Washington Winemaking Behind the Scenes: The Blending Process at Mark Ryan Winery
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↑ Watch our interview with the winemaking team ↑
To celebrate 25 years of Washington Winemaking at Mark Ryan Winery, we interviewed winemakers Mark McNeilly and Mike Macmorran along with assistant winemakers Matt Oakley and Zach Doblar, as they crafted 22 unique blends in late January for our upcoming vintage.
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the blending process with a focus on Mark Ryan’s largest production wine, The Dissident, and see the attention to detail that makes each sip of our wines a representation of our Washington vineyards with a uniquely Mark Ryan style.
Before Blending:
From the time the vineyards are planted, our team starts planning a theoretical blend for each wine. Relying on their knowledge and experience, they envision the potential of every vineyard block, varietal, and each clone. As Mike notes, this initial blend serves as a foundation, a base upon which they can build and fine-tune the final product.
Vineyard Partnerships:
The base for the 2022 Dissident is Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from both Quintessence and Phinney Hill Vineyards. When working with our vineyard partners, it’s essential that we share the same values for quality and attention to detail – even a 1% difference in quality from harvest to bottling drastically alters a finished wine. In our 24 years of winemaking, we have been fortunate to work alongside the best vineyards in Washington – our goal is to accentuate the vineyard character in our winemaking process without heavy-handed winemaking techniques to showcase the excellence of these Washington state vineyards.
Block 17 Cabernet Sauvignon at Quintessence Vineyard | Red Mountain AVA
Improving the Blend:
Once blending starts, the winemaking team relies on their palate and knowledge of how our wines age in bottle to create iterations of each blend. The process is less about what to take away, and more about what to add to supplement the wine. Starting with the theoretical “Blend A,” they refine and adjust small additions from the 300 components at their disposal. For instance, the Cabernet Sauvignon from Quintessence might have great structure but a higher tannin profile; our team added Merlot from Phinney Hill to help soften the tannins and complement the flavors of the cabernet. This meticulous process involves constant evaluation to showcase each wine's strengths while creating balance.
The Balancing Act:
The team strives to coax out the vineyard character, emphasizing fruit while ensuring a well-rounded structure. The art lies in highlighting the inherent qualities of the grapes without imposing a predetermined style on the wine. Occasionally, interventions due to unexpected vineyard challenges, like weather, might be necessary. For example, we can fine the wine by stirring small amounts of egg whites that coagulate and remove the most astringent flavors in a component. However, every time the wine is fined, other components of the vineyard’s character can be stripped away. Over the years we have found ourselves fining less often. As we have honed our winemaking style we are able to let the wine be itself, to create a more authentic expression Washington wine.
The Final blend
“Blend D,” the fourth iteration and final blend of 2022 Dissident, has over 40 components. It takes attention to detail and artistry to ensure a balance that resonates with both our expectations for quality and the flavor profiles that our customers love. While extensive notes from the vineyard and data from our enologist are important, our winemakers craft this final blend by taste, trusting their palates and experience to make the wine at its highest potential. The 2022 Dissident, with its dark, brambly flavors and plush tannins represents the years of care and dedication poured into our wines in their journey from vineyard to bottle, and our commitment to showcasing the best of Washington State. Each bottle is a testament to the unwavering pursuit of excellence in winemaking that we look forward to sharing with you at our upcoming spring release.
