Syncline Wine Cellars - Lyle, Washington

Syncline Wine Cellars - Lyle, Washington

This winery isn't one of the largest in the country, in fact, it does approximately 3,000 cases a year, but the wines are fabulous, just the way a small, family owned winery has the ability of providing.  The winery was started in 1999 by James and Poppie Mantone.  The innovative and careful crafting of the wines is due to the true concern to produce quality wines for the enjoyment of those that buy it.

There are a few wineries on the West Coast that use the Vino-Seal glass closures instead of the standard corks and the Syncline Winery is one of them.  It is a treat to find this quality available in wines from the small winery.

The Mantones produce well-structured, detailed and highly aromatic wines which are priced affordably.  They produce wines that are delightful to drink immediately or to be cellared. 

The Syncline Winery focuses on southern French varietals and explore the opportunities available with such grapes as cinsault, mourvedre, counoise and grenache as well as the syrah and viognier.  This offers the opportunity for you to taste some great wines of differing varieties.

They also make some of the most delightful pinot noir.  This is a unique opportunity to taste some quality wines made right here in Washington state!

The owners of the winery have events to offer the visitors to enjoy not only the wine but live music, food and special wines for sale.  Members of the Wine Club meet annually to enjoy a party for two nights of great friends and great wines.  If you are interested contact the winery and join their Wine Club.

The staff of the winery consists of James Mantone as the Winemaker, Vineyard Manager and founder of Syncline Wine Cellars.  He came from the Midwest, and worked at a number of wineries honing his craft before opening his own winery.  Along with James is his wife Poppie who is the Assistant Winemaker and Saleswoman.  She moved to Oregon from MA and became involved in the production of wine.  Now she is James' right hand.

The winery is located along the Columbia River in southern Washington State.  Their  estate vineyard, Steep Creek Ranch, is located on a southern slope on the very eastern edge of the new Columbia Gorge AVA. Directly west of the vineyard and winery is a series of 300-foot cliffs rising up into the surrounding mountains straight out of the Columbia River. Locally known as the “Coyote Wall Syncline” and to geologists as the “Bingen Syncline,” this dramatic feature gives the winery its name. It is at this point that the rainy western Columbia Gorge transitions to the semi-arid eastern Gorge.

Syncline Wine Cellars
111 Balch Rd.
Lyle, WA 98635

Phone: 509.365.4361
Fax: 509-365-8012
 

Directions:
From Portland:
Follow interstate 84 east from the metro area to exit 64 "White Salmon/ Government Camp." Turn North and cross the Hood River Bridge to a "T" intersection at State Route 14. Turn east (right) and head to the tiny hamlet of Bingen (1 mile). From the eastern edge of Bingen, continue for 4 miles on Highway 14 east. Turn north (left) onto Old Highway 8. Drive for 3.5 miles. Turn north (left) onto Balch Rd. Turn left in 1/10th mile at second driveway #111.

From the Tri-Cities or the East:
Follow State Route14 along the north shore of the Columbia River to the hamlet of Lyle. At the western edge of Lyle, turn North (right) onto Old Highway 8. Drive for 3 miles, then right on Balch Rd. (NOTE: make sure it is the second Balch Rd on the right!).