Meet 2GV (Second Generation Vintners)! Alison Sokol Blosser, Adam Campbell, Luisa Ponzi, Maria Ponzi, Anna Campbell, and Alex Sokol Blosser.
No 2GV isn't a hot new pop band, it's the acronym for Second Generation Vintners -- an exciting collaboration between three of Oregon's most respected wineries. Known as the Oregon Originals, Elk Cove Vineyards, Ponzi Vineyards, and Sokol Blosser Winery were all started in the Willamette Valley in the 1970's with a desire to produce world-class Pinot Noir. By all accounts they have succeeded. Not only has each winery garnered acclaim for their wines but they have also played a pivotal role in elevating Oregon's reputation as a prestigious winemaking region. Today each winery is being led by second generation siblings. Yes, the wine business is competitive but along with winemaking and management skills, the 2GV parents also imparted valuable lessons about the importance of collaboration.
The final blend of the 2GV Oregon Originals Pinot Noir Cuvée is 36% Ponzi, 32% Elk Cove, and 32% Sokol Bosser. 300 cases were bottled, half of which were donated to charity and the remaining bottles are available for sale at $100 each. Click here to purchase.
How many winemakers would be willing to share grapes from their finest vineyard with a competitor? That's exactly what the 2GV team did. Sharing their very best Pinot Noir grapes with each other, the 2GV team collaborated to create a single Pinot Noir wine.
A view of the individual Pinot Noir wines created by each 2GV member. Each of these 9 wines was then considered for the final blend.
I was really impressed by the camaraderie between winemakers Luisa Ponzi, Adam Campbell, and Alex Sokol Blosser. It shows tremendous faith, respect, and humility to share your finest grapes with another winemaker, give them the freedom to process those grapes in their own way, and then come together as a group to honestly evaluate each other’s efforts.
At the end of that daunting process, the winemakers worked together to come up with a harmonious blend. The 2017 2GV Oregon Originals Pinot Noir Cuvée captures a bit of each winery’s essence to create something unique, elegant, and delicious. The wine is fresh and vibrant with intense red fruit flavors, lively acidity, and a precise structure that will age beautifully. Visit the 2GV website to learn more.
And if you want to learn more about wines from Oregon, May is Oregon Wine Month. Events include the Oregon Wine Trail tasting in NYC on May 6, 2019 at the Altman Building. The cost is $85 per person and the impressive list of participating wineries includes 2GV member, Elk Cove Vineyards.
