Wine Portfolio

Chris Tynan

Winemaker, Cliff Lede Vineyards

Christopher Tynan has been making exceptional wine in Napa Valley for over twenty years. Largely self-taught, he considers the great wines of the world his textbooks and a way to draw on the past for inspiration and the present to guide the future. Thus, his approach to winemaking bestows a style that pays tribute to both tradition and innovation. His exacting philosophy of only employing low-yield vines from select sites, and minimal intervention in the winery, ensures that each bottle expresses the distinct nuances of each vineyard, block, and vintage.

Christopher began his wine career in the vineyard, working summers doing irrigation management for vineyards across Napa and Sonoma counties. Following a harvest at Cain on Spring Mountain in 2004, he was given an opportunity to work the 2005 harvest with the renowned winemaker Helen Turley Wetlaufer at Blankiet Estate in Yountville. In 2006, Christopher became the assistant winemaker at the prestigious Colgin Cellars on Pritchard Hill and worked closely with Vintner Ann Colgin and Vineyard Manager David Abreu for the next five years crafting some of Napa Valley’s most critically acclaimed and collectable wines.

In 2012, Christopher was introduced to Cliff Lede by David Abreu and joined the Cliff Lede Vineyards team shortly thereafter. Christopher brings an unmatched passion and fervent attention to detail. He’s proud to have received multiple 100-point scores from critics over the years, including Robert Parker, Jeb Dunnuck and Lisa Perrotti Brown.

Christopher lives in Coombsville with his wife Katie and son James. In his free time Christopher enjoys traveling, cooking, and collecting wine.

Country born: United States

Education: BA English Texas State University

Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Great vineyards make great wine.