Lynn Penner-Ash
Lynn Penner-Ash spent over 40 years making wine, primarily in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. After working eight years in California, she moved to the valley in 1988, when the Oregon wine industry was still in its infancy.
From 1988 to 2001, Penner-Ash worked at Rex Hill Winery in Newberg, first as winemaker and ultimately as president. In 1998, she and her husband, Ron, started Penner-Ash Wine Cellars, which produces a number of top-rated wines.
From 1988 to 2001, Penner-Ash worked at Rex Hill Winery in Newberg, first as winemaker and ultimately as president. In 1998, she and her husband, Ron, started Penner-Ash Wine Cellars, which produces a number of top-rated wines.
From the Penner-Ash website (October 2025):
Lynn Penner-Ash’s interest in winemaking grew out of an early passion for the sciences, leading her to study botany, viticulture, and enology at the University of California, Davis. Following graduation, Lynn worked at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Domaine Chandon, and Chateau St. Jean. In 1988, she and her husband Ron moved to Oregon, intrigued by the emerging scene.
Lynn joined Rex Hill Vineyards as one of the first female winemakers in the region, where she remained through 2002. Meanwhile, in 1998, Lynn and Ron started Penner-Ash Wine Cellars, carefully crafting small amounts of Pinot Noir and Syrah. In 2005, they began focusing full-time on building Penner-Ash Wine Cellars.
An early champion of the region’s promise, Lynn has always remained actively involved in the Willamette Valley community. She has not only held leadership positions for Oregon Pinot Camp, ¡Salud! The Oregon Pinot Noir Auction, and the International Pinot Noir Celebration, but continues to act as a valued mentor to fellow winemakers and friends in the valley. When she isn’t at the winery, you can find Lynn out on the water paddle boarding or in her kitchen baking bread.
Lynn's maternal great-grandparents are from the Volga German colonies of Laub and Warenburg. Her paternal great-grandparents were Mennonites from the Black Sea region.
Sources
Sullivan, Sean P. "An interview with Lynn Penner-Ash, co-founder of Penner-Ash Wine Cellars: Part I"
Sullivan, Sean P. "An interview with Lynn Penner-Ash, co-founder of Penner-Ash Wine Cellars: Part II"
Penner-Ash Wine Cellars website accessed October 5, 2025
Sullivan, Sean P. "An interview with Lynn Penner-Ash, co-founder of Penner-Ash Wine Cellars: Part II"
Penner-Ash Wine Cellars website accessed October 5, 2025
Last updated October 5, 2025