Ponzi Vineyards
Laurelwood Pinot Noir 2022
Laurelwood District, Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley
As one of the major wine publications once wrote, “All Oregon Pinot Noirs are measured against the Ponzi yardstick”. That has been true for over 50 years, while the Ponzi family has farmed 140 acres of certified sustainable vineyards all planted on Laurelwood soils. Taking on the mantle of pioneer spirit and innovation from their parents, sisters Maria and Luisa launched a decade-long pursuit, alongside neighboring growers, which has resulted in the recognition of Oregon’s first soil-based AVA, the Laurelwood District. Situated along the Northern ridge of the Willamette Valley, a long contiguous stretch of ancient fractured basalts are layered over with a fine, windblown sediment called loess. During their tenure on this unique land, the Ponzis have observed the unique characteristics as their vines penetrated the earth and evolved. Bright red fruit character in their youth gives way to dark berry and brambly spice as the vines reach into the volcanic layers. The character of this soil has defined the Ponzis’ wines and served as a guide for generations of winemakers in the Willamette Valley.
VINEYARD
This Pinot Noir is a selection of fruit from the Laurelwood District AVA, predominately made up of our estate vineyards Avellana, Aurora, and Linda Vista. Along with selections from our trusted growers at Gemini and Chehalem Crossing Vineyard, all LIVE Certified Sustainable and grown in Laurelwood soil.
WINEMAKING
Harvest: Sep-Oct 2022
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: In small lots, with daily punch-downs
Aging: 10 months, 30% new French oak, 12 months in bottle
VINTAGE
2022 saw an early spring but a later summer, which came on strong and October arrived dry – one of the warmest in Oregon history – allowing fruit to perfectly ripen.
TASTING NOTE
“The initial nose is warm raspberry jam, chili pepper and chipotle balanced
by flinty notes of gunsmoke and red clay that open to rose petals, magnolia,
cloves, and salt air. The mouth holds long , dark tannins of cola, white pepper, and spices of star anise, cardamom, and juniper, finishing with an explosion of blue fruit. Our Laurelwood soil meets Burgundy in this glass.” – Winemaker Luisa Ponzi
FOOD PAIRING
“With bright red fruit, silky texture, and fine tannins, Ponzi’s Laurelwood Pinot Noir is a perfect pairing with seared duck breast and cranberry coulis, creamy risotto with porcini mushrooms, or a beet and lentil salad with tarragon vinaigrette.” – Winemaker Luisa Ponzi
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Laurelwood District, Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley
Alcohol
13.8%
Suggested Retail Price
$49
Reviews
James Suckling - April 15, 2024 "Bright and vibrant nose with strawberries, blood oranges, crushed spices, pine resin and dried herbs. Hints of bergamot. Very fine and tense phenolic structure, almost giving some chalky chewiness to it, but it’s very textural and refined. Medium-bodied with a mineral backbone."
More on Ponzi Vineyards Laurelwood Pinot Noir 2022
Oregon Gains Two Wine Appellations
June 25, 2020 - Wine Spectator reports that Oregon has gained two new wine appellations: Laurelwood District and Tualatin Hills. Both AVAs are located in the northwest corner of the Willamette Valley, with Laurelwood…
Tualatin Hills And The Laurelwood District Are Oregon’s Newest American Viticultural Areas
June 12, 2020 - Forbes Magazine reports on Oregon's newest AVAs, Tualtin Hills and The Laurelwood District, which both contain the highest concentrations of Laurelwood soils in Oregon. This soil, which is essentially windblown…
The Best Pinot Noirs Willamette Valley Has to Offer
July 17, 2020 - Forbes Magazine highlights Ponzi Vineyards as one of the top Pinot Noir producers of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Contributor Michelle Williams spent the past year researching the valley's top producers to…
Ponzi Vineyards Celebrates 50 Years of Innovative Winemaking in Oregon
June 16, 2020 - Anna Maria Ponzi, second generation vintner for Ponzi Vineyards, chatted with blogger Wine with Wanda about Ponzi's 50th anniversary in her latest Instagram Live Session. The two cover a lot:…
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Laurelwood Chardonnay
Laurelwood District, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Situated along the Northern ridge of the Chehalem Mountains, the Laurelwood District boasts ancient soils of fractured basalt layered over with a fine, windblown sediment called loess. A decade-long effort by the Ponzis, alongside their neighbors, has resulted in the recognition of Oregon’s first soil-based AVA, the Laurelwood District.
Pinot Noir Reserve
Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley
Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve is the epitome of restrained power. It hails from estate grown fruit on Laurelwood soils in the Chehalem Mountains, including from some of Oregon’s oldest vines. This remarkably complex wine is handcrafted with tremendous attention to detail.
Tavola Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Tavola is Ponzi's delicious early release Pinot Noir, a fruit-forward wine with soft tannins, made primarily from younger, lower elevations vines. Meant for early consumption, it is an unbeatable value for quality Pinot Noir.
Pinot Gris
Willamette Valley
One of the original and most recognized Oregon and U.S. Pinot Gris producers, Ponzi was a major influence in establishing Pinot Gris as the first quality white grape variety in Oregon. Ponzi's Pinot Gris is an irresistably aromatic and expressive wine, and serves as a first encounter for many wine drinkers with Oregon wines and the Ponzi estate.