Sunday, Jun. 15, 2008

Ex-Domaine Serene winemaker Rynders to launch own brand

By Wine Press Northwest

Tony Rynders, longtime winemaker for Domaine Serene near Dundee, Ore., has left to begin his own winery and launch a consulting business.

Rynders, a Wisconsin native, worked at wineries in California, Italy and Australia before moving to the Northwest. He worked at Argyle Winery in Dundee before taking a job as assistant winemaker at Hogue Cellars in Prosser, Wash.

In 1998, he moved to Domaine Serene as the winery moved into its new facility in the hills above Dundee. There, he focused on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that gained high regard with critics and consumers.

In May, he left Domaine Serene and announced he would be launching his own winery and winemaking consulting company.

"The Northwest is an exciting, dynamic wine-growing region, and a place where winemaking experience is particularly critical," Rynders said in a press release. "I've been fortunate to work with some of the best vineyards in the world and look forward to sharing that expertise with my clients. There's room for quality wines in everyone's cellar, and I'm excited to play a part in their creation."

Rynders said he's close to securing a production facility in the northern Willamette Valley and plans to plant a vineyard on property he owns in the Yamhill-Carlton District. Additionally, he is an owner in Octave Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley and plans to release a wine from that project in 2009.

He plans to make about 500 cases this fall for his yet-to-be-named brand and perhaps up to 1,500 cases for clients. He wants to keep his operation small and focus on ultra-premium luxury wines. He'll also consult on vineyard and winery design.

For more information, go to tonyrynders.com