Experiences at tasting rooms can vary drastically from the mundane and sterile to the captivating and memorable. In addition to the wines, what usually sways this pendulum is the experience in the tasting room.
The CLYZM Wines tasting room, in downtown White Salmon in the Columbia River Gorge, is manned by the winemaker and owner himself, creating an intimate and unique atmosphere. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience tasting through the CLYZM lineup with Austin and are excited to share our conversation together.
Interview with Startup Winemaker, Austin Culver
Wine Scribes: Let’s start at the beginning: What brought you into the wine world?
Austin Culver: I got started in wine working at the family 3 acre Zinfandel Vineyard [in Paso Robes]; my dad planted the [vineyard] the year I was born. I then moved to Boulder, CO to study Biochemistry with an aim to pursue beer, wine, or cannabis afterwards.
What was the thought process behind starting your own label?
I have always wanted to be my own boss and have creative freedom. It’s important to me to aim for self-employment as all my immediate family members are small business owners.
Where do you produce the wine?
The wines are made at Jacob Williams Winery. Local superstar 3rd generation winemaker Peter Cushman is my wine guru. We started working together in 2021 with me as his cellar master. Since then it’s been a privilege to be able to draw from his wealth of knowledge.
What does the business look like in ten years, ideally?
In ten years, I would like to own and operate an estate winery with a reputation for producing some of the most unique wines in the PNW.
CLYZM Wines, Columbia River Gorge
Vintages: 2021, 2022, 2023
Cases produced: 250 (2021), 150 (2022), 1,000 (2023)
Varietals: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Clairette Blanche, Saperavi,
Who has largest impact and/or influence on your style of winemaking?
Consumers definitely have the biggest impact on my winemaking style. Now that I have a point of sale, being able to see what people react to in the tasting room has been hugely influential on where I plan to go from here
How can people get in contact, taste or purchase bottles?
People can come visit us for personal winemaker to drinker tastings at our tasting room over on 121 W Jewett Blvd in White Salmon WA.
Website: https://www.clyzmwine.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clyzmwines
OK now for the fun stuff.. What’s the best bottle you’ve enjoyed?
After two months of salmon fishing in Alaska with a “dry” crew (no alcohol allowed), a birthday bottle of ’16 Zin from home I stored away was the best damn bottle I’ve ever had.
Favorite unique wine pairing?
My mom is from the Philippines and having a little Lumpia with some Beaujolais is definitely my idea of a good time.
Besides where you are now, what is your favorite wine region and why?
This last summer we went to Greece and visited a friend who I worked a harvest with. The wines there are tremendous. All small production that showcase local terroir; big fan.
What’s one of the biggest challenges in the wine world?
Making money. There’s a saying that the best way to make a fortune in wine is to start with a larger one; I think that’s valid. You can make all the good wine in the world but unless you make an effort to market yourself and your wine, it’s not going to be sustainable.
What’s the most rewarding part of what you do?
Honestly getting to know people in the community through the tasting room has been amazing; I didn’t expect that to be the case but there it is.
When not drinking wine, what’s your go-to beverage?
Beer. Another industry adage is that it takes a lot of good beer to make wine. That’s definitely true. Sake is a close second.
