Wineries in California: The saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” certainly applies to Greg Boeger, who founded Boeger Winery with his wife Sue in 1972. Greg, whose grandfather was a
Napa Valley vintner, had spent much of his childhood in a winery, and he didn’t waste much time after graduating from UC Davis to start making his own wine. He was drawn to the beauty and potential of El Dorado County in the Sierra Foothills and purchased a vineyard that had been planted with vines since the 1850s.
In 1973, the Boegers began building their winery on the very spot homesteaded by the Fossati-Lombardo family. They converted one of the original buildings into a beautiful tasting facility and started pouring wine for visitors the following year, making Boeger the first post-Prohibition winery to open in El Dorado County.
Greg is known for being one of California’s first vintners to grow and work with Merlot. But he’s not one to hang his hat on just one varietal. Almost all of the grapes that go into Boeger wines are estate-grown in one of the winery’s four vineyards. Forty acres are planted to grapevines on the winery’s historic estate vineyard and adjacent Fossati Vineyard. The winery also leases land in two other parts of El Dorado County to capture more of the region’s diverse flavors.
As a winemaker, Greg has a reputation for producing consistently high quality wines, but he prefers to spend his time in the vineyard. And—since the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree—he has passed the winemaking responsibilities on to his son Justin, who hasn’t missed a beat. Justin has introduced several new wines and techniques to the winery and has won numerous prestigious accolades, including the Grand Champion prize for the 2006 Boeger Walker Zinfandel at the 2008 California Zinfandel Championship Justin reports that it’s ready to drink now, and savvy wine lovers won’t need a second invitation.
WHAT TO BUY
’08 Barbera Fig, clove, black pepper, blackberry $17
’06 Walker Zinfandel Cedar, plum, oak, blackberry, cherry, anise, vanilla, butter $18.50
’09 Sauvignon Blanc Peach, apricot, pear, honey, nectarine, banana, orange $14
’05 Milagro Reserve Earth, cedar, vanilla, blueberry, pepper, raspberry, oak, butter $25
CONTACT
530.622.8094; 800.655.2634
boegerwinery.com
1709 Carson Rd
Placerville, CA 95667
Tasting Room Open Daily 10–5
GETTING THERE
From Hwy 50 in Placerville, take exit 48 at Schnell School Rd. Go north on Schnell School Rd, then turn right onto Carson Rd. The winery is on the left.
