At Abbey Creek Vineyard, winemaker Bertony Faustin has been making small-batch wine his own way, serving it up with heart at the North Plains tasting room he affectionately calls “The Crick.” Although he produces classic Northwest varietals like pinot noir and chardonnay, The Crick has been shaking up Oregon’s winemaking scene with its laid-back atmosphere and community focus.
This summer, Faustin opened The Crick PDX, bringing his trademark “hip-hop, wine and chill” vibe to downtown Portland. “Our new spot is an extension of The Crick Life—we didn’t come to downtown to fit in; we came to stand out.”
Built by Holly Mueller, one of Portland’s only female contractors, the new space contains hip-hop graffiti, a DJ booth and pops of color that nod to Faustin’s Haitian heritage. “The main element we transplanted here is the feeling of guests being welcomed just as they are,” says Faustin.
More than a tasting room, The Crick PDX will also host entrepreneurial workshops. “I may be Oregon’s first Black winemaker, but it’s important to me that I’m not the last,” Faustin notes. “It’s my job to help folks navigate the experience of being pioneers in their field, wine-related or not. I want to help people develop into the best versions of themselves.”
