Antica Terra

A California winemaker walks into Oregon

The story of “Antica Terra” began on an unusual plot of land in Eola-Amity Hills. It consisted of shallow, rocky vineyards that most winemakers would likely have passed up. The turning point came when Maggie Harrison took over the winery. Prior to that, she had worked at the California winery “Sine Qua Non” alongside Manfred Krankl, and moving to Oregon was hardly what one would call a natural next step. Harrison agreed to take on this project on one condition: to produce wine her own way, in harmony with the unique characteristics of this land. It was this decision that shaped everything that followed. This winery has grown from a very small operation into a cult brand with a waiting list for its newsletter, and a barrel cellar has even been set up in Dundee, where tastings are held. The winery remains small and is built on Harrison’s interpretation of the region’s unique characteristics.

A rocky patch above Amity

Antica Terra's vineyards are located within the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley. This area does not have the fertile, deep soils typical of Oregon. The soil here is shallow and rocky, which is a rare feature for this region, known for its wind-blown yellow sands and basalt clay. Antica Terra also sources grapes from other vineyards in the Willamette Valley to expand its product range, while Harrison’s other brand, “Lillian,” uses grapes from Santa Barbara, California. Nevertheless, the Amity vineyards remain the heart the winery and are the reason this project exists in its current form.

Marine fossils under the vines

The soil of the vineyards is history itself. It is a former ocean floor, densely packed with marine fossils and rock fragments, where the topsoil is virtually nonexistent. The grapevines have a tough time here. And that is precisely the point. In addition, cold air from the Pacific Ocean flows through the Van Duzer Corridor into Eola-Amity Hills, lowering nighttime temperatures and extending the growing season. Cool nights, poor, rocky soils, and a long ripening period on the vine give the berries a unique firmness. Small berries, pronounced acidity, and rich, mineral nuances permeate the finished wine. This is a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, but its flavor is unlike the usual.

In the cellar

The work at Antica Terra is characterized by meticulous handcrafted processing that pays attention to every detail. Fermentation takes place in small batches, the grapes are selected with particular care, and decisions are made not according to a set formula, but individually for each batch. The barrel cellar in Dundee is where the wine matures and where visitors can enjoy tastings.

This winery’s style focuses not so much on bright fruit flavors as on creating wines with distinct texture and solid structure. The wines feature oak notes, but these do not overpower the wine’s flavor; rather, they blend harmoniously with it. Production volumes are small, and the range is intentionally limited, allowing the winery to devote the necessary attention to each cuvée.

The range

"Antica Terra" is best known for its Pinot Noir wines, but it also produces Chardonnay and small batches of rosé. Our website features only a selection of the wines currently available, not the entire lineup. Our store’s selection: - “Antikythera Pinot Noir”: produced in limited quantities and resembles the terroir on which Antica Terra has its basis. - “Botanica Pinot Noir”: another Pinot Noir that vividly reflects the region’s characteristics - “Ceras Pinot Noir”: a rounder and more approachable red wine in our selection - “Aequorea Chardonnay”: a white wine from the same estate, produced by our winery In addition, Harrison produces wine under the “Lillian” brand from grapes grown in Santa Barbara. This is a separate project, but it is overseen by the same winemaker. It is the Antica Terra wines that have brought this estate worldwide fame, and the Pinot Noir, in particular, is a coveted treasure for many collectors.