Ponzi Blog
Veraison at Ponzi Vineyards
We have veraison at Ponzi Vineyards!
Veraison (“verr-ray-zohn”) is technically defined as the change of color of grape berries. However, it also represents the transitional period from berry growth to berry ripening and the changes occuring during that time.
One of the most important moments in a grapevine’s annual lifecycle, veraison signals the onset of ripening, when the grapes turn from green to red and begin to sweeten. The process also occurs in white grapes in a less visually dramatic way, with grapes turning from green to golden and becoming more translucent.
During veraison, the vine alters its focus from creating energy through photosynthesis to consuming energy in order to make sweet grapes. The vine transports its energy stores from the roots into the grapes. The chlorophyll in the grapes is replaced by anthocyanins (in red grapes) or carotenoids (in white grapes), as well as sugars and other nutrients. As these sugars accumulate and aroma compounds develop, the grapes begin to increase in size. Acid levels also begin to fall during this time.
Once veraison begins, the ripening process continues for another 30-70 days until the grapes are fully ready. The time required for ripening varies by grape type. For example, Pinot gris typically ripens much earlier than Pinot noir.
Some grape varieties have bunches that ripen unevenly; some berries on the cluster will be completely ripe while others are still green. Extreme uneven ripening is called millerandage and can lead to wines that smell sweet but taste unbalanced and “green”. It happens commonly in Pinot noir, which is why it takes skill and experience to craft wine from this grape. Luckily for Ponzi Vineyards, Winemaker Luisa Ponzi knows exactly what she’s doing and consistently produces exemplary Pinot noir year after year.
You can view veraison for yourself: our tasting room is surrounded by our Avellana vineyard. Avellana has been planted Clonal Massale™, an innovative planting technique pioneered by Luisa Ponzi in which more than 20 clones have been planted randomly throughout the vineyard blocks like wildflowers. They ripen at different times, but are harvested all at once. The diversity of clones creates balance and depth in the finished wines and creates a consistency from year to year that adjusts for vintage variability and shifts the focus to the unique terroir of the site. Veraison is the perfect time to view the diversity of the clones at Avellana, and you can do so from the comfort of our tasting room’s terrace with a glass of Pinot in hand.
Read along as we follow the vineyard throughout the year in The Vineyard Series:
Aug 17, 2018 at 3:38 PM
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Classico Vineyards Series: Bieze
In the Willamette Valley, there’s a perfect spot for Pinot noir around every corner. Ponzi Vineyards is lucky to farm some of the best at our Avellana, Aurora and Madrona vineyards. These sites are the foundation of our signature wine, the Classico Pinot Noir. To complete the blend and truly highlight 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 our 2015 Classico blend, she selected our Bieze Vineyard for its aromatics.
The Bieze Family has owned their property outside of Salem, Oregon, for 35 years. Previously, it was planted with fir trees, a prune orchard, and a few walnut and holly trees. In 2008, the sloping hillsides were planted with a visually striking vineyard.
The soil foundation of the vineyard is formed by Ritner and Nekia soils. Volcanic formations laid down these soils, which vary somewhat in their composition. Nekia soil is a silty clay loam and is found on Bieze’s more steeply sloped areas. Ritner soil is a gravelly silty clay loam and is present on the more gently sloped areas. Both soil types are naturally well-drained, yet shallow, and the minerality of the site is well expressed in the fruit and wines produced there.
Located in the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Bieze benefits from cool breezes that flow across the site from the Van Duzer Corridor to the west. The sunny days with cool evening breezes create perfect conditions for developing fruit with full flavors and intriguing aromatics of chili pepper, chocolate and spice that make it an exceptional addition to the Ponzi Classico Pinot Noir 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.
Aug 10, 2018 at 10:43 PM
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Charity of the Month - August 2018: Adelante Mujeres
THROUGHOUT AUGUST 2018, A PORTION OF EVERY TASTING FEE AT PONZI VINEYARDS WILL BE DONATED TO ADELANTE MUJERES.
