Michal Mosny plays classical music to the vines in his vineyard in B.C.'s south Okanagan. Mosny was inspired to create his Q&A brand after seeing actor and director Jason Priestley and broadcaster Terry David Mulligan on their wine travel program, Hollywood & Vines.Handout
Michal Mosny believes in destiny. The thoughtful winemaker, who plays classical music to the vines in his south Okanagan vineyard and the barrels of wine in his winery, made his home in British Columbia because he saw actor and director Jason Priestley and broadcaster Terry David Mulligan cavorting around the region on their wine travel program, Hollywood & Vines.
At the time, Mosny was living in Slovakia, running his small winery and working for the country’s largest sparkling wine producer. After work, he and his wife Martina would unwind watching the Canadian duo tour wine regions, including a fateful episode about the Okanagan where Priestley zipped around on a jetski and explored local vineyards. “That was our only connection to the world of wine and we especially liked it because it was so easygoing, so fun,” Mosny recalls.
The Okanagan region captured their imagination. Tickets were booked. Bags were packed for a trip in 2012, which exceeded all expectations.
“We sold everything back home,” says Mosny, who is now established as winemaker and co-proprietor of Winemaker’s Cut in Oliver. “And ever since, I’m just going with the flow.”
Bottles of Q&A wine from Mosny's vinyard.Handout
The launch of the Q&A wine brand was a celebration of that leap of faith. Mosny approached Mulligan about making a wine with the Hollywood & Vines pair to honour the role they played in bringing him to British Columbia wine country. Mulligan didn’t hesitate. Neither did the Beverley Hills 90210 star Priestley, who had enjoyed his connection to Okanagan wine while he was a part owner of Black Hills Estate Winery until its sale to Andrew Peller Limited in 2017.
Now based in Nashville, Priestley has seen a different response to his involvement with an Okanagan winery this time. There are fewer raised eyebrows. “I think recognition of the Okanagan nowadays in Canada and in America is far greater than it was back in 2009 when we purchased Black Hills. I think the quality of the wines has improved exponentially as well,” says Priestley. “It is exciting to be a part of the Okanagan Valley coming into its own in its winemaking heyday.”
When Mosny reached out, he already had a wine in mind to launch the venture. There were barrels of red wines he made during the 2020 vintage. Some contained wines he made with grapes from the Quail’s Wayside vineyard in Oliver. Mosny walked the vineyard and was so impressed that he signed up to buy the grapes even though he didn’t know what he would do with them. Chalk it up to providence.
Jason Priestley, left, and Terry David Mulligan at the Second Annual Niagara Wine Weekend & Auction at Niagara on the Lake, on June 14, 2008.Janice Pinto/The Globe and Mail
The rest of the blend, which includes cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot, came from another contracted property, Chahal Vineyard, located just north of Oliver. A total of 670 cases was produced and released in November, 2022.
Mosny says the 2021 red blend is already bottled and similar in style, while the 2022 is a work in progress. The blend might be slightly different because of the frost damage in the vineyards, with a greater emphasis on merlot.
This month, Q&A adds a white wine, RMV, a blend of roussanne, marsanne and viognier from a vineyard in Osoyoos near the Washington border. Made in 2021, the mouthwatering and harmonious blend – perhaps there’s something to the soothing influence of music on a wine’s fermentation and aging – is truly exciting.
The wines Mosny has been making at Winemaker’s Cut have always shown a sense of style and grace. Adding Q&A to his portfolio is a savvy move that should attract more attention to his talent, while effectively introducing his origin story to the masses. He says there are orders for the red wine from American distributors. Sales in Canada are through the Winemaker’s Cut tasting room in the District Wine Village, retail accounts and online, via winemakerscut.ca
New and Notable B.C. wine releases
1 Mill Road Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 (Canada), $38
Founded by David and Cynthia Enns with a tight focus on small-batch pinot noir from Naramata, 1 Mill Road is now owned by Ben Bryant and Katie Truscott, who are expanding the range. This Pinot Noir Rosé comes from a small vineyard in the new East Kelowna Slopes sub-appellation of the Okanagan Valley. A mix of tank and barrel (18 per cent) fermented lots contribute to the texture and character of this focused and seriously pleasurable rosé. Fresh and pure in style with harmony and a silky texture that’s sure to impress, this delivers refreshment and refinement. Available direct, 1millroad.ca
Clos du Soleil Capella 2021 (Canada), $30.90
Capella is the flagship white blend from Clos du Soleil, a winery that excels at producing stylish whites and red wines from Bordeaux grape varieties. A mix of barrel- and tank-fermented components contributes to the refreshing and herbal character. Vegan. Drink now to 2026. Available direct, closdusoleil.ca
Haywire Gamay 2021 (Canada), $31.99
Okanagan Crush Pad has been reborn as Haywire Winery, with a new tasting room and revamped label. The wine style remains the same, with a focus on bright and enticing expressions. This is an inviting gamay with plummy and berry fruit flavours enhanced by some peppery notes. Serve slightly chilled to amplify its refreshing character. Drink now to 2025. Available direct, okanagancrushpad.com
Hillside Heritage Viognier 2021 (Canada), $28
This is a rich and rewarding white wine that displays the opulent and silky character of the viognier grape. There are pronounced floral and spicy notes that are expressive without being overbearing. Drink now to 2025. Available direct, hillsidewinery.ca
Q&A RSV 2021 (Canada), $40
This is an exciting white blend, with mouthwatering freshness, rich texture and a vibrant mix of fruit, floral and spice notes. It shows the finesse that make winemaker Michal Mosny’s wines so captivating. Drink now to 2026. Available direct, winemakerscut.ca
Q&A 2020 (Canada), $50
This is an inviting and richly layered red wine that shows the ripeness of the 2020 vintage in the Okanagan. It’s bold and flavourful, with juicy fruit and savoury spice notes. Drink now to 2030. Available direct, winemakerscut.ca
Christopher Waters