Page 42 - GV2020 Portfolio Master
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Ponzi CHEHALEM DISTRICT
Dick and Nancy Ponzi founded The Chehalem Mountains AVA is a single uplifted landmass southwest of Portland in the northern
their family winery and vineyards Willamette Valley, extending 20 miles in length and 5 miles in breadth, stretching from southeast to
in 1970. For nearly four decades,
Ponzi Vineyards has practiced a northwest. It includes several discrete spurs, mountains and ridges, such as Ribbon Ridge and
philosophy of innovation, Parrett Mountain.
experimentation, respectful The highest point within the Willamette Valley is the Chehalem Mountains’ Bald Peak (at 1,633
stewardship of the land, and
achieving consistent excellence in feet) affecting weather for the AVA and for adjoining grape growing hillsides. It is the geography
their wines. and climate that differentiate this AVA from others.
All three important hillside soil types are represented: basaltic, ocean sedimentary and loess (blown
lake bed sediment), the predominant soil on the northern face of the Chehalem Mountains.
Elk Cove
In 1979, the Campbell’s 1978
Riesling won gold at the Oregon Ponzi ponziwines.com
State Fair, the Tri-Cities Wine
Festival, and the Seattle Ponzi Chardonnay Reserve, Willamette Valley 2016 (6pk) $191.90 93 JS, 90 WS
Enological Society annual tasting. Ponzi Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2015 $203.90 90 WE
Pat and Joe had proof – they
really could make world class Ponzi Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2017 $179.90
wines. In 1985 when Robert
Parker of the Wine Advocate Ponzi Tavola Pinot Noir, Chehalem 2017
famously “discovered $251.90 90 VN
Oregon” the Campbells and other Ponzi Classico Pinot Noir, Chehalem 2016 $407.90 92 WE, 92 WS
Oregon winemakers felt their
region was finally on the map. Ponzi Pinot Noir Reserve, Chehalem 2015 (6pk) $311.90 93+ WA, 91 WS
Forty years later, there are over
700 wineries in Oregon. The wine
business now ranks as one of
Oregon’s top agricultural
industries. Elk Cove elkcove.com
(also see Yamhill-Carlton)
Elk Cove Five Mountain Pinot Noir, Chehalem2017 (6pk) $239.90 91 WE
Elk Cove Clay Court Pinot Noir, Chehalem 2017 (6pk) $239.90
Beaux Frères
Founded by Michael G. Etzel, and
brother-in-law (“Beaux Frères”
in French) wine critic Robert M.
Parker Jr in 1986. Since their
first vintage in 1991, the Beaux RIBBON RIDGE DISTRICT
Frères philosophy remains the
same; to produce a world-class Ribbon Ridge is a very regular spur of ocean sediment uplift off the northwest end of the Chehalem
Pinot Noir from small, well- Mountains, containing a relatively uniform 5 1/4 square miles (3,350 acres) of land. Approximately
balanced yields and ripe, healthy 500 acres are currently planted on the ridge, within 20 vineyards.
fruit that represent the essence of
the vineyard. In 2017, Maisons & The AVA is distinguished by uniform, unique ocean sedimentary soils and a geography that is
Domaines Henriot embarked on a protected climatically by the larger landmasses surrounding it. Paucity of aquifers forces most
partnership with Michael Etzel vineyards to be dry farmed. Ribbon Ridge is contained within the larger Chehalem Mountain AVA.
acquiring Beaux Frères.
Soter Beaux Frères beauxfreres.com
At Soter Vineyards we farm our (also see Eola-Amity Hills)
wine. These wines are a reflection
of the intention to convey place as Beaux Frères Les Cousin Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 $287.90
an essential character in Beaux Frères Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 (6pk) $258.00
everything we make. The
combination of respectful Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vyd, Ribbon Ridge 2017 (6pk) $429.00 96 JS, 95 WS
farming, craftsmanship, ancient
soils, and temperate climate,
result in wines that are layered,
nuanced and seductively
captivating while remaining Soter Vineyards sotervineyards.com
modest in alcohol and tannin.
(also see Yamhill-Carlton, Dundee Hills,
Soter Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 (6pk) $269.92 93 WA
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