When we drove into the parking lot at the Moraine Winery we knew this stop was going to be different, because of the sign that greeted us! We were early, only a few cars were parked. However, we were following a winery tour bus so it was time to be nibble before the wine-loving hoard disembarked. Moraine is a family-owned winery and the vineyard is located on the white clay cliffs of the Naramata Bench overlooking Lake Okanagan.
Background
The winery owners are the husband-wife team of Oleg and Svetlana Aristarkhov, who, at a time when they were ready to make a career change, was enchanted by Moraine’s setting. Oleg chose to name the winery Moraine as the name means a glacially formed accumulation of soil and rocks, whose minerals contribute to the grape’s complexity. The couple believes that wine offers one of life’s most simple, enjoyable, and accessible pleasures; and this philosophy spurred their leap into the wine industry. They relocated from Alberta, where they had lived for 15 years, to make premium BC wines.
The Vineyard
The winery looks out to the lake over the seven-acre Anastasia estate vineyard, which is eight years old and is planted with Merlot, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz and Riesling. The seven years old 3.5 acres Sophia Vineyard, is located closer to Penticton and supplies the Pinot Noir for the winery.
The WineMaker
Dwight Sick is a long-time resident of the Penticton area, has been married to his wife Jeanette for nearly 30 years with whom he has 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren. Dwight is an active cyclist, loves to cook and enjoys lazy days spent in his hammock at his 2nd home in Thailand.
His beverage of choice? Rhone inspired wines are a favourite and he can frequently be found with a BC craft beer in his hand.
Dwight inherits a beautiful portfolio of wines crafted by the previous winemaker Jacqueline Kemp. She is a former research nutritional scientist originally from New Zealand, who is now a consulting winemaker at Therapy Vineyards.
Philosophies on Winemaking
Even after 15 vintages as a winemaker, I still consider myself to be a “student” of wine, as the wines, the vineyards that bear the fruit and the art of winemaking are ever evolving.
My beliefs on winemaking and life are very similar in that balance is essential and there must be passion in both. In winemaking, I feel that the product of the passion, that which the art of winemaking must preserve, is typicity and authenticity.
Stellar wines begin in the vineyard and, as a winemaker, you must have the knowledge and expertise to recognize needs or problems from fruit to fruition before they become obviously apparent. While I embrace “Old World” philosophies, I recognize that “New World” technologies also have their place in this process.
The Okanagan Valley’s unique microclimate is the ideal location to grow grapes for making award-winning wines. By combining Moraine Winery’s superior vineyard sites, along with using sustainable vineyard practices, and by adding careful but minimal winemaking principals, we can, and will, produce world class wines that are true to their terroir and that are unmistakably identifiable as being from no where else in the world but from the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley.
Dwight Sick
The Wines
The morning we visited the winery, Toshie was pouring the BC wines and was able to effortlessly look after the crowded wine tasting room. and She was very knowledgeable about both the vineyards and the wine and really helped us enjoy our wine tasting.
Moraine Cliffhanger White 2018
The blend is 51% Gewürztraminer and the 49% Pinot Gris. cold fermented in stainless steel to capture the varietal aromas. Aromas of peach, pear, lychee and orange blossoms intertwine with rich nutty tones. The wine has a generous texture and an appealing spice on the long finish. Good value at $18.
Moraine Riesling 2018
The multiple award-winning Riesling is whole bunch pressed and fermented at cool temperatures. Citrus aromas Citrus with spice ginger and stone fruit. The natural acidity of this wine is balanced well by the natural residual sugars.
Moraine Cliffhanger Red 2015
The 2018 Cliffhanger Red is a Merlot dominant wine, with a smattering of Malbec, from the Anastasia vineyard. Bottling took place after 3 months in French oak. This creates a mouthwatering aroma of raspberries, blackberries, and cassis married together with mocha and dark chocolate. For a young wine, the tannins are soft and easy to approach. This was our favourite Moraine wine from this tasting and an excellent value at $19.
Moraine Malbec 2018
The fruit was exclusively grown on our Naramata Bench Anastasia Estate Vineyard. Medium-bodied and juicy in texture the wine was aged in oak for 10 months. Aromas of black currant, blackberries and black cherries dominant whilst soft, rounded tannins linger on the palate.
Moraine Syrah 2014
The 2017 Syrah was picked from our 20-year-old vines and was aged in oak for 9 months. Vibrant aromas of dark chocolate, white pepper and floral aromas are complemented by the juicy inviting tannins.
Moraine Red Mountain 2016
Named after a historic mining mountain in Western Canada, Red Mountain is a flavourful blend comprised of 46% Cabernet Franc, 29% Malbec and 25% Merlot. Each varietal was nurtured in small fermentation vats allowing for optimal temperature control, tannin, and aromatic extraction. The wines were aged in 100% French oak for 21 months.
Aromas of dark cherries, plums, and black currants topped off with a hint of smokey oak.
For the complete Moraine Winery portfolio please visit the winery website.
Make sure you try the Moraine Cliffhanger Red for the great value in a BC wine.
The original Blog updated in December 2019 to include the current wine listings.