Civic Winery

Civic Winery, an urban winery based in Eugene, Oregon, is a compelling example of a producer dedicated to a "less is more" philosophy. Founders Craig and Susan Weiker, along with their team, have built a project around the idea of a civic responsibility to the environment and the community. Their wines are a direct reflection of this ethos, focusing on organic viticulture and a hands-off, ancient approach to winemaking.

Terroir: Curating Organic Vineyards in Oregon

Civic Winery's approach to terroir is rooted in their strong relationships with organic and biodynamic growers across Oregon. They don't own a vineyard, but rather carefully select their fruit from sites that align with their core values.

• Oregon's Diverse AVAs: Civic Winery sources grapes from a variety of Oregon's renowned AVAs, including the Eola-Amity Hills, a region known for its marine-influenced climate and volcanic soils. This provides them with a diverse palette of grapes, allowing for a range of styles.

• Organic & Biodynamic Farming: The foundation of their winemaking is the fruit itself, and they are uncompromising in their commitment to sourcing from vineyards that are farmed organically and biodynamically. They explicitly state that they use no grapes from vineyards that use glyphosate, a strong statement about their dedication to soil and environmental health.

• Focus on the Grape: The winery's ethos is to create wine from "grapes and grapes alone." This transparency is a key part of their brand, with a clear focus on the quality of the fruit as the primary ingredient.

Winemaking: An Ancient and Minimalist Approach

In the cellar, Civic Winery's methods are a fascinating blend of ancient techniques and a modern, minimalist philosophy. Their winemaking is guided by a desire to create a pure and authentic expression of the grape.

• Amphora and Concrete Aging: A defining characteristic of Civic Winery is their use of earthen vessels, primarily clay amphorae and concrete tanks. They do not use oak barrels, as the goal is to let the fruit express itself without the masking influence of wood. The porous nature of the clay amphorae allows for a slow, gentle oxidation, which adds texture and complexity to the wines. They source their amphorae from Andrew Beckham, a pioneer in this style of winemaking in Oregon.

• Native Yeast Fermentation: All of their wines are fermented using native, indigenous yeasts from the vineyard and the winery. This spontaneous fermentation allows for a more authentic and nuanced expression of the terroir.

• No Fining or Filtering: The wines are unfined and unfiltered, a hallmark of natural winemaking. This preserves the wine's natural aromas, flavors, and texture, and can result in a slight sediment in the bottle.

• Minimal to No Sulfur: They use minimal amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2), if at all, to ensure the stability of the wine. Their stated goal is to make wine that is "delicious so you can enjoy it wherever you are," and they are transparent about any additions they make.

• Pét-Nat Production: Civic Winery is a notable producer of pét-nat, or pétillant naturel, a naturally sparkling wine made using the ancestral method. This low-intervention technique perfectly aligns with their philosophy, as it requires no added yeast or sugar for the secondary fermentation.

Civic Winery is more than just a winemaking operation; it's a technical and philosophical project that aims to connect the consumer with the land. By focusing on organic viticulture, ancient winemaking techniques, and radical transparency, they are producing a new style of Oregon wine that is a powerful expression of their commitment to a sustainable and natural future.