Adelante Mujeres has been selected as our Charity of the Month. This organization educates and empowers low-income Latina women and families in the state of Oregon. Annually, they serve more than 5,500 families, helping them become full participants and active leaders in the community.
Adelante Mujeres means “women rise up” in Spanish. Founded in 2002, it was created to serve the oft-overlooked population of Latina women by offering programs developed specifically to help them participate in activities and classes. Since then, it has grown to serve Latino youth, children and men as well as women. Adelante Mujeres promotes school readiness for young children, pathways to higher education for youth and lifelong learning for adults. It also provides training, technical assistance, networking opportunities, and strategies for raising capital to help Latino entrepreneurs launch successful and sustainable small businesses, and provides aspiring Latino immigrant farmers and gardeners with the training and skills necessary to grow produce using sustainable methods and to successfully market their products. In 2005, they launched the Forest Grove Farmers Market to provide an outlet for small farmers and food producers to connect with the community by offering fresh, local goods.
This organization was selected as our Charity of the Month by Miguel Ortiz, Vineyard Manager at Ponzi Vineyards. He says, "This program is special to me because it helps youths build strong cultural identity and fosters healthy lifestyles and academic success. Every high school senior involved in the program graduates high school and goes on to college."
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 Adelante Mujeres through the end of August.
- Learn more about Adelante Mujeres.
- Get directions to our Tasting Room, just 40 minutes from Portland.
- Read about our Tasting Room.
Aug 1, 2018 at 3:06 PM
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2018 International Pinot Noir Celebration Recap
Co-founded by Nancy Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards in 1985, the International Pinot Noir Celebration now draws nearly 1000 people from all over the world to McMinnville, Oregon, for a weekend of wine tasting, education and dining from the bounty of the Northwest. Attendees include Pinot noir producers and devotees, journalists, Northwest chefs and food lovers. This year's IPNC did not disappoint! Once again, Ponzi Vineyards participated in seminars, sharing the expertise we've cultivated over nearly 50 years as one of Oregon's founding wineries. Our wines were shown at multiple pourings to demonstrate the high-quality the Willamette Valley consistently produces. Winemaker Luisa Ponzi presented alongside Burgundy's finest vintners.
The event was such a success, and it was our great honor to participate. Until next year!
Jul 31, 2018 at 2:01 PM
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Women of Pinot: An International Dinner
On Thursday, July 26, 2018, Ponzi Vineyards hosted an international winemaker's dinner, featuring six women winemakers from Alsace, New Zealand, California and Oregon. A beautiful multi-course meal was served, highlighting the sixteen wines presented. Our featured winemakers were
- Luisa Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards, Oregon
- Marie Zusslin of Domaine Valentin Zusslin, Alsace
- Simone Sequeira of La Follette Wines, California
- Katherine Jacobs of Big Sky Wines, New Zealand
- Isabelle Meunier of Lavinea Wines, Oregon
It was such an honor and a pleasure to host these remarkable winemakers and all of our esteemed guests.
View our other exciting upcoming winery events on our calendar.
Jul 27, 2018 at 9:23 PM
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The Vineyard Series: Leaf Pulling
In the full heat of summer, the vines are growing steadily and berries are beginning to form on the vines. It’s time to set the stage for harvest. Canopy management is now more important than ever to maintain the ideal microclimate on the vine, and so begins the process of leaf pulling.
Pulling leaves from the growing canopy thins it out, which allows sunshine to reach the grapes and ripen them. A thinner canopy also improves airflow around the tightly packed clusters of developing fruit, which helps prevent mold growth in the cool, damp climate of Oregon’s Willamette Valley and keep pest pressure low. However, care must be taken not to remove too much--when temperatures rise, the grape are at risk for sunburn without some shade coverage provided by leaves. Too much sun can also lead to overripe flavors.
