OUR TEAM
Rhyne Wines is a family-owned business founded by a 36-year French winemaker, Bénédicte Rhyne & her husband, Richy. Rhyne Wines' mission is to provide our customers with organic, memorable wines to enjoy with loved ones.
We source our grapes from some of the best Texas vineyards and use traditional French winemaking techniques to produce quality wine. We believe that every bottle of wine has a story, and we are excited to share ours with you.
BÉNÉDICTE RHYNE
Bénédicte (de Carmejane) Rhyne is a native of Aix en Provence, France. She received her master in oenology (the study of wine) from the Université de Bourgogne (Dijon) in 1987.
Her first experience was at Chateau Pétrus, in Pomerol, Bordeaux, under the tutelage of renowned winemaker Jean Claude Berrouet. In January 1988 she went to New Zealand to work harvest at Matua Valley wines. Bénédicte then traveled to England and gained marketing and sales experience by working as a sales representative for Berkman Wine Cellars in Yorkshire.
In 1991 Ravenswood Winery in Sonoma, California, invited Bénédicte to join the winemaking-team. Her primary focus was to develop a”Meritage“program. From 1991 to 2001 the winery increased in production ten-fold. This meant a large increase in responsibilities for Bénédicte. She created a sophisticated wine laboratory with well -trained staff and quality control procedures.
In 2002, Bénédicte and her family moved to Fredericksburg, Texas and created a Wine Laboratory to compliment her Wine Country Consulting business.
Bénédicte served sixteen years as the winemaker of Mesa Vineyard - St. Genevieve Wines which was a well-known 1.6 million gallon facility located in Fort Stockton, Texas. She then became the winemaker of Kuhlman Cellars, a quickly growing winery whose door's opened in October of 2014 in Stonewall, Texas to produce fine quality and “Terroir” driven wines from Texas in the style of her native Provence. Since leaving Kuhlman Cellars in 2023, Bénédicte has been crafting wines for many 'Custom Crush' customers around the Texas Hill Country & has officially launched Rhyne Wines!
Loïc Rhyne
Loïc Antoine Rhyne was born in Santa Rosa, California, and raised in Fredericksburg, Texas. As a French American winemaker, his passion for wine was cultivated from an early age through his family's deep roots in the industry. Under the mentorship of his mother, Bénédicte Rhyne, Loïc developed an appreciation for both the science and artistry of winemaking while working in every aspect of the family business, including vineyard operations, laboratory analysis, cellar work, production, and hospitality.
Determined to broaden his experience, Loïc pursued harvest internships throughout some of the world's most respected wine regions. His journey took him from the Texas Hill Country and Texas High Plains to the Rhône Valley and Camargue in southern France, Marlborough, New Zealand, and Oregon's Willamette Valley. Working alongside talented growers and winemakers in each region allowed him to gain a diverse perspective on viticulture and winemaking while deepening his appreciation for wines that faithfully express their Terroir and vintage.
In 2022, Loïc relocated to Walla Walla, Washington, to continue his education in the Enology and Viticulture program at Walla Walla Community College. During his first harvest in Walla Walla, he joined Valdemar Estates, a winery with deep roots in Rioja, Spain, as a harvest intern and quickly became an integral part of the cellar team. After returning for a second harvest in 2023, Loïc was offered a full-time position as Cellar Master before being promoted to Assistant Winemaker, where he continues to work alongside the Valdemar family crafting estate-driven wines.
Today, Loïc combines his French heritage, international harvest experience, and hands-on approach to create wines that balance tradition with innovation. As the next generation of Rhyne Wines, he is dedicated to carrying forward his family's legacy while producing wines that celebrate life, authenticity, and a true sense of place.
Outside the winery, Loïc enjoys hiking and camping throughout the Pacific Northwest, writing and playing music, and gathering around the table with family and friends to share great food, memorable wines, and meaningful conversation.