Boeger Winery

Boeger Winery was founded in 1972 by Greg Boeger, a UC Davis-trained viticulturist whose family wine heritage traces to his grandfather Anton Nichelini, founder of Nichelini Family Winery in Napa Valley's Chiles Valley District in 1890. Greg and his wife Susan acquired the historic Fossati-Lombardo property near Placerville in El Dorado County and undertook a multi-year restoration of the 1870s-era stone winery and surrounding vineyards. The bonding of Boeger Winery in 1972 made it the first commercial winery in El Dorado County since Prohibition, effectively launching the modern Sierra Foothills wine revival. The Fossati-Lombardo connection roots Boeger directly in the Gold Rush-era California wine industry, when Italian and Spanish immigrants planted vineyards throughout the Sierra Foothills to serve the mining communities. The Boeger family has maintained continuous ownership and operation since founding, providing five decades of stylistic continuity and varietal experimentation.

• Founded 1972 by Greg and Susan Boeger; first bonded winery in El Dorado County since Prohibition
• Greg Boeger's grandfather Anton Nichelini founded Nichelini Family Winery in Napa's Chiles Valley District in 1890
• Sited on the historic Fossati-Lombardo Winery property (approximately 1872), restored from Gold Rush-era state
• Boeger family maintains continuous ownership since founding; Justin Boeger (Greg's son) assumed primary winemaking and operations

The Boeger estate spans approximately 90 acres of vineyard at elevations from 1,800 to 2,200 feet in the El Dorado AVA. Soils are predominantly decomposed granite with metamorphic schist veins, characteristic of the El Dorado AVA. The elevation places vineyards above the Central Valley fog and provides large diurnal swings that preserve acidity through warm summer growing conditions. The varietal mix is unusually broad: more than 25 varieties planted across the estate, with substantial blocks of Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot), Italian varieties (Barbera, Aglianico, Refosco), Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Viognier), and Spanish varieties (Tempranillo). The variety breadth reflects Greg Boeger's commitment to identifying which grapes best suit the El Dorado AVA terroir and providing source material for the regional industry. Many subsequent El Dorado County wineries trace their varietal experimentation to plantings or budwood sourced from Boeger.

• Approximately 90 acres of estate vineyard at 1,800-2,200 feet in the El Dorado AVA
• Soils: decomposed granite + metamorphic schist; characteristic of the western Sierra Foothills geology
• More than 25 varieties planted; broad varietal experimentation defines the estate program
• Boeger's varietal experiments have provided source material and influence for subsequent El Dorado County wineries

Boeger's portfolio reflects the estate's varietal breadth. Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and the Meritage-style Hangtown Red blend) anchor the red program with structured tannins and dark fruit appropriate to the high-elevation site. Italian varieties (Barbera, Aglianico, Refosco) showcase what the family considers among California's most successful high-elevation Italian variety expressions; Aglianico in particular has been a critical-recognition driver. Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier) participate in the broader Rhône Rangers movement that defines much of Sierra Foothills production. Zinfandel from the estate (including from old-vine sources within El Dorado County) maintains the heritage tradition of the Sierra Foothills industry. Whites include Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Pinot Grigio. The flagship Hangtown Red Meritage blend remains a signature value-tier offering and has been continuously produced for several decades.

• Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, plus the Meritage-style Hangtown Red flagship blend
• Italian varieties: Barbera, Aglianico (critically recognized), Refosco; among California's most successful high-elevation Italian programs
• Rhône varieties: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier; participates in the Rhône Rangers movement
• Zinfandel from estate and old-vine El Dorado sources; heritage variety reflecting Sierra Foothills tradition

Greg Boeger has served as a continuous advocate for the Sierra Foothills wine industry across his five-decade career. He served on the California Wine Institute and California Wine Grape Growers Association boards, helped petition for the establishment of the El Dorado AVA (designated 1983), and has mentored numerous winemakers who launched subsequent El Dorado County wineries. The winery operates a public tasting room at the Placerville estate and serves as an entry point for visitors discovering the Sierra Foothills region. Recognition has come less through high-scoring critical reviews than through industry honors and community influence; Boeger Winery is widely regarded as the founding institution of the modern Sierra Foothills wine industry. The historic Fossati-Lombardo stone cellar provides an unusual heritage tourism asset, connecting visitors directly to the Gold Rush-era California wine industry.

• Greg Boeger served on the California Wine Institute and California Wine Grape Growers Association boards
• Helped petition for El Dorado AVA designation (established 1983)
• Mentored numerous winemakers who launched subsequent El Dorado County wineries
• Historic Fossati-Lombardo stone cellar provides heritage tourism asset connecting visitors to Gold Rush-era California wine industry