FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Looking to learn more about Fossil & Fawn wines, our winemaking philosophy, or how to buy or visit? Below are answers to the most common questions we get — covering our Oregon roots, minimal-intervention approach, grape varieties, shipping policies, and how to taste with us.

About Us

  • Fossil & Fawn is a small, independent Oregon winery focused on minimal-intervention wines made with curiosity, transparency, and fruit from distinctive Willamette Valley vineyards. You can learn more about us on our About Us page.

  • We are based in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, working closely with vineyards in the area and producing our wines in the greater Portland region all the way down to southern Oregon.

  • We’re known for small-batch wines that balance playfulness and precision. Our focus is on expressive Oregon fruit, minimal cellar manipulation, native yeasts, and a willingness to experiment with styles like skin-contact whites and unique blends.

  • Yes! The hot dog appears on our Piquette, our seasonal bubbly beverage. Piquette is made from leftover pressed grape skins (pomace), grape juice, sugar, and carbonated water. In the spirit of a hot dog, it is made from what might otherwise be considered waste material, upcycled into something uniquely delicious. It’s not wine, though! At just 7% ABV, we consider it to be closer to a hard seltzer in style, just with more recognizable ingredients.

  • Yes, we make three different orange wines: Lightwave, Oregon Orange, and Willamette Valley Pinot Gris. Each vary in color and grape composition, but all share the same process of fermenting white wine grapes on skins for extended periods of time.

  • We enthusiastically support numerous charitable and community organizations, but we are limited in our ability to provide in-kind donations relative to requests received.  We prioritize requests from groups serving the Portland Metro or Willamette Valley, with emphasis on those supporting farmworkers, immigrant rights, legal aid, and transportation justice. Please use the “Contact” form to send your request.

  • Fossil & Fawn is a two-person operation throughout most of the year. Ahead of harvest (September-October), we look for a couple (experience preferred) helping hands to temporarily assist during the busy season. If you are local to the Willamette Valley or Portland-area and are interested in a harvest internship, please contact us at info[at]fossilandfawn.com with your resume and an introduction. (Sorry, applicants must be Oregon residents.)

Winemaking

  • Yes. Our approach is minimal intervention: native yeast fermentations, thoughtful use of sulfur, and no unnecessary additives. We aim for transparency, balance, and wines that reflect where they come from.

  • We work primarily with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris, along with small amounts of other varieties depending on the vineyard and vintage.

  • We source fruit from trusted, sustainably-farmed vineyards using organic and regenerative principles in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. These are long-term partnerships built around shared farming values and expressive sites.

  • We make a mix of classic and experimental wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, skin-contact whites, aromatic blends, and occasional one-off bottlings inspired by vintage conditions.

  • Yes. All our wines ferment with native yeasts present on the grapes and in the cellar. It’s a core part of our minimal-intervention philosophy.

  • Yes. We do not use animal-based fining agents, so our wines are considered vegan-friendly.

Shopping & Shipping

  • You can purchase our wines directly through our online shop or find them at select retailers, restaurants, and wine shops across the U.S. and abroad. See our “Find Us” page for an updated list.

  • Yes. Our wines are distributed in many states and internationally. Check our “Find Us” page for retailers, restaurants, and distributors who carry Fossil & Fawn.

  • We are pleased to offer volume discounts for purchases of multiple cases for serving at events or weddings, please use our Contact form and we will be in touch with details.

  • Yes. We ship to most U.S. states where direct-to-consumer wine shipping is permitted. The list of eligible states is shown at checkout in our online shop. If we can’t ship to your state, contact us and we can recommend other possible options.

    • Orders are shipped via UPS Ground or UPS Next Day Air. 

    • All shipments must be signed for at the time of delivery by an individual 21 years of age or older.

    • Once a shipment is dispatched from our fulfillment warehouse, we are unable to change a shipping address or delay delivery.

    • UPS will make three delivery attempts before returning the shipment to our fulfillment warehouse. We are unable to refund shipping costs and associated taxes and fees.

    • Wine can be damaged when exposed to extreme temperatures (above 75°F or below 35°F), so we recommend any orders shipped beyond the west coast (California, Washington) during the summer or winter months be dispatched via Next Day Air. 

    • In the event of inclement weather, we reserve the right to hold your order to ensure it arrives to you in good condition (we will be in contact with you if this is necessary).

    • Fossil & Fawn is not responsible for the shipment once it is dispatched from our fulfillment warehouse.

  • We will strive to pack and ship your order as quickly as possible, but please allow up to five business days in addition to shipping time to receive your order. You will receive a UPS shipping notification when the package leaves our fulfillment warehouse.

  • In short: because wine is heavy, and there are complex logistics and legal requirements that go with shipping alcohol. Although we ship wine in any quantities, we recommend orders of 12 bottles (aka one case) to maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness, and shipping Ground when temperatures safely allow. Additionally, sign up for our newsletter to receive mailing list-only discounts and offers on wine and reduced shipping rates.

Tasting & Visits

  • We offer tastings by appointment on a limited basis. Availability depends on the time of year and production schedule. We host tastings at our Portland Tasting Studio in NW Portland most Thursdays-Sundays, and seasonally by-request at our production space in wine country.

  • You can schedule a tasting appointment through our “Visit Us” page for our Portland Tasting Studio. For tastings at our production space, please use the form on our “Contact” page and we’ll follow up to confirm availability and details.

  • Our Portland Tasting Studio is optimized for groups of six or fewer people; however, we have the ability to host groups of up to fifteen guests in a standing reception format. Please use the form on our “Contact” page and we’ll follow up. 

  • Our Portland Tasting Studio can accommodate groups of up to six (seated) or up to fifteen (standing). Please use the form on our “Contact” page and tell us about your idea, and we’ll follow up with rates and availability.

  • For Thursday-Sunday appointments at our Portland Tasting Studio, members of the trade can book through our scheduling app on our “Visit” page, just tell us a little about yourself in the “Anything we should know?” field. For all other days, or to arrange visits to our production space, please use the form on our “Contact” page. 

  • We have wine and will travel! We offer tastings, classes, or other wine-focused workshops held at a venue of your choice and scaled to groups large and small. Please use our Contact form and we will be in touch with details.