The Ponzi Family has been producing world acclaimed wines in the northern Willamette Valley since 1970. For over 35 years they have been leading participants in the development of the Oregon wine region, which currently boasts 250 wineries. Wine touring in the Willamette Valley, as in other famed wine regions around the world, is very popular. Tourism overall is now one of Oregon's leading industries.

In 1999, the Ponzi Family recognized the rapidly increasing enthusiasm for wine touring was not supported by sufficient fine dining facilities located in wine country. They took a risk, one some observers described as overly ambitious and naively premature. They conceived, constructed and continue to operate the Culinary Center in the tiny, but perfectly situated, town of Dundee. The center presents The Dundee Bistro, the Ponzi Wine Bar showcasing the region's finest wines, and Your Northwest, a specialty store focused on regional food and craft products. Reception to the facility has been overwhelming, garnering local popularity along with excellent reviews and recommendations in national media.