Ponzi Vineyards One of the Founding Families of Oregon Wine. The Ponzi family is one of the founding families of the Oregon wine business, bringing more than four decades of experience, exploration and innovation to the wines of Willamette Valley. After researching old-world grape varieties in Burgundy and Alsace, the Ponzi family brought their knowledge to the Pacific Northwest, hearts set on growing Pinot Noir. In the late 1960s, they purchased 20 acres in the north Willamette Valley. The climate, soil and vineyard sites were perfect for noble cool-climate grape varieties. In 1970, they founded Ponzi Vineyards with plantings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Alsatian white varieties. Since its founding in 1970, Ponzi Vineyards has practiced winemaking that is grounded in a remarkable balance between innovation and tradition. In the vineyard and the cellar, gentle handling and a deep respect for varietal integrity are the foundation of their winemaking philosophy. While many Oregon wineries feature a balanced eco-system in the vineyard, Ponzi Vineyards also maintains a sustainable workforce through high wages, full-time employment and healthcare options. A new modern winery was designed by Dick Ponzi and completed in 2008. Designed to be a showpiece for the Willamette Valley, this winery is a sustainable, four-level gravity-flow facility perched atop a Chehalem Mountains slope. The design maximizes the natural contours of the site for light, temperature control, gravity-flow processing, water retention and recycling. It was one of the first Oregon facilities awarded the LIVE Winery Certification, meeting LIVE specifications for an eco-friendly building and sustainable winemaking practices. Today, the Ponzi family owns and farms over 120 acres of certified sustainable vineyards and produces nearly 40,000 cases annually. Thriving under the guiding hand of the second generation, the winery remains dedicated to producing world-class wines, while maintaining sustainable winemaking practices and committed leadership in the wine community..