Greg Boeger has received the 2018 wine lifetime achievement award from the California State Fair.

He and his wife, Sue, started Boeger Winery in 1972. It is the oldest winery in El Dorado County.

Greg Boeger grew up on his grandfather’s Nichelini Winery in Napa. This is where he developed his knowledge of grape growing and winemaking.

In El Dorado, Boeger became a pioneer in experimenting with underdog varietals such as Barbera, Carignane, Refosco, Charbono, and Aglianico. Barbera emerged as the winery’s golden child early on and has garnered 120 medals for this one varietal, including multiple “Best Barbera of California” and “Best Barbera of the Sierra Foothills” at the California State Fair.

He shares the lifetime achievement award with the Bogle family.