Booker Vineyard's Winemaking Operation Achieves CCOF Organic Certification

Regeneratively Farmed Estate Recognized for Vertical Organic Practices from Vine to Bottle

Paso Robles, California-Following certification for its estate vineyard by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) in 2021 and Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) in 2023, Booker Vineyard & Winery today announced that its winemaking operation has now achieved CCOF certification, effectively closing the loop on the winery's organic practices from vine to bottle.

This new distinctionaffirms that each Booker wine is made in accordance with the rigorous production standards of CCOF certification, without the use of any synthetically sourced materials or additives. The CCOF winemaking certification effort was spearheaded 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 extensive documentation of grape processing, winemaking and sanitation practices; minor adjustments in the cellar; and an official on-site inspection conducted by a third-party auditor on behalf of CCOF to verify details and ensure full compliance. Lonborg worked with Associate Vineyard Manager John Howell to gather the required data, charts and chain-of-custody documentation. The certification is subject to annual audits.

While Booker founder Eric Jensen began practicing organic farming in 2006, he eventually saw the merit in official certifications as a means to reinforce the winery's dedication to transparency, community and environmental responsibility. The new winemaking certification is part of this natural progression. "It verifies that we are walking the talk," Lonborg said. "More than ever before, we are leaning into the environmentally 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."

Added Turrone, "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 using a synthetic pesticide or herbicide."

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Established in 2001 by farmer-winemaker Eric Jensen, Booker Vineyard & Winery specializes in premium estate wines from its 85-acre organic and regenerative vineyard in westside Paso Robles. Booker's wines are perennially acclaimed as among the finest in California. In 2021, Booker opened a state-of-the-art visitor center with underground wine caves and an indoor-outdoor tasting lounge that flows into the vineyard environment. The winery and estate vineyard are solar powered, and the vineyard is CCOF and Regenerative Organic Certified®. The winery operations are also CCOF certified. Visit BookerWines.com.