News

New Ownership at Moon Curser Vineyards; Tell No One

NEW OWNERSHIP AT MOON CURSER VINEYARDS; TELL NO ONE

For Immediate Release

Osoyoos, BC, December 12, 2024

Moon Curser Vineyards, a family-owned winery located on the East Bench in Osoyoos, BC, has some exciting news to share, even though, as you might know, our preferred modus operandi is “shhh, tell no one.” They have found new kindred spirits in Sukhi Dhaliwal, Gurjit Dhaliwal and Harjit Dhaliwal, a family of accomplished South Okanagan grape growers, and are proud to welcome them as the new owners of Moon Curser Vineyards.

Chris and Beata Tolley, the winery's founders, plan to retire in 2025 after two decades of shaping Moon Curser into one of Canada’s most celebrated wineries. In the meantime, they will continue working alongside the new owners and the winery’s dedicated team to ensure a seamless transition and a bright future for the winery.

"Chris and I are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished as Smugglers-in-Chief over the past 20-years and are excited to pass the torch to Sukhi, Gurjit and Harjit who share our passion for farming and family," said Beata Tolley. "We are excited to see Moon Curser thrive under their stewardship."

The Dhaliwals bring decades of viticulture expertise and a deep connection to the South Okanagan terroir. As the new owners, they are committed to preserving Moon Curser's legacy of producing world-class, award-winning wines.

Known for their playful, clandestine narratives and distinctive wines, operations at Moon Curser will continue as normal, with plans already underway for bottling in March and an exciting 2025 season ahead. Fans of the winery can expect the same exceptional wines, outstanding experiences and moon-lit shenanigans that Moon Curser has become famous (or infamous) for. 

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 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 has a long history of consistently creating award-winning wines, and was recognized as #1 Best Performing Small Winery at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sukhi Dhaliwal (New Co-owner/Operations)
sukhi@mooncurser.com
250.495.5161

Crystal Coverdale (General Manager)
crystal@mooncurser.com
250.495.5161

Decanter - Moon Curser Touriga Nacional 92 points

We're delighted to see Moon Curser Touriga Nactional '22 rated 92 points in Decanter, tasted by Michaela Morris. It was also in Michaela's 26 top scoring wines in her "Okanagan Valley 2022: A unique vintage in British Columbia" article.

"Exuberant aromas of nutmeg, blueberry pie with toasted crust and candied lilac back the saturated purple hue. The fleshy core of dark cherry and blue plum effortlessly absorbs sweet oak. Tannins are soft but give definition and luscious acidity quenches. A crowd-pleasing red, impossible not to like."

Michaela also rated Moon Curser Roussanne Marsanne '22 90 points.

"While there are subtle notes of toasted nuts and honey, the fragrant, fresh floral fragrances take centre stage. Lavender and orange blossom are joined by cantaloupe in syrup on the palate. Lees stirring augments the smooth, flattering texture. Well-endowed with concentration yet still juicy and refreshing."

 

 

Gismondi on Wine - Top 10: Best of NWAC

"Geoffrey Moss MW shares his top scoring wines from this year's National Wine Awards of Canada. ...

here are my top 10 scoring wines from the competition (all tasted blind). ...

Moon Curser 2022 Touriga Nacional
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia"

Read Top 10: Best of National Wine Awards of Canada

WEBOUEST - Episode's in French about Dolcetto, Malbec, Dead of Night and Syrah

For our francophone conspirators; pour nos conspirateurs francophones, salut!

"Guidé par le sommelier Jérémie Gosselin, nous partons à la decouverte de vins et de cidres locaux de l’Ouest du Canada. Nos dégustations suscitent invariablement des discussions captivantes, offrant une expérience enrichissante aux amateurs de vin avides d’approfondir leur connaissance de cet univers vaste et passionnant."

22 Mai 2024 - Dans cet épisode, Jérémie nous fait découvrir le Sirah et le Dead of night de Moon Curser.

15 Mai 2024 - Dans cet épisode, Jérémie nous fait découvrir le Dolcetto et le Malbec de Moon Curser.

Listen to both Webouest episodes.

