Lynn "Doc" McKinney

 

Volcano Winery was originally started in 1986 by a retired Oahu veterinarian, Lynn “Doc” McKinney. Today, it’s a popular stop for visitors wanting a unique taste from Volcano.

Born in Kansas but raised on a Washington farm, McKinney met his Hilo-born wife, Alana, while they were students at Washington State University. After Lynn received a bachelor’s degree in engineering and then a doctorate in veterinary medicine, the two moved first to Molokaʻi, then Oʻahu to start his long career as an animal doctor. In Waiʻanae he planted groves of seedless limes and sold them to O'ahu stores and restaurants, and started a 40-horse riding stables in connection with the opening of Makaha Inn and Country Club. He also imported Hawaiʻi's first Percheron horses and became a commercial fishing captain while practicing his hobby of making his own beer and wine.

In the 1980s, the McKinneys purchased a 64-acre tract at the back of the newly developed Volcano Golf Course subdivision, built a home there and set about developing \ Volcano Winery, the only one of its kind on Hawaiʻi Island. They chose Volcano for its sunny but cool climate at almost 4,000 feet above sea level and planted four varieties of grape – Pinoi Noir, Gewurztraminer, Isabella and Symphony – in the lava-covered land. When they thrived, he planted 14 acres of Symphony Grape Vines – starting with 2,000 vines in 1986 and adding thousands more in the next few years. The McKinneys also began growing their own tropical fruits and experimenting with different fruit and grape blends for wine. The first wines went on the market in 1991.  Soon fruits like starfruit, lilikoi and even papaya were being blended with grapes and transformed into tropical Hawaiian wine.

Finally, in 1993 Volcano Winery opened its doors to the public. McKienney’s lifelong hobby had become a full-on business in his retirement. Originally, the wines that were offered for sale were two versions of pure grape produced from the Symphony Grape, two different honey wines, Macadamia Nut and Lehua Blossom, and wines blended with local fruit.

In 1996, McKinney fell from a ladder and suffered serious injuries, sending the winery into a decline. McKinney died early in 1998, but that wasn’t the end of the story. The next year the winery was sold to Del Bothof, a Californian who had his own dreams of owning a winery in Hawaii.  The winery remained a family business, where two of McKinneyʻs daughter continued to work for many years.