Fossil & Fawn is the collaborative project of Jim Fischer Jr. and Jenny Mosbacher, originating from Jim’s family vineyard—Silvershot (formerly Crowley Station)—in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Though the Fischer family has lived at the Silvershot property since the 1970’s, it wasn’t until 1999 that they began planting their home vineyard. They hand planted 15-acres of own-rooted vine cuttings, gathered from neighboring heritage vineyards, in soils composed of ancient marine sediment, Oligocene sandstone and fossilized seashells. Viticulture is overseen by Jim Fischer Sr., and the vineyard is dry-farmed and sustainably managed.

While Silvershot has become a familiar single-vineyard designate thanks to early supporters like Brianne Day, it wasn’t until more recently that Jim and Jenny began releasing estate wines under their own Fossil & Fawn label. Their first vintage was in 2011, and since then they’ve crafted small, expressive lots from both their home vineyard and like-minded, responsibly farmed sites around the Willamette Valley. Today, Fossil & Fawn operates out of No Clos Radio, a winery and vineyard in the Willamette Valley co-owned with Maloof Wines.

In the cellar, Fossil & Fawn takes a minimalist approach: native fermentations, no additions or adjustments, aging in neutral oak, and no filtering or fining. The result is a lineup of wines that honor tradition while offering a fresh and distinctive take on the future of Oregon wine, executed with a natural approach that allows the vineyard to do the talking.