OUR STORY
We make a small production of sought-after wines, selected intentionally for their merit and potential. Washington State produces some of the finest grapes in the country, and we source from renowned vineyards. We create wines that represent our style with authentic varietal character, resulting in the highest quality we strive for each day.
We started this journey in 1999 with a few tons of grapes in a friend’s garage.
That first vintage sold out quickly, and to say it has been a wild ride is an understatement. Looking back, we never could have guessed where we would land – with critical acclaim abounding, the 14th largest winery in Washington state with national and international availability, and welcoming tasting rooms in Woodinville and Walla Walla.
“When I decided to do it, there was no stopping. Once you start, it’s like running down hill – you have to keep going and figure stuff out as you go.”
Our dedication to producing the highest quality wines is uncompromising. We are authentic, intentional, and approachable.
Always be authentic. Enjoy the ride. Surround yourself with good people. Invest in community – all boats will rise in the tide. Be vigilant. Give people our best. Maintain a ridiculous commitment to quality.
We are a handful of people working to create the best wine possible, every vintage – this mission remains unchanged since 1999.
We are serious about our winemaking and we’re serious about those who come to imbibe with us, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We welcome all to our wine club, tasting rooms and to our family of wines.
We love Washington State
Established in 1999 in Woodinville, Washington, by Mark Ryan McNeilly, Mark Ryan Winery is an acclaimed Washington winery. McNeilly is a largely self-taught winemaker, having crushed and produced his first vintages in garages of friends and family. In the years since its founding, the winery has grown in size, earning respect and acclaim from both wine lovers and critics. In 2017, production shifted from Woodinville to Walla Walla, allowing tasting rooms to open in both cities and helping Mark Ryan become the 14th largest winery in Washington. McNeilly introduced his Board Track Racer line in 2008 and established Megan Anne Cellars, which showcases Oregon pinot noir, in 2016. The Mark Ryan wine family continues to expand and now includes the Lu & Oly, Flowerhead, Board Track Racer, NumbSkull, Underground Wine Project and Mark Ryan Winery brands.
From the first vintage onward, Mark has been a champion of Washington wines. Having made significant contributions to the Washington wine community, McNeilly has helped establish Washington as a prominent U.S. wine region.
Specializing on Red Mountain. We produce wine from grapes grown in the high desert, on a very warm site. They are big-shouldered wines that we coax a great amount of finesse and elegance.
We utilize specific vineyard sites to create our style, and have continued adding a portfolio of the most sought-after vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley, and Columbia Valley.
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MARK MCNEILLY
Founder & Winemaker
Mark Ryan McNeilly is a visionary in the Washington wine scene. With passion and curiosity, he creates exceptional wines that both enthusiasts and critics love. Each bottle with the Mark Ryan label showcases his dedication to pushing boundaries of winemaking, resulting in consistently acclaimed wines.
Mark's journey into the wine world began with experiences in restaurants, working as a server and bartender. These early encounters sparked his fascination with wine and influenced his future in the business. A significant moment came when he transitioned into a sales position for a Seattle distributor. This role allowed him to taste many wines analytically, refining his palate and deepening his understanding of winemaking.
Seeking to learn more, Mark spent two years as the national sales manager for Matthews Cellars in Woodinville and worked at Steele Winery in California. These experiences laid the foundation for starting his own label in 1999. He credits his early success to the vineyard owners and fellow winemakers who graciously provided him access to their sought-after grapes and generously shared their expertise and advice.
Since establishing Mark Ryan Winery, he has become known for his creative thinking in the Pacific Northwest’s industry. Mark's reputation as a passionate winemaker is well deserved, having garnered continual top honors from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast Magazine and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. In 2019, Mark’s The Dissident Red Wine landed on the Top 100 list of Wine Spectator, and the popular “And why am I Mr. Pink?” Rosé, hit #73 on Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buys of 2022.
Mark continues to explore new opportunities, creating unique labels and sub labels, and opening tasting rooms in Woodinville and Walla Walla. His dedication has made him a driving force in the Washington wine scene, inspiring fellow winemakers to embrace innovation and strive for excellence.
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MIKE MACMORRAN
Winemaker & Partner
Mike Macmorran’s success in the Washington wine industry is the result of a remarkable fusion of discipline, artistry, and collaborative spirit. As a child, he followed his great-grandmother as she harvested and fermented cucumbers and cabbage from her garden. This early exposure to culinary alchemy inspired a lifelong passion for working close to the soil blending science with craft, and set him on a path toward working with some of the best winemakers and winegrowers in the state and crafting some of Washington State’s most exceptional wines.
When Mike volunteered as cellar rat for DeLille Cellars in 2005, his dedication and talent were quickly recognized. A new obsession took root, as Mike discovered the synthesis of his passions in winemaking. His ascent in the industry was quick, and he soon earned the title of assistant winemaker at DeLille, immersing himself in the process, learning from the expertise of his talented mentors.
Mike found a kindred spirit in Mark and joined Mark Ryan Winery in 2008, becoming a partner in 2011.
Over the course of the last 16 years, Mark and Mike have developed a friendship that goes far beyond winery operations. Mike and Mark supported each other as they became fathers, watched bemused as their wives bonded over various nerdy hobbies, celebrated the victories of each other’s children, and shared chef duties at innumerable feasts for extended family and friends. Their shared commitment to family, friendship, generosity, and integrity has formed the basis of their friendship and their business.
Mike is an avid outdoorsman, finding great joy in exploring the wild areas of Washington state and the world. He enjoys hiking, climbing glaciers, fly fishing, sea kayaking, back country camping, and cross-country skiing. He is a keen photographer and loves documenting his outdoor adventures through photography. Mike has been happily married to his wife, Rachel, since 2002. They have a son, Jack, who is a delight, and a Bernedoodle named Archie.