Booker Vineyard names Molly Lonborg senior winemaker
Molly Lonborg.
New senior winemaker brings 15 years of local experience
– Booker Vineyard has named Molly Lonborg as senior winemaker, placing her in charge of daily winemaking operations at the estate vineyard in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles.
The appointment follows Lonborg’s 15-year winemaking career in Paso Robles, with experience in producing Rhône-style wines and practicing organic farming. These areas are central to Booker Vineyard’s production focus.
“I have been consistently impressed with Molly’s work over many years,” said General Manager and Director of Winemaking Pete Turrone. “She is an earth sciences graduate whose vineyard expertise goes well beyond that of a typical winemaker, encompassing extensive experience in the organic and regenerative farming that we are so passionate about at Booker. Molly embodies the Booker culture through her unwavering commitment to excellence and scientific rigor, and her deep respect for traditional winemaking. She is a genuinely wonderful person whose radiant positivity and mentorship will be invaluable to our team.”
Lonborg will collaborate with Turrone and Senior Vineyard Manager Hilary Graves as part of the winemaking program at the estate.
“I was drawn to Booker because the wines, the terroir and the people are incredible,” Lonborg said. “The farming ethos is a perfect fit, and the culture is one of continual collaboration and experimentation. It’s an incredible foundation to build upon and an exciting challenge to see where we can go next. Freshness, elegance and terroir will remain the focus.”
Originally from Mendocino, Lonborg earned a degree in Earth Sciences with a concentration in Wine and Viticulture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She began her career at two Paso Robles wineries before joining Halter Ranch in 2011, where she rose to the role of associate winemaker. In 2020, she became head winemaker at Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery in Paso Robles.
Lonborg lives on a ranch in Paso Robles with her husband, Regenerative Vineyard Consultant Jordan Lonborg, and their two children. The family enjoys camping, travel, raising pigs and growing organic crops.
“I’ve had the pleasure to walk vineyards and purchase fruit from Molly during the past 15 years, and I knew early on that she was going to be a star in Paso Robles and throughout the wine world as a true vigneron,” said Booker Founder Eric Jensen. “Her vineyard acumen was stellar, and I was equally impressed when we started comparing early notes on phenolics. Molly is a great human, a wonderful wife and mother, and a true standout in the world of winemaking.”