The Province - "Wine Guy: Sunny B.C. Viognier"

We're delighted to see James Nevison rate Moon Curser 2022 Viognier an A-!!

"...B.C. Osoyoos-based Moon Curser was an early Viognier adopter, favouring growing more obscure grapes (to B.C.), including Rhône varieties.

Their most recent Viognier brings hallmark traits: heady and aromatic with tropical and orchard fruit, in a brighter and medium-bodied style overall that stays fresh and fruity throughout."

Read full A- review of Moon Curser Viognier.

Global News - Saturday Sips "Wines for Holiday Entertaining"

Moon Curser was on Global News BC Saturday Sips on Dec 23, 2023 "Wines for Holiday Entertaining". Moon Curser's mention starts around 5:25.

Fred Lee, Vancouver's Man About Town and also Senior Director of UBC Alumni Engagement, talks about heading over to the South Okanagan in Osoyoos and the beautiful wine courtesy of Moon Curser. He says "Crystal Coverdale and her team are doing a lovely job producing these wines. There's the Syrah for some beautiful richness for all of your steaks and meats and such. And something very unique to the winery is this Arneis, which is usually found in Italy in the Peidmont region, but apparently it grows very well in the South Okanagan and they have done a wonderful job. This well pair well with your turkey and with sushi and it's just a lovely, lovely white." Jennifer Palma chimes in, "It works hard, it works hard for all."

CBC Daybreak - Christmas red wine pairings with sommelier Shrawan Khanna

Moon Curser Dolcetto was highlighted on CBC Daybreak South with Chris Walker "Christmas red wine pairings with sommelier and BC wine Ambassador Shrawan Khanna" episode. Moon Curser's mention starts at around 4:57.

Chris Walker was very surprised to hear about Dolcetto - a unique grape he'd never heard of. Shrawan suggests that next time you have pizza, you want to go pick up a Dolcetto and that this wine for Moon Curser has won an awful lot of awards - won gold medals from all sorts of championships across Canada and across North America. Listen in to hear the whole chat about Moon Curser Dolcetto on CBC Daybreak South.

Moon Curser Holiday Music Mix on Spotify

Do you know the story behind our winery name? You might have seen our Spotify Moon Curser playlists in the past that are full of clues to help you figure it out. Now it's time for a Holiday version! Hard to believe it's possible but the man with the bag is known for smuggling gifts around the world at night..... 

Our Moon Curser Holiday Mix playlist by Crystal Coverdale is now available on Spotify for your listening pleasure.

Note: you need a (free) Spotify account to listen.

and if you missed our non-holiday playlists:

Our Moon Curser #4 Mix playlist by Beata Tolley.

Moon Curser #3 Mix Spotify playlist by Beata Tolley

Moon Curser #2 Mix Spotify playlist by Beata Tolley

Moon Curser #1 Mix Spotify playlist by Beata Tolley

What makes these playlists Moon Curser-y, you say...? there's definitely a theme, and you will not have much trouble spotting it once you glance at the titles. If you don't quite know the history behind our winery name, the playlists should provide many a clue along with an eclectic selection of what we hope will become your favourites. 

And if you’re still not sure after listening: here’s the whole tale of the Moon Curser name: About Moon Curser's name.

We’re always working on adding to the playlists; suggestions are great if anyone’s so inclined. Email them to gold@mooncurser.com.

The Vancouver Sun - Anthony Gismondi: The best wines of 2023 — get them while they're still in stock

"The best wines of 2023 — get them while they're still in stock"

Well that's a headline we're thrilled to be included in! Thanks Anthony Gismondi for including Moon Curser Arneis 2022 in this Vancouver Sun article.

Read "The best wines of 2023" article.

Castanet - Eight great red wines for the holidays - Moon Curser Syrah 2021

"Wine: Moon Curser Vineyards 2021 Syrah

Why drink it: Syrah grows so well in the Okanagan, and Moon Curser makes an excellent wine with it. Well-balanced, savoury and bold, it has flavours of blackcurrant, dark chocolate and blueberry, with notes of cinnamon and vanilla on the nose.

Pair with: Spicy sausages, spicy red pasta sauces (arrabbiata or puttanesca, perhaps), lamb or charcuterie."

Read Eight great red wines for the holidays.