Ahead of the 2024 harvest season, The Allison Inn & Spa had the privilege of hosting a group of esteemed media members for an exclusive introduction to our estate wine, Austin Knoll. Led by Wine Director Elaine Heide, with a surprise appearance by winemaker Luisa Ponzi, the intimate gathering offered both a reflection on the vineyard’s rich history and an exciting preview of what lies ahead.
Elaine, who joined The Allison in 2022, shared her passion for creating engaging, educational wine experiences. With a career that began in 2003 and spans the full spectrum of the wine industry, her expertise goes far beyond the role of a traditional sommelier.
“My role as The Allison’s wine director is not just service,” she explained. “It allows me to creatively teach about wine through experiences like this,” while her sommelier team focuses on the service side.
The Austin Knoll story began in 2009 when the first vines were planted, just before The Allison’s grand opening. Under the guidance of our first winemaker, David Paige (formerly of Adelsheim Vineyard), the inaugural vintage was bottled in 2012. In a tribute to this partnership, Elaine treated guests to a taste of Adelsheim’s 2016 Sparkling Brut Rosé, honoring their contribution to our early winemaking journey.
Elaine led the group on a walk through the vineyard, introducing them to a block of 115 clone Pinot Noir. She encouraged them to taste the sweet grapes straight from the vine. As they passed the occasional cluster on the ground, she and Luisa explained how it’s common practice to reduce grape yields mid-season to intensify the flavors of the remaining fruit – a commitment to quality over quantity in the vineyard.
As guests savored Austin Knoll’s first vintage, the conversation shifted to the unique terroir of the Willamette Valley. The rolling hillside where The Allison sits is a prime example of the region’s distinctive volcanic and sedimentary soils, which shape the characteristics of our wines.
After five vintages, Ken Wright of Ken Wright Cellars took over as Austin Knoll’s partner winemaker in 2017. To illustrate the contrast between winemaking styles, Elaine poured Ken’s 2019 pinot noir from his “Earth, Fire, Water” series, which celebrates the soil’s influence on each wine’s profile. It has been a true privilege to collaborate with Ken on Austin Knoll wines through the 2022 vintage.
The tour concluded on the Living Room Terrace, where Executive Chef Jack Strong welcomed the group with a small bite designed to pair perfectly with Elaine’s final tasting. She poured the 2022 pinot noir, paired with Chef’s wagyu tartare on brioche and a fresh sliver of patty pan squash grown onsite in the Chef’s Garden.
Chef Jack creates his menus with a focus on complementing the wine. He starts by tasting and discussing each wine with Elaine, drawing inspiration from its unique notes and textures. This ensures that the food and wine enhance one another, creating a harmonious balance rather than one overpowering the other.
Soon, guests at JORY Restaurant will be able to enjoy small bite pairings and Austin Knoll wine flights like those shared at this event. The rollout aligns perfectly with the release of the 2023 Austin Knoll pinot noir, which is aging in the barrel under the care of Austin Knoll’s next winemaking partner—Luisa Ponzi.
As for what to expect next, Luisa shared her approach to winemaking: “I make space to try different things and let the fruit speak for itself, rather than imposing my style as a winemaker.” Her first Austin Knoll vintage is set for release in 2025, and Elaine and her sommelier team will collaborate on the final blend next spring.
As the 2024 harvest season kicks off, anticipation is growing for what promises to be an extraordinary vintage! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this exciting journey with Luisa Ponzi and explore the future of Austin Knoll wines.
