Syncline Wine Cellars Columbia Gorge AVA the Winery and Tasting

Syncline Wine Cellars Columbia Gorge AVA Winemaker: James Mantone Winery & Tasting Room: 111 Balch Road Lyle, Washington 98635 509-365-4361 www.synclinewine.com The Winery and Tasting Room Located on a southern slope on the eastern edge of the Columbia Gorge AVA, Syncline Winery and its estate vineyards are in the transition zone between Hood River and The Dalles on the Washington side of the Gorge, where vegetation turns from temperate rainforest to dry woodlands of Oregon White Oak and Ponderosa Pine. The lay of the land is rugged and beautiful with stunning geological features. In fact, some 15,000 years ago the Great Missoula Floods scoured out the Balch flood channel on which the winery and its vineyards are located, an elevation of more than 400 feet! From the first conception of the winery, James and Poppie Mantone believed in the uniqueness and the potential of a small family winery in Washington State. In order to achieve their vision, they built a winery based on the simple designs and demands of a wine-growing family and they limit their production to no more than 6,000 cases annually to ensure careful oversight of the entire winemaking process. The Owners and Winemaker James Mantone Winemaker, Vineyard Manager and Co-Founder Originally from the Midwest, James graduated with a degree in Microbiology and Organic Chemistry before moving to Oregon to pursue wine making. First hired as a cellar master, James worked his way to winemaker of Custom Crush production at LaVelle Vineyards (Willamette Valley) where he was exposed to a wide variety of varietals and winemaking styles; from Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Walla Walla Merlot to Northwest Sparkling wine. Poppie Mantone General Manager and Co-Founder Following seven years of world travel, university study in New York City and Amsterdam, and love for wine, Poppie moved to Oregon from Provincetown, MA in 1997 to become involved in the farming and production of wine. She went on to work harvests at LaVelle, provide vineyard labor at Benton Lane, and she practiced Biodynamic farming at Wintergreen Farm, Oregon. The Vineyards and the Wines Steep Creek Ranch Long inspired by the wines of the Southern Rhône Valley, James and Poppie Mantone planted their first estate vineyards to Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre in 1999. Since then, the Mantones have established long-term contracts with some of the finest vineyards in the Columbia Gorge and Columbia Valley AVAs to produce their world- class varietal wines including vineyard designates, as well as cuvees and blended wines, rosés and a sparkling wine. James and Poppie are committed to the principle that outstanding wine is created by great vineyards thoughtfully farmed with well chosen varieties, and they have chosen a select group of growers to work with who have allowed them to become intimately involved in their vineyard management. Go Back to main Columbia Gorge Geological Wine Tour page. .

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