Like most vineyard tasks, leaf pulling is labor-intensive. Every leaf is pulled by hand and selecting which and how many leaves to pull takes skill and experience. The vineyard crew pulls leaves away from the area just above the vine’s cordon, or arms, where the clusters are growing. Many of our crew members have been with us twenty years or more, so they move quickly and efficiently through the rows under the supervision of Vineyard Manager Miguel Ortiz, thinning the canopy perfectly and ensuring beautiful fruit in the fall.
Also called basal leaf removal or cluster-zone leaf removal, leaf pulling is such a crucial part of vineyard management that Oregon State University has been conducting experiments to determine the effects of leaf pulling on grape development. They have found that leaf removal noticeably enhanced color and aroma in fruit more than no leaf removal.
With just the right amount of sun and air, the grapes at Ponzi Vineyards are progressing beautifully.
Read along as we follow the vineyard throughout the year in The Vineyard Series:
Jul 25, 2018 at 10:52 PM
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Classico Vineyards Series: Paloma
In the Willamette Valley, it seems there’s a perfect spot for Pinot noir around every corner. Ponzi Vineyards is lucky to farm some of the best at our Avellana, Aurora and Madrona vineyards. These sites are the foundation of our signature wine, the Classico Pinot Noir. To complete the blend and truly highlight 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 our 2015 Classico blend, she selected our Paloma Vineyard for its aromatics.
Planted in 2012, Paloma is a 15-acre vineyard planted at high elevation in the Chehalem Mountains. Home to Winemaker Luisa Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards and her husband, Winemaker Eric Hamacher of Hamacher Wines, Paloma was named for the numerous doves that live on the property.
“Luisa and I were always on the lookout for the ideal vineyard site,” says Hamacher, “and as we would pass this property I had developed a bit of a mantra: it’s such a shame that is an orchard--it would be a perfect vineyard! In 2008, we learned of the passing of the hazelnut farmer and we called the daughter. As they say, the rest is history. As it turns out, it is the perfect vineyard and home site! Along with 15 acres in vines, we have an additional 25 devoted to pasture for our Scottish Highlander cattle and our chickens, pigs, bees and our four kids who all enjoy this beautiful place as much as we do.”
Situated on a beautiful east-facing slope, Paloma is defined by its high elevation and slower growth. The later ripening causes thicker skins that give both more and riper, mature tannins. This leads to dark, concentrated wines with fuller structure and brilliant acidity. Paloma is planted Clonal MassaleTM, a technique developed by Luisa Ponzi in which a mix of more than two dozen clones are planted at random. The wines tend toward great complexity with each clone playing its part, much like a symphony as opposed to a solo.
“One of my favorite things about the property is that Mt. Hood is front and center to the east,” says Ponzi. “Watching the sunrise as it moves across the horizon seasonally, from one side of Mt. Hood to the other, winter solstice to summer solstice, tells you where you are. It feels very comforting.”
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.
Jul 23, 2018 at 10:01 PM
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Women of Pinot Series: Marie Zusslin of Domaine Valentin Zusslin
On July 26th, Ponzi Vineyards will host a very special Women of Pinot dinner celebrating women winemakers. Six women winemakers from Oregon, Alsace, New Zealand and California will come together for an incredible night of food and wine. It’s a rare event to have so much talent in one room! In addition to an expertly paired multi-course meal, guests will have the opportunity to taste more than a dozen wines and hear how they are made from the people who crafted them. Join us at one of Oregon’s founding wineries, set in the stunning Chehalem Mountains of the Willamette Valley.
Only 3 seats remain! Get your tickets now on our website or by contacting events@ponzivineyards.com.
One of the featured winemakers at the dinner is Marie Zusslin of Domaine Valentin Zusslin in the northeastern community of Orschwihr, France. Established in 1691, Domaine Valentin Zusslin has been successively operated, uninterrupted, for 13 generations. More than 300 years from its founding, it is now operated by siblings Marie and Jean Paul Zusslin, who have managed the company since 2000.
