Syncline Winery Grenache 2023

 Aromas of ripe strawberry and raspberry leap from the glass. The juicy mid-palate delivers a satisfying burst of red fruit, balanced by subtle hints of coffee that add depth and complexity. This Grenache is both lively and layered, offering a delightful interplay of freshness and richness that will reward aging.

Located at high elevation, the celebrated Boushey Vineyard Grenache from the Yakima Valley produces wines of distinct character with balanced acidity. Layered soils and long, cool, slow ripening time allow for complex flavor development. 

The forces that helped form Heart of the Hill and the Red Mountain geology, were truly gigantic. The deep bedrock of most of the Columbia Basin is basalt, formed from the massive lava outflows caused by intense volcanic activity. On top of the basalt lie layers of sediment deposited by repeated ancient floods. On top of the sediment are layers of sand and silt from eons of erosion and weathering. The high alkalinity and high calcium carbonate content produce wines of incredible structure and longevity.

All fruit was hand-picked and fermented as 30% whole cluster, 70% de-stemmed. Fermentation was with native yeast, utilizing punch downs, pump-overs and pigeage à pied in oak upright tanks. No fining or additions. Free run juice was kept separate for elevage in neutral oak upright tanks.

Syncline ('sin-klin): a trough of stratified rock in which the beds dip toward each other from either side. The winery is named after the Coyote Wall Syncline visible from the property.

Owners and winemakers James and Poppy Manton's winery and vineyards are located in the Columbia Gorge AVA, which straddles Washington and Oregon. They were part of the small group that founded the Columbia Gorge AVA in 2004. The AVA is divided into a cool, rainfall-rich western part and a semi-arid desert eastern part. They source grapes from both areas of this special region and from top-rated growers throughout Washington State.

Started in 1999 with only 76 cases by a couple who had been making Pinot Noir in Oregon, Syncline's winemaking philosophy has remained consistent. All wines are delicate and elegant. They have built a strong reputation as a creative, limited-production,　autonomous estate winery with a vision of creating world-class wines while maintaining biodynamic estate vineyards, green building practices, and innovative winegrowing.