Trailblazing Women Winemakers of Washington: Emilie McKinny of Syncline Winery
Nestled in the heart of the Columbia Gorge AVA, Emilie McKinny is making waves at Syncline Winery with her bold approach and deep respect for the land. Originally from California, Emilie’s journey to the Gorge was a winding path through Oregon, New Zealand, and Australia, where she refined her craft and developed her signature style. Now, she’s helping shape the future of Washington wine by pushing boundaries and embracing the unique challenges of this diverse region.
The Magic of the Columbia Gorge AVA
For Emilie, the Columbia Gorge is an ever-evolving puzzle—one that continues to surprise her. “There’s a profound difference in what I thought I knew about this AVA and what I ended up learning in my first few years here,” she admits. The area’s dramatic diversity, from microclimates to soil variations, provides endless possibilities for experimentation. “We haven’t even discovered what the best of the best is here, and things are already screaming the potential this area has to offer.”
This dynamic environment is what fuels Emilie’s creativity. Her portfolio at Syncline Winery includes a striking variety of wines—from Gruner Veltliner and Picpoul to Gamay and Syrah. She even dabbles in cider, exploring the potential of apples and pears in certain years. “The versatility here is unmatched. You can work with so many varieties and styles, and every year feels like an opportunity to learn and improve,” she says.
A Look Into the Future
Emilie believes that the Columbia Gorge AVA is uniquely positioned to lead the wine industry through the challenges of climate change. “With the pressures of climate change globally, I think the Columbia Gorge will be well-suited for being the leaders of the adjustments our industry needs to make,” she explains. The region’s inherent diversity and unpredictability have given winemakers an edge in adapting to changing conditions. As other, more stable regions begin to shift, Emilie believes the knowledge and flexibility cultivated in the Gorge will become invaluable.
On a brighter note, she sees the region’s star continuing to rise. “We still aren’t a very well-known region, and with more familiarity in the global wine scene, people will be flocking to see and taste this place. I hear it from wine professionals all the time, that the Columbia Gorge AVA is the most exciting region to them in WA and that they can’t sing praises enough to buyers and customers alike.”
Building a Community of Women Winemakers
Being a woman winemaker in the Gorge comes with its own unique rewards. Emilie was quick to acknowledge the warmth and support she’s experienced from her peers. “With each new encounter I have with other ladies in the industry, I have been welcomed with open arms and an enthusiasm for another to join the ranks. There’s an honesty and vulnerability that underlines each interaction where we aren’t afraid to acknowledge our mistakes and ask for help or be the first to celebrate new successes.”
She thrives in this collaborative atmosphere, where women are finding innovative ways to push the industry forward. “I have been surprised and impressed time and time again with women finding alternatives to risky operations, implementing efficiencies, or simply recognizing that the devil is in the details and bringing endless value to a team that wouldn’t otherwise be offered.”
Embracing the Art of Winemaking
For Emilie, winemaking is a constant process of discovery. Recently, she’s been fascinated by the larger role of yeast beyond the fermentation process of sugar conversion. “I feel like this changes for me on a yearly basis, but this year I would say is the year of yeast and taking a microscopic look at fermentation and wine health,” she says with excitement. “As a young winemaker, I didn’t understand the scope of what you can accomplish with yeast—not just the yeast that converts your sugars to alcohol but the huge array of naturally present species within your vineyards and cellar and how they can impact the process -good or bad.”
This curiosity and willingness to experiment define Emilie’s approach. She’s not afraid to take risks or try something new, which she believes is essential for any up-and-coming winemaker. “Not settling for okay, always striving for better and sharing what you know. We have all had help getting to where we are, now it is our turn to share that love,” she says.
From California Roots to Gorge Success
Emilie’s love for wine was sparked early on by her grandfather, whose passion for collecting and tasting wines left a lasting impression. “He was really the only person in my life that even cared about wine and still is my favorite person to bicker about wine with since we have polar opposite taste preferences,” she laughs. His unwavering support propelled her through her studies at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and encouraged her to chase her dream across continents.
Now, as she helps guide Syncline Winery and explores the untapped potential of the Columbia Gorge, Emilie McKinny embodies what it means to be a trailblazing winemaker. She’s not just making exceptional wines—she’s helping redefine what’s possible in one of the most exciting and underappreciated wine regions in the world.
