Vino Veritas: A Night with Ponzi Vineyards: Celebrating Williamette Valley Excellence
Please join us for an exclusive wine dinner with Jean-Baptiste Rivail, CEO of Ponzi Vineyards and Executive Vice President of Groupe Bollinger USA. Grgich Hills Estate
*Seats are limited, so please reserve early to secure your place!*
The Harvard Club of Japan and Michael Khoo, President of WineToStyle, are pleased to present an intimate wine dinner featuring Ponzi Vineyards, one of the pioneering estates of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Founded in 1970 by Dick and Nancy Ponzi, the winery has played a defining role in establishing the region as one of the world’s premier producers of Pinot Noir. Today, Ponzi Vineyards continues its legacy of innovation and stewardship, crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines with a deep commitment to sustainable viticulture and the expression of Oregon’s unique landscape. Following its recent acquisition by Groupe Bollinger, Ponzi Vineyards enters an exciting new chapter - pairing its Oregon roots with the global expertise of one of France’s most esteemed wine families.
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This exclusive evening will be hosted by Jean-Baptiste ("JB") Rivail, CEO of Ponzi Vineyards and Executive Vice President of Groupe Bollinger USA. With roots in a long lineage of French wine merchants and a distinguished international career spanning Champagne Vranken-Pommery, Moët Hennessy, and Newton Vineyards in Napa Valley, JB brings a global perspective and deep expertise to his leadership. Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated menu paired with Ponzi’s acclaimed wines, alongside insights into the winery’s history, philosophy, and its place within the broader world of fine wine.
Tasting & Pairing:
A specially curated soba kaiseki dinner by "hidden" restaurant Koumoto paired with an exceptional selection of wines.
Please note that seating is limited, and cancellations after May 19th or no-shows will be billed after the event.
Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Time: 18:30 Cocktails, Dinner & Tasting 19:00
Location: Koumoto Restaurant, 5 Chome-1-10 Minamiazabu, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0047
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DN2cusFm8cE7MLpbA
Admission Fee: ¥25,000 per person (tax and service charge included). Cash only; exact change appreciated.
Please RSVP via the link below.
Ponzi Vineyards
For over five decades, Ponzi Vineyards has been guided by a deep respect for the land, crafting wines that embody the quiet beauty and untamed spirit of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Nestled in the Laurelwood District AVA, the estate vineyards feature some of the oldest own-rooted vines in the state, thriving in the energetically-rich Laurelwood soils that define the region.
Sustainability is at the heart of Ponzi Vineyards’ philosophy, guiding every decision from vineyard to cellar. Their estate vineyards in the Laurelwood District are farmed using organic, regenerative, and LIVE-certified practices, with a focus on soil health, biodiversity, and long-term environmental stewardship. Native habitats are preserved alongside the vines, and thoughtful techniques, from cover cropping to natural pest management, help maintain a balanced, living ecosystem.
In the winery, this same ethos continues through a meticulous, low-intervention approach. A state-of-the-art gravity-flow facility, designed to minimize handling and preserve fruit integrity, allows wines to move naturally through each stage of production, while native yeast fermentations and gentle techniques ensure that each vintage reflects the purity of site and season.
The result is a portfolio defined by elegance, balance, and a profound sense of place - wines that capture the distinctive character of Oregon’s Willamette Valley and embody a legacy of innovation, stewardship, and enduring excellence.
JB Rivail
Jean-Baptiste (JB) Rivail is the CEO of Ponzi Vineyards and Executive Vice President of Groupe Bollinger USA.
For Jean-Baptiste, an appreciation of wine, the culinary arts and the French “Art de Vivre” comes naturally. On his father’s side, an unbroken lineage of ancestors dating back to the 1800s were wine merchants in the Southern French Alps.
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Jean-Baptiste brings a rich resume in the world of fine wine, wine distribution and international management to his role at Ponzi Vineyards. After leading international sales for Champagne Vranken-Pommery, Rivail was hired by Moet- Hennessy and the LVMH group as VP International sales, to steer developments for Hennessy Cognac across the Americas. He most recently held the position of General Manager for the group’s iconic Newton Vineyards in Napa Valley.
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In addition to his responsibilities at Ponzi Vineyards, Jean-Baptiste has also been appointed Executive Vice President Groupe Bollinger USA. In this role, Rivail leads development of the group’s French wine brands in the U.S.: Champagne Bollinger, Champagne Ayala, Domaine Chanson, and Langlois-Chateau, Hubert Brochard Sancerre.