The Ascension
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Our Syrah vineyard in Osoyoos has reached its final chapter with this vintage, following a devastating cold snap in late December 2022. The unparalleled cold, which hadn’t been seen in decades, plunged as low as -30°C, claiming nearly every vine in the parcel and bringing an end to this remarkable site. Yet, in the face of adversity, this last vintage stands as a testament to the very spirit we aim for in an Okanagan Syrah—floral, spicy, brambly, and full of life.
SUB-REGION
Golden Mile Slopes
The Golden Mile Slopes are sheltered by surrounding hills, providing protection from extreme weather. While the elevation ensures morning and midday warmth, Mt. Kobau shields the vines from the intense afternoon sun. This balance allows Syrah to ripen fully while retaining its freshness.
SOIL
Gravelly sandy loam
Grown in gravelly sandy loam deposited by an ice lobe that once filled the valley during the last glacial period, these low-vigor, well-draining soils produce grapes with exceptional concentration.
ELEVATION
320-325m
The elevated exposure contributes to crop stability in a sub-GI known for its red varieties.
Reviews for The Ascension
"This new label by Okanagan Master of Wine Geoff Moss, is unfortunately the last production from a syrah vineyard on Golden Mile Slopes near Osoyoos. Two severe winters have ended its run. It is a very balanced, energized and juicy syrah. Pours medium colour depth for this variety. It has a lifted nose nicely combining cherry fruit, Okanagan sage, pepper and moderate barrel spice. It is medium weight, quite smooth yet lively, with fine tannin and excellent length. Nicely done. I was made at Winemakers CUT located in the District Wine Village in Oliver. Tasted January 2025"
"Soren is the project of BC-based master of wine Geoff Moss (and full disclosure, also WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada Judge), made from fruit from the Golden Mile Slopes in the Southern Okanagan, just north of Osoyoos. The syrah is aged in old French barrels, 2nd to fourth fill, and has a real savoury-herbal, meaty, peppery, leafy, dried earth profile, and more in the classic spectrum, with minimal fruit to be sure. I like the refinement and silkiness on the palate, the polished tannins, the comfortably ripe acids, all nicely contained. An accomplished wine for fans of the more savoury genre, drinking quite well now but better in a year or two, or hold into the early '30s. It's a shame that the cold snaps of 2023-2024 wiped out this vineyard, making this the last of its kind, at least for now. Tasted January 2025."