Winemaker: Luisa Ponzi

Luisa Ponzi graduated from Portland State University, Portland, Oregon in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Following her undergraduate studies, Luisa moved to Beaune, France, where she continued her education. As part of the required curriculum, Luisa apprenticed with Burgundian producer, M. Christophe Roumier of Domaine Roumier of Chambolle Musigny, France as well as with Italian producer Luca Currado of Vietti in Piedmont, Italy. In 1993, Luisa was awarded the Certficate Brevet Professionelle D'Oenologie et Viticulture.

In addition to her formal studies of enology and viticulture, Luisa has traveled extensively throughout other prominent wine regions including Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Austria, Slovenia and the United States. Since 1986, she has participated in all the International Pinot Noir Celebrations in McMinnville, Oregon and has attended all of the accompanying Steamboat Technical Pinot Noir Conferences.

Luisa combines her formal winemaking experience with her lifelong work with her father, Dick Ponzi, at their Willamette Valley vineyards and winery. Since 1993, Luisa has brought her knowledge of Burgundian practices combined with her personal experience to the family-owned winery.

She continues to educate herself through contacts with winemakers around the world, constant winery tastings and vineyard and winemaking conferences. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology), Oregon's internationally certified sustainable viticulture program and the advisory board of the Northwest Enology and Viticulture Center in Salem, Oregon.

For more than 10 vintages, Luisa's passion and winemaking talent has continued Ponzi Vineyards' 35-year acclaimed tradition of producing some of the world's finest wines.

Annual Production: 30,000 cases

Grape Varieties Planted

• Chardonnay
• Pinot Blanc
• Pinot Gris / Grigio
• Pinot Noir
• Arneis
• Dolcetto
• Riesling