I had the opportunity to meet with Dianne Oh of MOCOJO Wines and taste their excellent wines at Garagiste North in Kelowna. Ken and Dianne opened the Inn Between the Vines B&B in 2010 and the MOCOJO Winery in June 2014.
Kon spends most of his time working in the vineyard and winery. He is also the Deputy Chief with the Naramata Fire Department. Dianne works in the tasting room two days during the week and on the weekends. Kon and Dianne have 3 children. MOCOJO is their initials in birth order.
Kon believes that the secret to great wines starts in the vineyard. That’s why you will find him in his vineyard at 4 AM during the Summer, caring for the vines before working in the tasting room in the afternoon. Who says being a winemaker is easy!
The Vineyard
The 5-acre MOCOJO Vineyard yard was purchased in 2008 with established vines. The MOCOJO Winery was opened in June 2014. 4.5 acres are planted with roughly equal portions of Merlot, Malbec, Viognier, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Meunier.
Pinot Meunier is a variety of black wine grapes most noted for being one of the three varieties used in the production of Champagne. Champagne house of Krug which makes liberal use of Pinot Meunier in its long-lived prestige cuvees. Only 18 tons of Pinot Meunier were produced in BC in 2021, the latest year for which data is available3. The Pinot Meunier is used in the MOCOJO frizzante style rosé every other year.
Kon also purchases a few grapes from a neighbouring vineyard. All the Mocojo Wines are 100% Naramata grapes. 2,000 cases of wines were produced in 2019.
Harvest 2018, etc.
2018 started off really good with an excellent spring. The temperature was consistent and there was no damage to the late buds. The vines were progressing well until August when smoke from the wildfires showed up in the valley and slowed veraison. However, the harvested fruit looks really good.
During the 2019 winter, we experienced some very cold temperatures. I will soon see if there has been any damage to the Merlot vines. The forecast for the spring and summer weather is good. Time will tell how vintage 2019 sets up.
Kon Oh – Winemaker.
The Wines
MOCOJO sells about 70% of their wine through its Naramata tasting room and Wine Club. In the winter of 2019, the tasting room was doubled in size. The new Wine Shop is open weekends in April and every day from May 1st to October 31st.
MOCOJO Viognier 2017
The wine is made with 100% Naramata grapes. A dry floral Viognier with aromas of jasmine and vanilla and flavours of mango, peach and apricot with a well-balanced long finish.
MOCOJO Gewürztraminer 2018
Aromas of baked pear, baked apple, rose petals and potpourri on the intense nose. The palate is dry and medium-bodied with a light refreshing spritz, crisp acidity and lots of cloves, ginger, pear, apple, white peach, baking spice and grapefruit zest on the finish. Drink with smoked or honeyed ham, duck, Thai red curry, Asian and Indian cuisine, Stilton and smoked Gouda cheese and a backyard patio with friends.
MOCOJO Oh! 2019
100% Estate Pinot Meunier. A frizzante style rosé with aromas of fresh strawberry, cherry and red plum with subtle dried straw notes. The palate is off-dry with a crisp freshness from the lively bubbles and flavours of raspberry, strawberry, clove spice and dried rose petals. Fun, fresh and zippy on the nicely fizzy finish.
MOCOJO Malbec 2017
A rich, ripe nose of blueberry, mulberry, and black cherry with floral violet notes and a hint of spice. The palate is dry and full-bodied with intense and concentrated blackberry, blueberry and lots of black pepper and spice. Firm tannins and crisp acidity give structure and a long finish.
Pairs well with Moroccan lamb.
MOCOJO Merlot 2020
13.8% Alcohol. The Merlot has aromas of smoky espresso, blackberries, cedar and chocolate. The palate is soft and round with ripe tannins and flavours of black cherry, blueberry and blackberry with espresso with a hint of fresh mint note on the finish. 91 Points.
For the complete portfolio of MOCOJO wines please visit the winery website.
References
- Tasting notes provided by MOCOJO Wines except for 2020 Merlot.
- All Photo Credit to MOCOJO Wines except for 2020 Merlot.
- BC Wine Grape Council 2021 Grape report.
Notes
The original article was written in March 2019.
Great story! Mocojo is growing such a surprising range of grape varieties. Would love to taste some of them! Maybe next time my husband goes to BC for work, I’ll tag along.
Lauren: Would love to have you visit the Okanagan Valley, visit the wineries and try the wines. Thanks for sharing the post.
My pleasure! The first chance I get to visit BC again, I will hit you up for suggestions.
Looking forward to it. Cheers, Julian