeasy (house band is Proper Man, also home to Hangover Church, etc)

They have created their own JPC Wine Trail – a 5-hour adventure you will talk about and might even remember.

…And the wines? Bigger and better every season!  Beautifully crafted and pushing the boundaries – much like the people who make them!

JPC is one of the great success stories in BC wine. Best of all, they did it their way!  Rock on!

(there is no known photo of Jason Parkes but he did send this message “wine is just yeast poop”

www.jpcfanclub.com

www.crownthieves.com

www.thehatchwines.com

Unsworth Vineyards – Dan Wright (Winemaker) Christle Pope (Manager) Karen Newington (Tasting Room Manager)  Cowichan Valley, Van Island

Mere minutes from our home in Mill Bay, it’s also top of mind when we think, “it’s time for wine and dine”

The Turyk Family has created a beautiful destination is perhaps the most gorgeous small farming valley in the area.

Dan Wright

The bonus is , the wines are outstanding and the restaurant is hugely popular.

They have just received a Silver Medal and  91 points for their 2019 Pinot Noir from Decanter Magazine. A first for Vancouver Island winemaking.

The new owners have their own family roots deep into the history of Napa and Sonoma. One of the first decisions was to let the Unsworth team carry on making better and better wines and the second was to start production on a new vineyard outside Duncan.

The future looks very bright for Unsworth Vineyards – so we have much to talk about!

www.unsworthvineyards.com

Moon Curser Vineyards – Beata and Chris Tolley (Owners/Founders) Osoyoos, BC

At the very bottom of the Okanagan Valley is Osoyoos. It’s right up against the US border and surrounded by some of the very best vineyards in Canada.

One of them is Moon Curser. It’s the winemaking passion of Beata and Chris Tolley. It’s also their home.

Well, it was,  until they just had to move off-site to get a break from the daily weight of farming. It’s a hard road,  no whining is allowed.

Chris Tolley

In wine circles, they’re famous for the amazing varietals they make – several are the only ones being made in Canada.

However, what they do make are wines judged to be as good as anything in Canada.  That’s how they were named The WineAlign  Best Small Winery in Canada in 2019.

We’ll be talking Arneis, Viognier, Roussanne Marsanne, Carmenere, Dolcetto, Malbec, Syrah, Contraband Syrah, Border Vines, Tannat, Tempranillo and Touriga National.

Beata Tolley

There’s more. Next time we’ll talk about their bubble program featuring Eclipse, Moonlit and their Heist Rose.

Four of those wines can only be found through their wine club. Giddy Up!

www.mooncurser.com

Hillside Estate Winery  – Kathy Malone  (Senior Winemaker)  – Executive Chef Evan Robertson (The Bistro at Hillside)  Naramata Bench, BC

Kathy Malone

Classy!  

That describes Kathy and Evan, and the rest of the team at Hillside and especially Hillside Estate itself.

A much-honored winery with an atmosphere that comes from being one of the first three wineries in the area and always being a benchmark for Naramata Wines.

Hillside made a commitment years ago to only use grapes farmed on the Naramata Bench.

This conversation was important. To get caught up with Kathy’s latest releases, growing conditions in 2021, and then what dishes Chef Evan recommends from his menu to pair with each wine.

We talk  Cab Franc, Gewurztraminer, Muscat Ottonel, Viognier, Syrah,   Merlot – Hidden Valley Vineyard

From the kitchen,  Evan teases us with Tomato Capresse, Panzanella Salad, House-made fresh pasta, Gnocchi, 50oz Northern Gold Beef Tomahawk.

www.hillsidewinery.ca

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Clos du Soleil

Fort Berens

Bill Jones  Shroom Master

Orofino

Sperling Vineyards

 

 

 

December 5th, 2020 -The Hatch. Hillside. Moon Curser. Enrico.  A new Season of TRR.

hello

The Hatch. Hillside. Moon Curser. Enrico.  A new Season of TRR.

 

THE SHOW

 Tasting Room Radio began during harvest 2007 on the Naramata Bench. In a studio. In a barn.

Surrounded by vineyards and growers, a bird blasters and really fine people.

We begin our 14th year by welcoming the sponsors for 2021.

If we’re going to be talking about someone for a year they should either be friends or businesses/people that we admire.

So here are the four friends of TRR for 2021.  We thank them for the belief in the show and the support they kindly provide.


