Greg Boeger, owner and winemaker, bought this mid-1800s Gold Rush vineyard in the 1970s, and it has become one of the leading wineries in El Dorado County. Boeger's family has had a long interest in winemaking. Greg's grandfather, Anton Nichelini, had a vineyard and produced wine in the Napa Valley more than 100 years ago.

The vineyards are planted on steep hills. An old wine storage building was restored (but not modernized too much) to serve as a rustic tasting room. Picnic tables dot the property -- in the garden and orchard. The first wine was sold in 1972.

Almost all of the grapes used for wine at Boeger are grown in the winery's vinyards, with Zinfandel, Cabernet, and Sauvignon Blanc having been offered for years. The winery also produces Muscat Canelli. Like others in the area, Boeger is growing young plantings of Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and Refosco, taking advantage of the region's affinity for northern Italian grape varieties. He also produces Syrah and Grenache -- Rhone varietals -- and two Spanish wines, Graciano and Tempranillo. Bordeaux is represented by Cabernet franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The winery now produces about 20,000 cases a year

Location: 1709 Carson Road, Placerville (off Highway 50)
Tasting: daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.