Wine Industry Report

Recently purchased land on Chehalem Mountain will house new vineyard and winery.

Oregon winemaking pioneers Dick and Nancy Ponzi and their family have announced the purchase of a 42-acre parcel on Chehalem Mountain. The Ponzis will plant a vineyard there this spring and have a long- term goal of building their first new winemaking facility since the winery’s founding in 1970.

Located approximately one mile east of Ponzi’s Aurora Vineyard (just off Highway 219 between Beaverton and Newberg), the yet-to-be-named property sits on the mountainside with panoramic views that offer sight lines to all four Ponzi properties – Aurora Vineyard, Abetina Vineyard, Madrona Vineyard and the Estate Vineyard.

“What attracted us to this property was the soil, the elevation and the proximity to our existing vineyards,” Luisa Ponzi, winemaker, said. “We have a firm belief in Washington County and the soils in this area, on which we have built our reputation. Purchasing this land signifies our recommitment to the area as one of the world’s best sources for wine grapes.”

The property slopes south and west, in a northeast direction, between 340-460 feet elevation. The soil type is laurelwood, which is found on all four Ponzi vineyards, all of which are situated in the Willamette Valley’s northeast corner in Washington County, about 30 minutes from Yamhill County’s winegrowing areas, Dundee Hills and Red Hills.

The parcel, which was purchased in December 2005 for an undisclosed amount, is currently home to hazelnut orchards, as well as a 100-year-old walnut grove. The Ponzis plan to preserve the history of the property by maintaining a portion of the walnut grove.

Fifteen acres will be planted in spring 2006. There will be 10 acres planted to Pinot Noir (with clones planted in traditional French sélection massale): 50 percent Pommard, 30 percent Abetina and 20 percent Dijon. Both early-ripening and late-ripening clones will be planted. The remaining five acres will be planted to Chardonnay (clones Dijon 76 and 96) and Pinot Gris. The vines will be grafted to rootstock and an irrigation system will be installed.

The Ponzis believe this site also offers them the perfect opportunity to use the family’s collective insights to build a new gravity-flow winery.

“We have this great collection of creative minds – a winery consultant, a past winemaker, a current winemaker and a building designer,” Maria Ponzi Fogelstrom, Director of Marketing, said. “When you bring all this talent and knowledge together, it’s an extraordinary opportunity to create something truly special as a family for our next generation – much like what our folks have built for us.”

Luisa and her husband, fellow winemaker Eric Hamacher of Hamacher Wines, are co-founders of the custom-crush facility Carlton Winemakers Studio; Hamacher has consulted on the construction of two nationally-recognized wineries; Maria Ponzi’s husband, Brett Fogelstrom, owns Portland-based Fogelstrom Design Build Company, where he has crafted reputable commercial and residential buildings. Founding winemaker Dick Ponzi’s background as a structural design engineer has contributed to numerous innovations in enology and viticulture over the years.

“I have been craving to build a winery from scratch and do it right, using all the technology developed over the past three decades,” Dick Ponzi said.

The long-term vision is to create a 30,000-case- capacity winery, but plans are for a gradual growth – with a critical eye on quality – over the next 20 years, according to Maria Ponzi Fogelstrom. Over the next five years, the Ponzis hope to achieve a 20,000- case production level, as portions of a new facility are built and become available. They plan to continue maximizing the facility they have in the meantime, which has a production of 15,000 cases.

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Learn more…
About Ponzi Vineyards

Dick and Nancy Ponzi founded their family winery and vineyards in 1970. For nearly four decades, Ponzi Vineyards has practiced a philosophy of innovation, experimentation, respectful stewardship of the land and consistent excellence in its wines. Today, the winery and vineyards are operated under these same guiding principles by the second generation: Winemaker Luisa Ponzi, Sales/Marketing Director Maria Ponzi Fogelstrom and Operations Manager Michel Ponzi. www.ponziwines.com

About Wilson Daniels Ltd.

Founded in 1978, Wilson Daniels Ltd. is a family- owned, fully integrated sales and marketing company representing a highly selective portfolio of the world’s most prestigious wine properties. The company provides professional services to preeminent wineries in California and Oregon, France, Italy, Hungary, New Zealand and Australia. Based in Napa Valley, Wilson Daniels Ltd. espouses a trusted, personal approach to the wine industry, maintaining the high standards set by founders Win Wilson and Jack Daniels. www.wilsondaniels.com