Fossil & Fawn 'Oregon Orange', Willamette Valley

Not every wine starts as a question, but the 2023 Fossil & Fawn ‘Oregon Orange’ was born from curiosity: what happens if Gewürztraminer sits on its skins for over 300 days? The answer is a textured, aromatic orange wine that pushes boundaries while remaining irresistibly drinkable. With its wild approach and vibrant personality, this cuvée embodies Fossil & Fawn’s motto: Get Weird, Suck Less.

Product Details:

• Winemakers: Jenny Mosbacher & Jim Fischer Jr.
• Varieties: 56% Gewürztraminer, 38% Pinot Gris, 6% Pinot Blanc
• Farming: Organically and sustainably farmed (non-certified) from Sunnyside, Andreas, Finnigan Hill, and Tsai Vineyards; dry-farmed, no artificial herbicides or pesticides
• Vinification:
  • Destemmed Gewürztraminer and Pinot Blanc on skins for ~10 months in egg-shaped fermenters
  • Pinot Gris whole-cluster fermented for brightness and texture
  • Native yeast fermentation, aged in neutral oak
  • No filtering, no fining, minimal sulfur
• Wine Type: Orange
• Style: Dry, Natural
• Alcohol: 12.6%

Sensory Description:

Glowing amber in the glass, the wine bursts with aromas of orange blossom, rosewater, bergamot, and subtle spice. The palate is dry, textured, and layered with flavors of cranberry, citrus peel, and crushed herbs, lifted by bright acidity and a pleasantly grippy structure from extended skin contact. A floral lift and stony minerality carry through the finish, making it as thought-provoking as it is refreshing.

Winemaker's Background:

Fossil & Fawn began in 2011 as an experiment on the Fischer family’s Silvershot Vineyard in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills. Founded by business-and-life partners Jenny Mosbacher and Jim Fischer, the project has since grown into a 5,000-case production, sourcing from their home vineyard and like-minded small growers across the Willamette Valley. Their philosophy is simple: start with good grapes, don’t mess them up, and let the vineyard speak. With an ethos that embraces experimentation and fun, Fossil & Fawn has built a reputation for crafting “Odd & Yummy” wines that resonate with both critics and casual drinkers.

Serving Suggestions:

Best served slightly chilled, around 50–55 °F, in a white wine glass to highlight aromatics. Pair it with dishes that echo its vibrancy: Moroccan tagines, roasted root vegetables, spiced lentil stews, grilled sausages, or strong cheeses. It also shines with adventurous fare like Korean fried chicken or Middle Eastern mezze.

The 2023 Fossil & Fawn ‘Oregon Orange’ is not just another skin-contact wine, it’s a playful, boundary-breaking experiment that delivers depth, texture, and pure enjoyment. Equal parts bold and approachable, it captures the spirit of Oregon’s new wave of natural winemaking while offering something genuinely different in every glass.