The Drinks Business, the global leading drinks trade publication, reports that Oregon’s Willamette Valley officially gains two new AVAs: Laurelwood and Tualatin Hills.
Laurelwood District gained approval after Luisa Ponzi, president of Ponzi Vineyards; Maria Ponzi, winemaker of Ponzi Vineyards; and Kevin Johnson, winemaker of Dion Vineyards formally submitted an application and began lobbying in 2016. The distinguishing feature of the AVA is its soil type, which as the name suggests, is laurelwood. The soil consists of loess combined with basalt.
Commenting on the news Anna Maria Ponzi, president and owner of Ponzi Vineyards, said: “Our hope is that this AVA will better define this part of the Willamette Valley that is unique due to its geology and therefore, its wines. As consumers are eager to know more about the products they purchase, this designation enables us to tell the story of this place and why and how our wines are different.”
Oregon’s-Willamette-Valley-gains-two-new-AVAsRelated Producers
Ponzi Vineyards
Chehalem Mountain AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Dick and Nancy Ponzi helped put Oregon on the wine map, and the Ponzi family has worked continuously for over 50 years leading and innovating in the region and, in the case of Pinot Noir, across the country and indeed the world. Today winemaker Luisa Ponzi continues her work with the family of Champagne Bollinger, which acquired the estate in 2021.
