Supervisor Thomas, (Photo courtesy of Apple Hill Growers Assc.)

(PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA) July 8, 2022 — On June 28, 2022, it was the BOS’ pleasure to recognize and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Boeger Winery.

The Boeger’s have a remarkable story in that they are the first post-prohibition commercial winery in El Dorado County which effectively launched our wine industry.  As equal partners and modern-day pioneers, Greg and Sue built their business side-by-side (on a Gold Rush homestead), and they joined with other original wineries (Madrona, Lava Cap and Sierra Vista) to achieve the official AVA designation known as the “El Dorado” American Viticultural Area.  Additionally, Greg was instrumental in creating our Agricultural Commission, which is not a feature in every California county, as well as helping craft the Ranch Marketing and Winery Ordinances which help protect our rural ag economy.

This is just a glimpse into Boeger Winery’s significance in our County, and even beyond their accomplishments, the Boeger family are amazing people who are deeply devoted to our community.  Cheers to the past 50 years, and cheers to your enduring legacy and ongoing success!

Proclamation

PROCLAMATION Of the Board of Supervisors of the County of El Dorado In Recognition and Celebration of GREG and SUE BOEGER On the Fiftieth Anniversary of Boeger Winery

WHEREAS, The Boeger Winery estate was homesteaded during the 1849 Gold Rush by the Fossati-Lombardo family who, after futile attempts in the gold fields, turned their land into a fruit and nut farm and then a winery and distillery. Much of their wine was made from Mission grapes, and a small patch of original vines still remain today, producing wine;

WHEREAS, In 1972, Greg and Sue Boeger founded the first post-prohibition commercial winery in El Dorado County, effectively launching the El Dorado County Wine Industry. As equal partners, the Boegers worked side by side, with Sue building the business and Greg managing the winemaking and farming which was the natural result of his younger years working on his grandfather’s winery, founded in Napa in 1890;

WHEREAS, The success of the Boeger’s endeavors would not have been possible without the vision and work of the El Dorado County Ag Commissioner and Farm Advisor who had to pivot following the devastation of the pear blight in 1970 which destroyed our County’s primary product. After consulting with UC Davis, it was determined that wine would be the most viable option to carry the Ag Industry into the future, paving the way for the Boegers to become modern-day pioneers;

WHEREAS, The majority of wineries or grape growers in the County have come to Greg for advice, counsel and support, and he has helped them make connections, analyze properties, provide clippings while sharing knowledge to facilitate success. Additionally, the Boegers, along with other original wineries like Madrona, Sierra Vista and Lava Cap, did the heavy work to achieve an official AVA designation known as the “El Dorado” American Viticultural area, and the Boegers were founding members of the El Dorado Winery Association and the El Dorado County Wine Grape Growers Association;

WHEREAS, At the county level, Greg was instrumental in creating the Agricultural Commission which is not a feature of every California county. He also helped craft the Winery Ordinance and the Ranch Marketing Ordinance which has worked to preserve the working rural landscape and inform sound land use policy where a thriving agricultural industry is a guiding value;

WHEREAS, Boeger winery is to be commended for their innovation, spearheading new and interesting varieties like Barbera in 1975. This paved the way for an El Dorado County original and it inspired an astonishing array of other unique and diverse wines in the region. Notably, Greg Boeger received the Wine Lifetime Achievement Award at the State Fair in 2017, joining the ranks of industry giants, Mondavi and UC Davis. Now, the next generation of Boegers are active in advancing the family legacy with Justin carrying on the farming and winemaking, and Lexi, after serving the winery’s marketing and design needs, is following in her father’s footsteps in advocating for El Dorado County ag industries and community relationships.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of El Dorado recognizes and celebrates Greg and Sue Boeger for sparking the El Dorado County Wine Industry while influencing and defining its stellar reputation and character over the past five decades.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of El Dorado at a regular meeting of said Board, held the 28th day of June, 2022.