Luisa Ponzi graduated from Portland State University, Portland, Oregon in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science. Following her undergraduate studies, Luisa moved to Beaune, France, where she continued her education in viticulture and enology. 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 Professionnel D’Oenologie et Viticulture, at the time the only American woman to earn such distinction. In addition to her formal studies of enology and viticulture, Luisa has traveled extensively throughout other prominent wine regions including Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Slovenia and the United States.
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.
Luisa continues to educate herself through contacts with winemakers around the world, frequent winery tastings and vineyard and winemaking conferences. She currently sits on the advisory board of the Northwest Enology and Viticulture Center in Salem, Oregon.
Luisa has been honored with awards and accolades, all contributing to Ponzi’s heightened stature in the national arena. She, her husband, fellow winemaker Eric Hamacher, and their four children reside atop Chehalem Mountain with commanding views of the glorious valley.
For 17 vintages, Luisa’s passion and winemaking talent have continued Ponzi Vineyards’ 40-year acclaimed tradition of producing some of the world’s finest wines.
“Ponzi Vineyards remains a reference point for American Pinot Noir with winemaker Luisa Ponzi at the top of her game.”
– Robert M. Parker’s The Wine Advocate October 2008
“By adding academic knowledge to her unparalleled experience learning from her father, Luisa Ponzi has become one of the most formidable winemakers in the country.”
– Oregon Wine Report, June 2002