Hillside Winery – Kathy Malone  Senior Winemaker (Naramata Bench)

Kathy Malone

Hillside was one of the original wineries of the Okanagan and the third I believe on the Naramata Bench.

“Grow the best quality fruit possible, pick at optimum physiological ripeness, ferment cool, and intervene with nature only when necessary…simple, elegant. Simple, elegant, yes, but easy? Definitely not. Natural, beautiful wine is not manufactured—rather, it is carefully guided through natural phases to become the glorious essence of the effects of sun and soil on specific grape varieties.

It is our belief that great wines start in the vineyard, and to this end, we use only the best quality fruit available from our twenty acres of grapes densely planted on hillside terraces surrounding the winery. We also have partnerships with select vineyards along the Naramata Bench.”

A year after Meg and I moved to The Bench, Kathy Malone left Mission Hill and became the head winemaker at Hillside, just down the road from us.

Kathy brings stories of farming the bench &  the ups and downs of seasons.

They’ve just had a brand refresh with new labels and packaging with three tiers of wines.

Hillside Series

Heritage Series

Single Vineyard/Small Lot Series

 

Kathy walks us through their Sensory Tasting Experience, Seasonal Saturdays at THE BISTRO and the Holiday Gift Guide.

Tasting Room open ?Wed/Sunday 12-5:00

Bistro open Thursday/Sunday 5-7:30

 

www.hillsidewinery.ca


The Hatch  –  Jason Parkes  Lead Winemaker   Develin Barker – Wine Club Conductor (West Kelowna)

Jason-Parkes-Winemaker-The-Hatch-

Talking about everything going on at The Hatch is like going on tour with band of gypsies.

The leader is winemaker Jason Parkes. He seems to be several personalities at the same time. So its no surprise that The Hatch is merely the tip of the Iceberg.

The Hatch etc has returned to TRR for another year.

Once inside Hatchland you can follow the Yellow Brick Road to:

Gobsmacked

The Hobo Series

Screaming Frenzy

Black Swift Vineyards

Crown and Thieves

It’s the home of the band Proper Man

And the new JASON PARKES CUSTOM WINE CLUB, featuring 7 different wine options.

They’ve built and just opened a new home for Black Swift Wines. It’s freaking amazing.

Next they’ll build and open a new home for Crown and Thieves.

There’s Truck 59 Ciderhouse and Food trucks like The SmokeShow.

 

Does it sound like fun?  You bet!

But here’s the best part – THE WINES ARE KILLER GOOD. No fooling around great!

 

Merry Hatchmas!!

www.thehatchwines.com

www.propermanband.com


Moon Curser – Beata.Chris Tolley  Founders. Chris is Winemaker.  (Osoyoos Bench)

 

In 2003 both Beata and Chris completed a Post Graduate Degree in Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University is Christchurch NZ.

In 2004 Beata and Chris started small and well under the radar after their move from Calgary. Chris a software designer, Beata a Chartered Accountant.

The Moon Curser name pays tribute to the Gold Smuggling history of Osoyoos which is right up against the USA Border.

 

Unlike almost anyone else in the Okanagan, they decided right from the beginning to grow, bottle, and sell premium wines from old World grapes.

Tannat, Dolcetto, and  Touriga Nacional.   Then they added Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Tempranillo, Arneis, Roussanne/Marsanne, Viognier.

Then they added AWARDS.  The latest is the greatest.

Moon Curser was recognized as #1 Best Performing Small Winery at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.

The award perhaps explains why so many of their wines are Sold Out.  Beta and Chris will let us know what’s left to order.

They have a great wine club and Beata will explain why club membership would make a great gift.

This is a truly great small winery with a big heart.

 

www.mooncurser.com


Enrico Winery – Lorin Inglis   Manager  (Cowichan Valley)

Lorin Inglis (Enrico)

Enrico is a gorgeous 50-acre estate winery in Cobble Hill Cowichan Valley with a microclimate that allows them to grow 7 different varietals, ranging from fruity whites to full-bodied reds that are unique to Vancouver Island. Enrico Wines are winning medals across Canada and the United States including the first Prestigious Luitenant Governors Award for Excellence in B.C Wines awarded on Vancouver Island.

