Gris (2018)

Certain vintages make winemakers feel irrelevant; the 2018 vintage in the Willamette Valley was just that. The weather conditions throughout the growing season remained so ideal that the fruit came into the winery in pristine condition, perfectly and slowly ripened to intense flavor and maturity, all the winemaker needed to do was step aside and allow gorgeous wines to happen.

After gently pressing the whole clusters, the juice for the 2018 Pinot Gris was transferred to small, 75-gallon stainless steel barrels for fermentation, and then allowed to mature undisturbed for five months sur lie (ageing on the lees), enhancing the silky texture and mouthfeel, before a very gentle bottling. Gris is a hopeful young girl lost in her own world, dealing with a painful experience in her life. Her journey through sorrow is manifested in her dress, which grants new abilities to better navigate her faded reality.

Gris Blanc 2018

The season began with each milestone hit at the expected time (bud break mid-April, flowering mid June and fruit set in mid-July). The warm and dry summer had us all believing we were in for another early vintage and ripening due to heat stress, but early September rains allowed the vines a drink and cooler nights slowed down ripening to allow the fruit to be picked when perfectly ready.

Ponzi Pinot Gris 2018

The white wines are aromatic and fresh with great fruit intensity and the reds are deeply colored with beautiful tannin structure, spicy dark fruits flavors and inherent balance. These wines should be pretty amazing on release, but have all that’s needed to take some age and evolution

Gris (2018)