Borra Vineyards traces its roots in Lodi back three generations, and the roots go even further back to a small town in Italy. Stephen J. Borra is owner and winemaker for Borra Vineyards, but the foundation of the winery goes back a hundred years ago to his maternal grandfather.
Over a century ago, Steve’s grandfather Giuseppe Manassero embarked on a journey from Carrú, Italy, to begin a new life. He made his way to Lodi, California, where he set out to create something that reminded him of la dolce vita in Italy. And with Italy as his muse, he planted the grapevine cuttings for what was to become a beloved family tradition that has grown into the family business.
Soon Giovenale Borra made the journey from Benevagiena, Italy, and settled in Lodi near his friend Giuseppe, followed by his wife and son Stephen Paul. Giovenale, a barber by trade soon moved the family to Redwood City where he settled & operated Joe’s barber Shop. But his son loved visiting the farm in Lodi, and his passion for farming grew there as well. And during his visits to Lodi, he met Lucille Manassero.
Giuseppe’s Daughter Lucille, was born, & grew up on the property of the current home of Borra Vineyards. Lucille was the youngest of five children.
Stephen & Lucille married, and the young couple settled on a near by ranch in Lockeford. It was not long before Stephen Paul and Lucille were raising a family – and a vineyard – of their own. Stephen and Lucille raised two children on the family ranch, and their only son, Stephen Juvenal Borra, is the current owner of Borra Vineyards.
Steve’s wife Beverly Bowman was also born on Armstrong Road, directly across the street from the winery today. After marrying in 1966, Steve & Bev saved enough money to follow in his family’s footsteps by buying the home and the remaining 30 acres of the family ranch on Armstrong Road, the birthplace of his mother and the spot where his parents had met. It was more than a piece of land, or a vineyard, it was a piece of his family’s heritage—one that he could carefully leave to his children and grandchildren,
Stephen J. began making wine for his family in 1967, and the results were quite good. After nearly a decade of success, Steve formally started Borra Vineyards. The winery was bonded in 1975, producing Barbera and Carignane wines from their grapes in Lodi.
In 1992, the Borra family purchased 200 acres of ideal vineyard property that runs along the north bank of the Mokelumne River. Now called the Gill Creek Ranch, the vineyard’s terroir produces some of the finest varietals that flourish in the Clements Hills area of the Lodi Appellation. The hills of this region receive an extra dose of the cooling winds from San Francisco Bay, and the grapes have a freshness of flavor that makes this among the most popular and renowned sub-appellations in Lodi.
Today, the winery is still located at the Armstrong Road ranch site. We have available a wide variety of wines to please the most wine savvy consumer. The desire to grow grapes and produce wine now runs four generations deep on both sides of the Borra family with a passion that seems to grow stronger with each new era.
The Borra’s continue to live at the home ranch on Armstrong Road flanked by their grown children and their families on nearby, adjacent ranches. We invite you to join us at the home ranch in Lodi to taste our new generation of wines and share a toast to the amazing history that went into creating our favorite wines. Enjoy!
Found your website very interesting. I recall your starting your winery back in 1967. I don’t know if Bev remembers me…but my family used to live across the street from hers in Lodi on South Ham Lane. My Dad (Ed Ehrhardt) did your wedding pictures….a few year back! Glad to see the winery is prospering in Woodbridge/Galt area.
Regards…
Donna Ehrhardt Mann
(I was the youngest one)
I think about you guys often – your Mom, Venere had adopted my Sheltie, Tina and you had her when Venere started traveling. I will always be grateful to you for giving Tina a wonderful home and allowing me to visit even though it was so hard to leave her and say goodbye when I did visit. She loved running among the grape vines and it was a joy to see that.
WE HAD A GREAT TIME AT THE POLENTA FEED FOR THE ITALIAN SCHOOL.
WE ENJOYED YOUR FREIND SHIP AND WINE, LENORD IS A GREAT WINE
OPENER.PIEMONTESE HAVE GOOD TIME ANYWERE THE GO.
BEST REGARDS TO YOU AND YOUR WIFE.CIAO LOU.
Having read this article reinforces the deep sense of passion I sensed when I met you all in Richmond at Wineries Unlimited. I was impressed with meeting Markus Niggli and the fact that he could craft beautiful wines with yeasts from the Vineyard, reinforcing his opinion that only excellent fruit would allow this process to work. Best regards to you all and be well.