Forbes contributor Jill Barth recently spoke with second-generation sisters and owners of Ponzi Vineyards, President Anna Maria Ponzi and Winemaker Luisa Ponzi, as they celebrate their family winery’s 50th anniversary. The extremely detailed story offers historical background on the early days when their parents, Dick and Nancy, founded the winery, helped put the region on the map and set set the benchmark for quality wines in Oregon. Today, Anna Maria and Luisa continue to evolve and innovate to ensure their wines remain best in class. Barth elaborates on Luisa’s background and training in Burgundy, as well as her commitment to fostering female leadership in the wine industry. There is a terrific Q&A with the sisters focused on their family’s legacy, female entrepreneurship and giving back to the community that you can read in the story HERE
Related Wines
Ponzi Vineyards
Ponzi Vineyards Chardonnay Reserve 2016
Willamette Valley
The Ponzi family has dedicated over 25 years to innovation in farming and winemaking to develop Oregon Chardonnay's place in the world. Luisa Ponzi's formative experiences working in Burgundy in the early 1990s guide her vision of producing complex and ageworthy Chardonnay.
Ponzi Vineyards
Ponzi Vineyards Classico Pinot Noir 2016
Willamette Valley
The "classic" representation of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, this wine encapsulates the experience, innovation, top vineyard sources, and expertise of the pioneering Ponzi family. Among the first to make Pinot Noir in Oregon and the United States and, since the start, among the very best.
Ponzi Vineyards
Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve 2016
Willamette Valley
The Pinot Noir Reserve comes primarily from estate grown fruit on Laurelwood soil in the Chehalem Mountains, including from some of Oregon’s oldest vines. It is hand crafted on a boutique scale, with tremendous attention to detail. An intense wine, it has an explosive nose of sassafras, coffee, sweet plum and spice box; a full and seamless palate with baker's chocolate, blueberry, lavender and tea; and a long and balanced finish. I
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.
