Located in the Columbia Gorge AVA, which straddles Oregon and is at the westernmost edge of Washington State's Columbia Valley AVA, Syncline is a limited-edition, small-batch winery that maintains a strong vision of producing world-class wines through innovative winemaking, while also taking into consideration the environment in every aspect of its biodynamic vineyards.
Joyful and fascinating.
This vibrant ruby-coloured wine evokes the impression of strolling through a field of wild berries in bloom.
Attractive aromas and flavors of brambleberries and thimbleberries are complemented by hints of black tea leaves, beautifully framed by a mouthwatering finish of baking spices and wet stone.
Located at high altitude, the renowned Bouchay Vineyards' Grenache produces distinctive wines with balanced acidity.
The multiple layers of soil and long, cool, slow ripening period allow complex flavours to develop.
McKinley Springs Carignan is located at an elevation of 335 metres and is planted in north-south ridges on Warden sandy silt loam soils.
Whether it's the altitude, the careful cultivation or the soil, this vineyard produces some of the most balanced fruit we work with.
All the fruit is hand picked and de-stemmed.
Fermentation is done using wild yeast and is managed by manual punch down, pumping over and pigeage.
The free-run juice is kept separate and barrel-aged in a combination of neutral French oak barriques (Carignan) and oak upright tanks (Grenache).
Bottled in August 2023.
Syncline is a geological term that refers to a section of rock where horizontally deposited strata are bent by lateral pressure, creating a winding valley of rock. The name comes from the Coyote Wall syncline, which can be seen from the winery.
Owners and winemakers James and Poppy Manton's winery and vineyards are located in the Columbia Gorge AVA, straddling Washington and Oregon.
They were also the founding members of AVA in 2004.
The Columbia Gorge is divided into a cool, rain-rich western region and a semi-arid desert eastern region, and they use grapes from this special region as well as grapes from long-established, top-notch growers in Washington State.
Syncline was founded in 1999 by a couple who were making Pinot Noir in Oregon, with just 76 cases, and their winemaking has remained unchanged ever since, with each wine being delicate and elegant.
The winery uses biodynamic farming methods in its own vineyards and has a strong vision of "continuing to produce innovative wines that are environmentally friendly and can be used on a global scale," earning it a high reputation as a limited production winery.