Meet the Maker
We are pleased to introduce our Winemaker and General Manager Alison Moyes, who joined the team last summer in time to craft the 2021 vintage.
Alison brings extensive experience and a unique blend of scientific knowledge, creativity and passion to the role. After completing a Science degree at Dalhousie University, she found her calling in wine through the food and beverage industry. With the opportunity to taste through, explore and experience the world of wine, Alison was hooked. She studied and acquired her Sommelier certification through the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers and managed one of the top wine lists in the Maritimes for several years. This amazing experience however, left one facet of wine unexplored. The Science. It was the Oenology and Viticulture program at Brock University that completed this final piece and Alison graduated with Honours in 2009.
With vintages in Niagara and over a decade in the Okanagan, Alison has 15 years of experience in cool climate winemaking. We sat down with her to talk about all things Garnet Valley, Pinot Noir and her role at Solvero:
Q. What drew you to the project at Solvero?
A. I have followed the progress of this special place in Garnet Valley, since the vineyard was planted here in 2016. The focus on Pinot Noir & Chardonnay and the care taken in clonal selection impressed me from the outset. The vineyard in this narrow valley, is a high elevation, steeply sloped planting on mixed glacial soils lending itself to premium grape growing. I believe the potential for Garnet Valley and this site in particular is extraordinary. The challenging terrain is not for the faint of heart though! I knew that the ambition and passion it takes to thoughtfully farm here is something I wanted to be a part of.
Q. Why Pinot Noir?
A. I have always been captivated by Pinot Noir. First as a wine drinker and then as a Winemaker. It is a variety that is particularly suited to expressing a story of region, vintage and winemaking philosophy. Pinot Noir is also unique in it’s clonal diversity, with such varied growth and ripening tendencies and indeed flavour profiles as well. As a result, I find it to be the most artistic wine to blend with so much potential for depth, nuance and elegance.
Q. What do you see as the direction and growth for Solvero and the wine portfolio?
A. It is important that Solvero stay true to our focused portfolio and premium small batch production, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay being central to this. As we grow our production in size to approximately 5000 cases over the next several years we will also be introducing you to several other wines that fit within the same philosophy. In 2021 we produced a Pinot Gris and a Pinot Noir Rose. Future wines will include Traditional Method sparkling, Riesling and Gamay. You may even see a Reserve series as well, should the vineyard and vintage call for it.
Q. What are you most excited about?
A. Between our recently released first vintage of Pinot Noir, new whites from 2021 and budburst right around the corner, there is a lot to choose from! We’re also well into construction of a new state of the art winery and tasting room. It’s starting to really come together and I’m excited to host here and share a bit more about what we’re working on. This is an amazing place, but you really have to see it to believe it.
