Ponzi Blog
Bollinger Family To Acquire Ponzi Vineyards
AŸ, FRANCE, April 7, 2021 – The Bollinger family, owners of iconic Champagne Bollinger in addition to four other historic estates in France, announce the upcoming acquisition of their first winery in the United States, with the purchase of Oregon’s famed Ponzi Vineyards. The transaction will unite the Bollinger family with the Ponzi family, building on the legacy the Ponzis have established as one of Oregon’s original wineries, leading the success and growth of the region’s Pinot Noir over the last 50 years.
Bollinger family holding group Chairman & CEO Etienne Bizot comments, “The United States is such an important market for luxury Champagne, Burgundy, Sancerre, Cognac, and other regions in which our family owns wineries. If there was anywhere outside of France where we felt it was critical to invest, it is in the U.S. We have quietly considered opportunities for a number of years, but it is finally with the Ponzi family that we feel we have found the ideal fit. Their bold vision to come to Oregon, the subsequent decades of recognition for continually innovating and improving – we have so much respect for what the Ponzis have achieved, and look forward to building on it together, and connecting all our brands more closely with the U.S. market.”
“We have dedicated our lives to demonstrating Oregon’s Willamette Valley as one of the greatest places on the planet for producing cool climate, high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay,” remarks Luisa Ponzi, the winery’s recognized leading winemaker who trained in Burgundy. “This transaction makes sense for our respective families because of our well aligned values and shared commitment to producing wines of the very highest quality.”
“It gives us immense satisfaction to have the opportunity to pass our legacy winery on to the Bollinger family, who will continue to elevate the brand on a global scale,” Winery President Anna Maria Ponzi shares. “This is the natural next step for our brand and winery.”
The purchase includes the winery and hospitality facilities 40 minutes from Portland, Oregon in addition to 35 acres of vineyard land in the newly established Laurelwood District AVA. The winery has been an introduction to the region for countless numbers of people through not only visits but major events that the Ponzi family has been instrumental in creating and supporting, such as the International Pinot Noir Celebration, Oregon Pinot Camp and the Salud Pinot Noir Barrel Auction.
Under the leadership of a new CEO, whose recruitment is ongoing, Anna Maria will continue to lead the sales & marketing over the transition period and Luisa will remain as the Director of Viticulture and Winemaking. The Ponzi family will retain 100 acres of vineyard land and will grow and sell the grapes to Ponzi Vineyards under a long-term contract.
VINTUS, current Ponzi Vineyards national sales and marketing agent, and importer of Champagne Bollinger, Champagne Ayala, Domaine Chanson and Langlois-Chateau, will continue to represent Ponzi’s trade distribution in the United States.
The timing of the full transition is subject to customary regulatory processes and approvals.
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About the Bollinger Family:
SJB, the holding company of the Bollinger family, is comprised of domains in 4 French wine appellations: Bollinger & Ayala in Champagne, Chanson Père & Fils in Burgundy, Delamain in Cognac and Langlois-Chateau in the Loire Valley. Founded in 1829, it is owned and controlled by the same family since 1829 and will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2029. These domains are all linked to their terroir by owning and farming vineyards. SJB’s mission is to offer consumers around the world great experiences around premium wines from the best wine regions.
About Ponzi Vineyards:
In the late 60’s, Dick and Nancy Ponzi uprooted their young family to pursue a dream of producing world class Pinot Noir and were instrumental in bringing world attention to Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Over the past thirty years, the Ponzi daughters have expanded the family vineyards and winery facilities, incorporating innovation into its winemaking, viticulture and hospitality. The entrepreneurial family is also recognized for establishing the state’s first craft brewery in 1984 and one of the valley’s first regional restaurants in 1999, now owned and operated by son and brother, Michel and his family.
Apr 7, 2021 at 8:00 AM
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Classico Vineyards Series: Gemini
The Willamette Valley is suited perfectly in every way for Pinot noir, with an abundance of beautiful growing sites. Ponzi Vineyards is lucky to farm some of the best at our Avellana, Aurora and Paloma vineyards. These sites are the foundation of our signature wine, the Classico Pinot Noir. To complete the blend and highlight all this region can produce, we work with area growers to source the finest fruit from nine additional exceptional vineyards. For our 2015 Classico blend, Winemaker Luisa Ponzi selected Gemini Vineyard to be among them.
Originally planted in 1995, this 15-acre vineyard sits on a south-facing slope in the Chehalem Mountains AVA in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. At almost 500 feet of elevation, the soil is primarily Laurelwood--a deep, wind-blown loess topsoil over decomposed basalt--creates optimal conditions for sustainable farming at this LIVE-certified, Salmon Safe site.
Located west of Sherwood, Oregon, this meticulously farmed vineyard is notoriously the darkest fruit of each vintage; the clusters approaching black in color. The site gives fruit with the the happy balance of very high acidity at high Brix translating to structure and richness.
- Explore Luisa Ponzi’s 2015 Classico Pinot Noir and the eleven exceptional Vineyards she selected as Willamette Valley’s truest expression of that memorable year.