In 1997, the domaine converted to biodynamic viticulture. Much of the work is done by hand both in the vineyard and in the cellar to allow the grapes to fully express the unique terroirs of the region. During harvest, fruit is placed in traditional wooden tubs or small crates to avoid bruising. Immediately after, the clusters are slowly and gently pressed for several hours, producing a must (the expressed juice of the grapes) of very high quality. The juice is transferred to tanks using gravity and fermentation occurs naturally using indigenous yeasts. The wines then age in traditional large oak casks from the Alsace Vosges mountains, which are oval in shape to ensure smooth maturation of each cuvee.
This gentle handling of the grapes and the wine is very similar to the methods used at Ponzi Vineyards and yields elegant, expressive and nuanced wine.
Zusslin only releases wine when they are ready for immediate consumption or for additional cellaring. Some wines produced by Domaine Valentin Zusslin are 100% natural, with no added sulfites.
Her winemaking philosophy is to respect nature, the environment, the seasons and the natural process of winemaking. This approach creates beautiful wines full of vitality.
To meet Zusslin and sample her wine, please join us for our Women of Pinot dinner on July 26th. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet winemakers from around the world in a fun, intimate setting.
Only 3 tickets remain.
Meet all the featured winemakers in our Women of Pinot series:
- Anna Maria and Luisa Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards
- Marie Zusslin of Domaine Valentin Zusslin
- Katherine Jacobs of Big Sky Wines
- Isabelle Meunier of Lavinea Wines
- Simone Sequeira of La Follette Wines
Jul 19, 2018 at 10:10 PM
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Classico Vineyards Series: Avellana
Pinot noir loves the Willamette Valley with a perfect spot for this varietal seemingly around every corner. Ponzi Vineyards is lucky to farm some of the best at our Avellana, Aurora and Madrona vineyards. These sites are the foundation of our signature wine, the Classico Pinot Noir. To complete the blend and truly highlight 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 our 2015 Classico blend, she selected our own Avellana Vineyard for its aromatics.
Planted in 2006, Avellana is one of our younger vineyards in the Classico blend. After 40 years of viticultural experimentation, this vineyard was selected for its northwest-facing slope and rich Laurelwood soil. The Pinot noir blocks have been planted Clonal Massale™, a technique developed by Luisa Ponzi in which a mix of two dozen clones are planted at random. This vineyard also shares the site with our winery and tasting room.
The unique Clonal Massale™ planting method yields more interesting and consistent wines despite vintage variability, enabling Avellana to achieve a richness of flavor and aroma usually associated with older vineyards.
“Each clone has a personality,” says Ponzi. “When many are combined in a single block, the multitude of characteristics naturally brings complexity and dimension to the wines. By planting these clones at random, like wildflowers, it further relinquishes the question of clone and focuses fully on the terroir of a site.”
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.
Jul 17, 2018 at 9:51 AM
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Summertime ¡Salud! E-Auction
We’re proud to be part of ¡Salud!. Co-founded by Nancy Ponzi, ¡Salud! is an event and a service program that provides healthcare outreach services to vineyard workers and their families where they live and work. Our vineyard crews are an important part of the winemaking process. They often faces barriers that make finding basic healthcare a challenge, and many don’t visit the doctor for minor issues until they become major. ¡Salud! Services, a project of OHSU Tuality Healthcare, provides a bridge for many workers and their families to provide reliable, safe and accessible care. We believe these services are vital to the story of Oregon wine, and now there’s a chance for you to support the community and access our wines made solely for this purpose.
The Summertime ¡Salud! E-Auction is your chance to get in early on one case of our rare and premium ¡Salud! Cuvée, a blend of our very best Pinot Noir barrels. Only five cases are produced each year, sold only at ¡Salud! events in the past. For three days only, bid from anywhere via phone or computer on one special case. Help make healthcare accessible to all. Purchases may be tax deductible.
Learn more and register to bid today.
Jul 13, 2018 at 10:51 AM
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