Antica Terra: ‘The most special place in the Willamette Valley’

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A winery in Amity called Antica Terra has been making waves for the last two decades.

“I truly think it is the most special place in the entire Willamette Valley,” said Art Tierce, the head sommelier at Antica Terra. “Antica Terra sits on this beautiful little ridge with this kind of singular series of marine sedimentary soils that was once the ocean floor 40 million years ago.

From the kitchen to the dining area near the barrels — the team here proudly works together, no matter their titles and roles.
      
It’s part of what makes things work at a winery that’s also known for its fine dining experience.
      
Seasonal and local foods are prioritized — which leads them to be open to ideas and changes.

“We might do three or four different menus for one weekend, and I think that’s really special,” Tierce said.

KOIN 6 was there for what’s called A Very Nice Lunch, as Tierce poured some very nice wines.

Even if you have very little wine knowledge, he wants you to know, you’re welcome here.

“Honestly, I can speak from my own experience. Wine can be intimidating. It is scary. Everybody’s afraid to say the wrong thing,” said Tierce.

Chef de Cuisine Ramon Canarios, also known as Chef Ray, is now much more confident about his wine knowledge — and credits the approachable way he was taught at Antica Terra.

“I can actually sometimes blind taste stuff now, which three years ago would’ve never been the case,” he said. “(Tierce) was one of the key people when I started that made me feel comfortable and totally lacking in pretentiousness about it.”

As for the wine experts who want to explore, there’s plenty of room for you here as well, whether to chat about the label designs, or the topography.

“In the label art, we redesign a couple of labels every year. Cera and Botanica are entirely new pieces of artwork,” Tierce said.