- Get a bottle of Classico Pinot Noir for yourself. The dusty tannins, hints of roasted coffee and mouthwatering acidity are balanced by almond sweetness. Pairs beautifully with food.
About the Classico Series
Our Classico Pinot Noir is blended from 100% Pinot noir sourced from the exceptional sites throughout the Willamette Valley with Ponzi’s most established vineyards at its base. The result is a classic New World expression of Oregon Pinot noir with nuances and flavors that are a hallmarks of the region’s varied soils and cool climate. Follow along as we explore some of the vineyards chosen by Winemaker Luisa Ponzi as the truest expressions of the vintage.
Feb 1, 2019 at 1:42 PM
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A Moment in the Spotlight: 2016 Ponzi Riesling
Riesling is perhaps one of the most well-known, and yet under appreciated wines. A beautifully crafted Riesling can be elegant and versatile.
Producing Oregon Riesling since 1974, Ponzi Vineyards presents a dry expression of the varietal that is delicate and balanced. It pairs effortlessly with a variety of dishes, from Asian cuisine to root vegetables to our favorite, Dungeness crab.
Served from an impressive magnum, Riesling finally gets the love and appreciation it deserves.
2016 Ponzi Riesling
“This beautiful nose of candied lime, lemon balm, honeysuckle and a whisper of lychee lead to a textured mouth of nectarine, white pepper and fresh acidity.” –Winemaker Luisa Ponzi
Offered at $55/magnum | $22/bottle
(15% off bottles, 20% off cases for members)
SHOP NOW
Jan 29, 2019 at 10:53 AM
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Stewardship: 3 Certified-Sustainable Oregon Wineries
The history of Oregon’s wine country is rooted in a deep respect for the land. The founding wineries of the Willamette Valley built their businesses on principles of sustainability. They took their roles as stewards of the land seriously, and from day one they implemented practices that nurtured both the environment and the people who worked in the vineyards and wineries. You can explore this history further on the Willamette Valley Wineries Association’s website. If you would like to do a tasting tour supporting sustainable wineries, you have a lot of options. We suggest starting with these three.
Stop 1: Ponzi Vineyards
19500 SW Mountain Home Road, Sherwood
(503) 628-1227
www.ponzivineyards.com
Founded by Dick and Nancy Ponzi in 1970, Ponzi Vineyards is now owned and operated by their daughters, Luisa and Anna Maria Ponzi. Their vineyards are LIVE Certified, and they hold long-term contracts with some of the best growers in the region whose vineyards are also certified sustainable. They are Salmon Safe, members of the Carbon Reduction Challenge, utilize cover crops for weed suppression and fertilizers, and operate a four-level gravity-flow winery that was one of the first Oregon facilities awarded the LIVE Winery Certification, meeting LIVE specifications for an eco-friendly building and sustainable winemaking practices. Just 40 minutes from Portland, it’s a must-see.
Stop 2: Rex Hill
30835 OR-99W, Newberg
(503) 538-0666
www.rexhill.com
For your next stop, it’s a quick trip to Newberg to visit Rex Hill. Established in 1982, they were purchased by A to Z Wineworks in 2007. Rex Hill has practiced sustainability from its outset. Their vineyards and winery are LIVE certified and they work with their independent growers to help them farm organically. Their Jacob-Hart Vineyard is Demeter-certified Biodynamic, a philosophy of stringent organic farming practices that considers the physical, energetic and spiritual aspects of farming.
Stop 2: Penner-Ash Cellars
15771 NE Ribbon Ridge Road, Newberg
(503) 554-5545
www.pennerash.com
Your last stop was founded by the legendary Lynn Penner-Ash and her husband, Ron. Penner-Ash was the first female winemaker hired in Oregon at none other than your previous stop, Rex Hill. In 1998, she began crafting her own wines, finally moving into her own sustainable, energy-conserving, gravity-flow winery in 2005. The design of the building takes into consideration ergonomics, putting worker health and safety foremost by eliminating the need for heavy lifting thanks to a system of catwalks and forklifts. Their Estate Vineyard is LIVE Certified and Salmon Safe, as are many of the vineyards they work with via independent growers.
Jan 16, 2019 at 1:11 PM
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2018 Giving: Thank you to our patrons
Since its founding in 1970, Ponzi Vineyards has proudly championed local organizations that offer vital support to our community. With the opening of the new tasting room in Sherwood in 2013, the Ponzi family launched the Charity of the Month program. The program benefits a different local charity each month with the donation of a portion of all tasting fees.
In 2018, the following organizations received support thanks to patrons like you.
Family of Friends
David Sheldrick Foundation
Henderson House
Hope for Autism
Project Lemonade
Adelante Mujeres
POST
Breast Friends
Oregon Parenting
Community Action
¡Salud! (Auction host and member of the Vintners Circle)
We are grateful to you and wish you a peaceful New Year.
Dec 26, 2018 at 11:56 AM
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Last Minute Gifting
Let them Shop!
