Luisa Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards Hosts Oregon Winemakers in a Throwback Tasting

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.