Have Fun with Delicious Wine – It’s Child’s Play! 

A smile crossed my face when I opened the box of Child’s Play wines, sent as samples. Colorful, eye-catching labels were an enticing entrance to four wines crafted by acclaimed winemaker Tony Rynders. The labels were simple yet unique, fun to see and (already aware of Rynders’ reputation) just a peek to what I anticipated in the glass. Child’s Play wines, are the “playful younger sister” to those of Tendril Wine Cellars located in Gaston, Oregon. I was ready to taste the fun!

Tony Rynders

Tony Rynders, Co-Owner and Winemaker at Tendril Cellars, continues his stellar career. He started in the wine business in 1989 at Mirassou Vineyards in San Jose, California after which he received a Master’s degree in Enology and Viticulture from the University of California at Davis. Rynders worked with harvests in Napa Valley, Friuli, Tuscany, and South Australia then assumed various winemaking duties at Argyle, Hogue Cellars, and Domaine Serene/Rockblock Cellars where he was Head Winemaker. Along with his stint at Tendril Cellars, he has a custom crush winemaking service and owns a consulting firm that provides counsel in vineyard design and development, wine quality improvement, brand development, and product development.

For Tony Rynders, serious winemaking is anything but the traditional meaning of “child’s play”, defined as “a task that is easily accomplished”. While at Domaine Serene, hard work and a knowledge of his craft were recognized. He obtained more 90+ scores from Wine Spectator than any other winemaker during that period – just one of many accolades the winery received thanks to Rynders’ winemaking acumen.

Child’s Play Wines

Playful? Yes! Tony Rynders is ready to bask in a pleasurable side of winemaking with “straight-forward, fruit-focused, delicious wines of quality” of grapes sourced from long-term grower partners in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Washington’s Columbia Valley. Although each wine from the Child’s Play line is intended to be enjoyed upon release, they have the ability to be cellared for 2-5 years.

And those beautiful labels? Tony Rynders is proud to highlight the distinctive, happy-go-lucky artwork of his two daughters, Madeline and Audrey.

We can’t have much more fun than the Child’s Play 2017 Pinot Chardonnay ($30), the United States’ only still Pinot Chardonnay (that the producers are aware of, at least…). Consisting of 70% Chardonnay and 30% “White” Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, this wine was absolutely refreshing due to its clean, pure aromas and flavors of juicy pears, ripe melon, citrus, and a touch of minerality. Aged for six months in stainless steel, this snappy wine paired just as easily with a spinach salad and grilled seafood as it did with a bag of Skittles. I can attest to that!

The vibrant rose color of Child’s Play 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir ($30) was a beauty to behold. Served chilled, I discovered ripe red strawberries and raspberries, rich plums, pomegranate, and cranberries on both the nose and palate. Its tart finish was a delight and I lingered over the last fruit forward sip. Of 100% Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, I thought how delicious this rosé would be paired with my grandmother’s rhubarb pie. For the record, she was fun, too…

Toss a few burgers on the grill and open the bottle of Child’s Play 2015 Pinot Noir ($30) for an easy drinking taste sensation of 100% Pinot Noir cultivated in the Willamette Valley. Aged for ten months in primarily neutral French oak barrels, I found plenty of spice, raspberries, black cherries, dark plum, anise, and herbs from the first whiff to the last sip. Bright acidity and elegant tannins provided a firm structure to this luscious Pinot Noir.

Zinfandel aficionados, let’s stand behind Child’s Play 2015 Zinfandel ($30) as it leads the way. Created for Tony Rynders’ wife, Diane, a self-proclaimed lover of Zinfandel, this flavorful example of 100% Zinfandel from the Columbia Valley in Washington was aged for fourteen months in young French oak. On the nose, subtle aromas of blackberries, dark plums, mint, and spice were lovely. My palate was more than satisfied with brilliant notes of red and black fruit, vanilla, and a hint of pepper. A round mouthfeel, soft tannins, and mouthwatering acidity framed this just-right wine that begs for a spicy pizza and a fun evening!

It’s simple: tasting delicious wine from Tony Rynders really is “child’s play”, isn’t it?

Cheers! ~ Cindy