Local winery achieves organic certification for winemaking operation
Winemaker Molly Lonborg.
– Booker Vineyard & Winery announced that its winemaking operation has received certification from California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), completing the estate’s organic certification from vine to bottle.
The estate vineyard was certified organic in 2021 and Regenerative Organic Certified in 2023. The new certification affirms that all Booker wines are produced in accordance with CCOF standards, without synthetically sourced materials or additives.
The certification process was led by General Manager Pete Turrone and Senior Winemaker Molly Lonborg, who joined Booker in April.
“This is such a huge milestone that makes me proud to produce wines from this estate,” Lonborg said. “Shortly after I arrived this spring, Pete encouraged me to put organic certification at the top of my task list. We were already adhering to the vast majority of the required winemaking practices, so the process of gaining certification proved to be relatively straightforward.”
The process required documentation of grape processing, winemaking, and sanitation practices, as well as minor adjustments in the cellar. An on-site inspection by a third-party auditor verified the winery’s compliance. The certification is subject to annual audits.
Lonborg worked with Associate Vineyard Manager John Howell to prepare data, charts, and chain-of-custody documentation for the audit.
Booker founder Eric Jensen began practicing organic farming in 2006 and pursued official certifications to reinforce the winery’s dedication to wellness, transparency, community, and environmental responsibility.
“It verifies that we are walking the talk,” Lonborg said. “More than ever before, we are leaning into the health-conscious movement that is shaping the future of wine. We want our industry community to see that it’s achievable and we are happy to help others who would like to follow this path.”
Turrone added, “We started with organic farming because we felt it was the right thing to do for the earth. Under the rigorous standards set forth by both CCOF and ROC, people can rest assured that Booker wines are made in a way that supports soil health and social responsibility without ever using a synthetic pesticide or herbicide.”