 

Also, the “Round Table” Wine Club is worth checking out as enrollment entitles you to a tasting room experience from the comfort of your home 2x a year!  This creative way of enjoying wine with friends and family is a timely addition to covid friendly wine tasting experiences

Tempest Ortega

Shining Armour Pinot Gris

Falconet – Petit Milo

Coronet – Oaked Reserve Petit Milo

Noble – Chad

Celebration – Charme de L’’Lile

Red Dragon – Rose

Newton – Pinot Noir

Long Sword – Cab Foch

Braveheart – Cab Libre

A stand out for Enrico Winery is the immediate welcoming atmosphere fostered by the friendly and knowledgeable staff in and around the tasting room.  Live music is often found with a beautiful patio section outside near a trout pond for picnics and tastings.

Walk the estate and take in the rustic experience Enrico has to offer!

 

www.enricowinery.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Winemakers Cut

Fort Berens

The Wine Diva brings the Holiday lists

August 31st, 2019 – Jim Cuddy doesn’t like Rosé !  Plus Moon Curser and Mayhem!

hello

Jim Cuddy doesn’t like Rosé !  Plus Moon Curser and Mayhem!

 

THE SHOW

 

Jim Cuddy – Cuddy Wines by Tawse

Jim Cuddy at Tawse

Jim Cuddy does not like Rosé !

But he basically likes everything else.

As you know, Jim is the co-writer and co-singer with Blue Rodeo, The leader of the Jim Cuddy Band and recipient of The Order of Canada.

When he decided to put his name on a wine bottle he was smart enough to partner with one of the very best names in Canadian wine. Tawse.

They’ve release a Chardonnay, Cab/Merlot and Sparkling Riesling. No Rosé .

We talk about that and other wines. AND we also talk to his winemaker Paul Pender.

Paul Pender – Tawse Winemaker

I’m working on the Rosé  thing. He needs to taste some of the incredible BC Rosés!

https://www.tawsewinery.ca/cuddy-by-tawse/

www.bluerodeo.com

www.jimcuddy.com

Chris Tolley – Co-Owner/Co-Winemaker Wines.

Chris Tolley Moon Curser

 

Moon Curser won the 2019 Wine Align Best Small performing Winery in Canada.

Moon Curser – Best Small Winery 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.

Anthony Gismondi – Co-Head Judge

Moon Curser’s Medal Winning Wines

Platinum: 

Moon Curser 2017 Touriga Nacional, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Gold:

Moon Curser 2015 Tannat, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2018 Dolcetto, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2017 Malbec, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2017 Dead of Night, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2017 Tempranillo, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2017 Petit Verdot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Silver:

Moon Curser 2017 Carmenere, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2018 Arneis, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Bronze:

Moon Curser 2017 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2018 Afraid of the Dark, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

In 2006 they opened the doors to Moon Cursor..except, at the time it was called Twisted Tree.

Rebranding brought the name Moon Cursor.

The location has always been the same..very close to being the last winery in BC..right at the USA  border.

I had already done an interview with Chris when the awards were handed out..so here’s the update from Chris and the whole interview before they won the award.

Congratulations to Chris and Beata Tolley

Moon Cursor Wines

https://www.mooncurser.com

https://www.winealign.com/awards/2019/07/31/2019-nwac-results

Terry Lynn Stone – Co-Partner Mayhem Wines

Mayhem Wines is a fun collaboration between two established wine industry siblings – Terry Meyer Stone of Anarchist Mountain Vineyards and her brother JAK Meyer of Meyer Family Vineyards, along with their respective spouses Andrew Stone and Janice Stevens.

Mayhem Wines

The portfolio consists of aromatic whites  and Bordeaux reds. They source their  grapes from the Meyer Family  home vineyards and established growers of the Okanagan, with an eye for detail in the vineyard and producing quality grapes in a sustainable manner.

Team Mayhem


The Hut at Meyer Family Vineyards

Join Mayhem every Friday & Saturday, 11-4 PM for the Summer of 2019, at their  pop up tasting area at Meyer Family Vineyards.

Be sure to leave yourself extra time for this stop in your wine touring day as you have the opportunity to taste through not only the Mayhem portfolio, but also that of Meyer Family Vineyards. With a smashing  garden, relaxing patio and lawn games, you may just want to stay a while and sip away the afternoon!

Terry Lynn looks  forward to hosting you at 4287 McLean Creek RoadOkanagan Falls,  this summer and during Harvest!

https://www.mayhemwines.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

2019 Pinot Noir Celebration

2019 Garagiste North

Field Blend Special

Fort Berens

The Passion Pit at Orofino Wines

The Cowichan Valley Wine festival