Wine Spectator’s Tim Fish writes a “casual, non-blind tasting of Oregon Wines all 20 years or older.” About 24 wines were tasted. Ponzi brought a duo of Chardonnays from 1995, 1997 and 2003
Pinot Noir was the main event, and the oldest was a Ponzi Willamette Valley 1980, pulled from the cellar by Ponzi and produced by her father, Dick. “Just mostly for historical fun,” she said. The group relished the chance to taste a Pinot from Oregon’s early years.
Ponzi, whose family is one of Oregon’s wine pioneers, hosted the tasting at her winery. Gathered around a big table were many other long-standing Willamette Valley winemakers, including Argyle founder Soles, who focuses now on Roco; Elk Cove’s Adam Campbell; Bethel Heights’ Ben Casteel; David Millman, managing director of Domaine Drouhin Oregon; and Mike Etzel of Beaux Frères and Sequitur. Eric Hamacher, Lynn Penner-Ash and Tony Soter were also in attendance.
Related Producers
Ponzi Vineyards
Chehalem Mountain AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Dick and Nancy Ponzi helped put Oregon on the wine map, and the Ponzi family has worked continuously for over 50 years leading and innovating in the region and, in the case of Pinot Noir, across the country and indeed the world. Today winemaker Luisa Ponzi continues her work with the family of Champagne Bollinger, which acquired the estate in 2021.