Pontin del Roza Winery

Scott Pontin began the Pontin Del Roza Winery as part of a Future Farmers of America project. He had yet to see his 21st birthday at the time. The Pontin (pronounced Pon-teen) family had farmed in the Yakima Valley for three generations and, with their Italian heritage, knew a thing or two about making wine. We don’t know if Scott got a blue ribbon for his FFA project, but we do know that the Pontin Del Roza Winery was born in 1984.

The winery uses grapes grown only from "the Roza," an area of south-facing slopes along the north side of the Yakima Valley. Vintner Scott Pontin uses these homegrown grapes to make approximately 4,000 cases a year of white riesling, chenin blanc, cabernet, merlot, pinot gris, sangiovese, and other limited specialty wines. If you are looking for good value, make a beeline for Pontin Del Roza. Most wines sell for $15 or less.

The winery’s north Prosser location on Hinzerling Road is a family affair that includes his parents and siblings. The newly built tasting room with a double-sided fireplace is a handsome complement to the nearby 100-acres of wine grapes. For sure, check out the old family photos adorning the walls. Picnic facilities and bocce court are available but the tasting room itself is just too darn comfortable a space to exit. Moreover, you get a little bit of Italian/Prosser farmer wisdom when you visit the winery: Carved into a rock at the winery is, “Age doesn’t matter unless you are wine.” That’s amore.

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  Pontin del Roza Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Prosser WineTrail North on page 340!