Vineyard: Abetina

OwnersDick Ponzi, Nancy Ponzi
AppellationChehalem Mountains
Story20-acre vineyard planted in 1975 to 20 different clones. Grapes make up much of Ponzi Reserve and all of the Abetina vineyard-designate Pinot Noir.
VarietiesPinot Noir

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2013 Ponzi Vineyards Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.55, 1,250 cases, $60. A blend of LIVE Certified Sustainable fruit from Ponzi’s Aurora, Abetina and Madrona vineyards, as well as fruit from Linda Vista, Kason, Zenith and Walnut Ridge vineyards. Primarily grapes grown in Laurelwood soils in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, 7-day post-fermentation maceration, and aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered and aged an additional 5 months before release. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasing aromas of cherry, raspberry, herbs, nuts and nori. The array of darker red cherry and berry fruit really sparkles on the palate which offers added accents of black tea, savory dried herbs and toasty oak. Silky tannins add a seductive mouthfeel. This is a giving wine upon opening, but becomes noticeably better over time in the glass. Decant or hold in your cellar for full enjoyment. Score: 91. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Ponzi Vineyards Abetina Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc.. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of blackberry jam and cassis. A big-boned wine that has layers of purple and black fruits that saturate the palate. There are plenty of muscular tannins evident, yet the mouthfeel is smooth. The finish is striking with persistent and infused with generous sweet boysenberry fruit. Cellar this wine mid to long term for full enjoyment. Score: 93. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Ponzi Vineyards Abetina Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., 100 cases, pH 3.66, $100, etched bottle. From a 2-acre site planted in 1975 as part of an Oregon Clonal Test site with over 20 different Pinot Noir clones planted. Located on an east-facing slope in the Chehalem Mountains AVA on Laurelwood soil. Produced only in special vintages (1998, 1999, 2005 and 2008). 100% de-stemmed. 7-day post-fermentation maceration. Aged 20 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered and aged in bottle for 5 months before release. · Moderately deep, dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very shy nose, offering subtle aromas of blackberry jam, plums, spice and a hint of toasty oak. Delicious core of ripe dark red and black fruits, especially plum and olallieberry, with a hint of anise and oak. The prodigious fruit has a savory edge and is nicely complimented by firm tannins and juicy acidity. Silky smooth in the mouth with amazing fruit-driven persistence on the finish. A serious wine for connoisseurs that is pouty at present with the structure trumping the fruit. This wine will benefit from several years in the cellar. Very good (+). Reviewed January 27, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Ponzi Vineyards Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., $60, 3,000 cases. Sourced primarily from the Chehalem Mountain AVA including estate Madrona, Aurora and Abetina vineyards. Aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak. · Aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak. This has a “Oh! My God” nose showing crushed black cherries and baking spices. Very lovely. Dark berry-cherry fruit which is velvety on the palate. Seamless. Very good and maybe even orgasmic. Don’t miss this one. Reviewed January 30, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Ponzi Abetina Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 100 cases, $100, etched . The Abetina Vineyard is a 2-acre vineyard established in 1975 and planted to 20 different Pinot Noir clones. Grapes from this vineyard are often put into the Ponzi Reserve Pinot Noir and a separate vineyard-designate is only made in exceptional vintages. · Redolent with both red and black spiced cherries along with dried herbs and sprinkled with cinnamon, this wine is plush, supple and delicious. There are some unresolved tannins, but they are fine and sweet. This wine charms with its discreet concentrated fruit. A striking wine that is in a class by itself. Reviewed August 19, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »