Alison Moyes is the winemaker for Solvero Wines in Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. She began her journey into wine while studying Microbiology at University and working at a premium wine-focused restaurant throughout. This afforded the opportunity to taste and begin to explore the vast world of wine while sparking a lifelong curiosity into the chemistry and biological processes involved in its production. After completing her Sommelier certification with the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers in 2004, she ran the wine program at Seven Winebar in Halifax, elevating the list to achieve Wine Spectator’s Best Award of Excellence. Drawn to the elements of Art, Science and Nature, she enrolled in the Oenology and Viticulture program at Brock University, graduating with Honours in 2009, having completed a thesis in Sensory Science.
Throughout her time at Brock, Alison experienced several seasons in the Vineyard and Cellar in Ontario before coming to the Okanagan, initially in 2008 and then returning in 2009. Alison brings 17 years of premium Winemaking experience to Solvero, with specific expertise in crafting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Her background includes vintages with Osoyoos Larose, starting as Assistant Winemaker and then Winemaker at Stoneboat Vineyards, followed by 6 years as Head Winemaker at Liquidity Wines.Allison was drawn to the Garnet Valley for its unique climate and biodiversity and Solvero’s vision for authentic, expressive wines. Media Inquiries: alison@solverowines.ca | https://solverowines.ca/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
Our location in Garnet Valley and the establishment of our vineyard here is the real story behind Solvero. Back in 2014 when the Sartor family purchased this 30-acre parcel, it was a rugged and forested mountainside that was selected for its potential to grow world-class, cool climate Pinot Noir. To say that this was an ambitious undertaking would be an understatement. The vision Matt Sartor had for this land drove the effort and after 2 years of preparation, the first Pinot Noir vines were planted on this steep, rocky, western facing slope in 2016. We’ve come a long way since then, but the vision for growing exquisitely authentic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay has remained and is reflected in the wines we are so proud to share today. The goal in each vintage is to create wines that are a true representation of site and season.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
I would experiment like you wouldn’t believe! While I do measured “trials” with different techniques every year to consistently evolve and improve, I’m sure you can appreciate the potential risk of going all-in on something you’ve never tried before. Given that as Winemakers we have one chance every year to create our wines, the core of what we do involves tried and true methods that I know will result in something exceptional. Trying things like new fermentation techniques, aging vessels and even types of wine closures are done on a small scale until we have confidence in how effective they are. If there were no limits on access to grapes and equipment, the possible exploration would be infinite.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
Pinot Noir all the way. This is the central grape variety for Solvero, with 7 clones planted on our Garnet Valley vineyard. The first several vintages are an exclusive representation of Garnet Valley, including our 2020 Pinot Noir. The clonal diversity here is a testament to our commitment to this grape, along with the care it sees in the cellar. Each block and clone is harvested individually and fermented in small batches in order to fully express the characteristics and potential each can bring to the finished wine.
As of 2023 we also have the privilege of working with Pinot Noir from all three of the Summerland Sub-Geographical Indications. Garnet Valley falls into the Summerland Valleys indication, our Happy Valley property is on the Summerland Bench and our talented growing partner David at Kozuki Family vineyards is on the Lakefront. What this means for the future? Great potential and perhaps even a series of Sub-GI specific Pinots. Read my review of the 2020 Pinot Noir here.
Bonus Question: Why Winemaking?
This truly is a role where every day is different and I have the opportunity to continuously learn and evolve. The start of every growing season is like a blank canvas and the excitement of that is the same now as it was in my first vintage. I decided to pursue this as a career path because it appeals to me from a scientific/analytical perspective as well as a creative one. It’s not for the faint of heart though! A tremendous amount of effort and care goes into what we do and as farmers, we are of course subject to the weather. The reward is to be able to share the wines that we have worked so hard to craft and that we are immensely proud of.