Surprise the wine lover in your life with a Ponzi gift card. Use the little blue card online or in the tasting room toward wine, tastings or tours. Purchase a $50 or $100 gift card and we will gift wrap it in a beautiful champagne gift box.
Available in denominations of $100, $50 & $25.
How to Set a Formal Table
Formalities and etiquette can often go by the wayside, but taking a little extra time to slow down and make things extra special can be fun, especially during this festive time of year. Why not start with your holiday table setting?
Watch our 2 minute How-To video:
Dec 22, 2018 at 2:49 PM
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Make Your Holiday Meal Memorable
Toast to the Season!
An unforgettable holiday meal begins and ends with something special in the glass. From the first libation to the last savored sip, this is the time of year to pull out all the stops.
When guests arrive, fill their glass with something festive and impressive, like the 2014 Ponzi Sparkling Brut Rosé. At the meal’s end, pour a splash of something fun and a bit decadent, like the 2016 Ponzi Vino Gelato. Memorable wines will let even the most basic dishes sing and make any gathering feel like a celebration. Now that’s something to toast to!
Shop our selection of specialty wines.
Tips for Flawless Wine Service
You’ve selected the perfect wine for your holiday meal. What you pour your wine into may come as an afterthought, but selecting the right stemware will enhance the wine and the occasion.
Read our wine service tips and recommendations.
Dec 12, 2018 at 1:57 PM
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Charity of the Month: December - Community Action
Throughout the month of December, a portion of tasting fees from the Ponzi Vineyards tasting room will be donated to Community Action, an organization that works to eliminate conditions of poverty and create opportunities for people and communities to thrive.
Community Action’s vision is a Washington County whose residents are strong, resilient, involved in the community and living with dignity and security. They work and innovate with community partners to offer hope, help and change for residents in need. They do this through programs in the areas of Energy Assistance, Family Development, Early Childhood Development and Housing Stability. They have a genuine concern and knowledge regarding issues of poverty. Recognized and respected, they work collaboratively with funders and other service providers and act as a community leader and catalyst in community efforts to address homelessness and affordable housing.
We invite you to visit Ponzi Vineyards this month and join us in support of this valuable organization. A portion of every tasting fee will be donated to Community Action through the end of December.
- Learn more about Community Action.
- Get directions to our Tasting Room, just 40 minutes from Portland.
- Read about our Tasting Room.
Dec 4, 2018 at 2:25 PM
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A Glimpse into the Barrel Room
Look at these lovelies in the cellar!
The 2018 Ponzi Pinots and Chardonnays will spend anywhere from 11 months to nearly 2 years in barrel before they are bottled. During that time, they are closely monitored by Winemaker Luisa Ponzi and her team. When the time is right, they'll be bottled and aged a few more months before they are ready to enjoy. We can hardly wait!
Nov 24, 2018 at 1:18 PM
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Classico Vineyards Series: Sufi
The Willamette Valley has become synonymous with world-class Pinot noir, with a perfect spot for the varietal seemingly around every corner. Ponzi Vineyards farms some of the best at our Avellana, Aurora and Madrona sites, which form the foundation of our signature Classico Pinot Noir. To enhance the blend and showcase what this region can produce, we work with area growers to source the finest fruit from exceptional vineyards. When sourcing from these growers and from our own vineyards, second-generation Winemaker Luisa Ponzi looks for fruit that contributes the desired aromatics, structure or fruit intensity to complement her vision for the vintage. For the 2015 Classico blend, she selected Sufi Vineyard for its aromatics.
Named after the ancient culture of Persian monks, who relinquished their material possessions in the pursuit of divinity, Sufi was planted in 2009, making it one of the younger vineyards in the Classico blend. Located on Bald Peak in the Willamette Valley’s Chehalem Mountains, this is a high-elevation site resting between 600-800 feet. On a clear day, it has gorgeous panoramic views of Portland, Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens. It is LIVE certified and Salmon Safe.
The soil type at Sufi is Laurelwood, a fertile loess formed by windblown silt during the last Ice Age. Laurelwood soil famously lends spicy and bright fruit flavors when vines are young, and earthy, blue fruit flavors when the vines get older and the roots tap into the basalt layer underneath. They grow the Pommard clone of Pinot noir; combined with the elevation, cooler days and nights, and the Laurelwood soil, the result is a fruit that is spicy and dark, with loads of pepper on the nose, which it lends to our Classico blend.
Get a bottle of Classico Pinot Noir for yourself. The dusty tannins, hints of roasted coffee and mouthwatering acidity are balanced by almond sweetness. Pairs beautifully with food.
About the Classico Series
Our Classico Pinot Noir is blended from 100% Pinot noir sourced from the exceptional sites throughout the Willamette Valley with Ponzi’s most established vineyards at its base. The result is a classic New World expression of Oregon Pinot noir with nuances and flavors that are a hallmarks of the region’s varied soils and cool climate. Follow along as we explore some of the vineyards chosen by Winemaker Luisa Ponzi as the truest expressions of the vintage.
Nov 15, 2018 at 12:22 PM
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