Reynvaan Family Vineyards is an estate producer at the base of the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla, Washington, known for low-intervention Rhône-style red and white wines. Founded in 2004 by Mike and Gale Reynvaan, the winery farms two estate vineyard sites, including In The Rocks in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, where deep basalt cobbles shape savory, site-driven Syrahs. Wines are offered through an allocation list, with no public tasting room.
History & Founding
Mike Reynvaan, a former Seattle attorney, and his wife Gale founded the winery in May 2004 after purchasing a 37-acre former wheat farm on Cottonwood Road in Walla Walla, Washington. In 2005, the family planted their first estate vineyard, In The Rocks, situated on an ancient dried riverbed in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. The winery released its inaugural commercial vintage in 2007. Their son, Matt Reynvaan, completed formal training in enology and viticulture before taking over winemaking responsibilities, working in early vintages alongside consultant Christophe Baron of Cayuse Vineyards.
Winemaker
Matt Reynvaan leads winemaking operations for the estate, focusing on Rhône-style red and white varietals alongside select Bordeaux grapes. His approach emphasizes minimal cellar interference, allowing site-specific characteristics to direct the final profile of each bottling. His background includes formal technical study combined with practical experience working alongside established regional producers in the Walla Walla Valley.
Situated at the base of the Blue Mountains, the winery has established a notable standing in the Pacific Northwest for single-vineyard Syrahs that reflect distinct basalt cobblestone terroirs.
The Property
The primary estate property comprises 37 acres on Cottonwood Road at the base of the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla. Farming operations extend across two distinct estate vineyard sites: In The Rocks, planted in the deep basalt cobbles of the dried Freewater Shoreline riverbed in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, and Foothills in the Sun, located along the elevated slopes near the winery base.
Wine Style & Notable Bottlings
The winemaking program focuses heavily on Syrah, co-fermented Syrah-Viognier blends, and white Rhône varietals, characterized by savory profiles, firm acidity, and minimal oak influence. Notable bottlings include:
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Stonessence Syrah (In the Rocks) 2021: Displays notes of pomegranate, river stone, and smoked meat with a refined, focused structure.
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The Contender Syrah (In the Rocks) 2021: Features dark fruit, espresso, and bacon fat aromas with integrated oak and balanced acidity.
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In the Rocks Syrah 2008: Exhibits savory characteristics of olive brine, sea salt, and persistent dark fruit.
Regional Context
The winery operates within the cross-state Walla Walla Valley AVA, utilizing vineyard sites in both Washington and the Oregon side of the appellation. The In The Rocks vineyard lies within The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA, a sub-appellation recognized for deep layers of basalt cobblestones deposited by the Walla Walla River. This unique geology imparts distinct savory, mineral, and saline aromatics that distinguish these wines within the broader Washington wine landscape.
Wines to look for
The winemaking program focuses on savory, site-driven Syrah from the estate's basalt-cobble vineyards:
- Stonessence Syrah (In the Rocks) 2021 Single varietal Notes of pomegranate, river stone, and smoked meat with a refined, focused structure.
- The Contender Syrah (In the Rocks) 2021 Single varietal Dark fruit, espresso, and bacon fat aromas with integrated oak and balanced acidity.
- In the Rocks Syrah 2008 Single varietal Savory characteristics of olive brine, sea salt, and persistent dark fruit.
Our verdict
★★★★☆
Cork & Journey: 4 out of 5 stars. Reynvaan Family Vineyards stands as a benchmark producer of Rhône varietals in the Pacific Northwest. By pairing low-intervention winemaking with distinct estate vineyard sites in the Walla Walla Valley, the winery delivers precise, savory Syrahs tailored for collectors and enthusiasts of site-driven wines.
