Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming a very special guest to Wagram: Edson J. Pontes, an internationally renowned urologist and now a passionate winemaker and director of @chateau.chantal, Michigan.
He and his companions visited us amidst our vineyards, and we were very proud to welcome him. Under our apricot tree, we had inspiring conversations about wine, sustainable viticulture, and PIWI grape varieties. The conversation could easily have gone on for hours. 🍷🌿 Edson brought something very special with him: the first PIWI Johanniter ever produced in the USA – a 2025 vintage. Of course, a tasting was a must: his Johanniter from four-year-old vines was paired with our Johanniter from 13-year-old vines.
The tasting clearly demonstrated how much the soil, climate, and age of the vines shape the wine – and at the same time, how clearly the typical characteristics of the Johanniter grape remain recognizable in both wines.
Edson brought something very special with him: the first PIWI Johanniter ever produced in the USA – a Johanniter vintage from 2025. The conversation between Peter and Edson was intense, warm, and full of fascinating details, before Edson finally had to head back to his boat.
Thank you for your visit and this special afternoon on the Wagram!