We own two vineyards that represent the very best of the Lodi Wine Appellation. Our Carrú Vineyard located in central Lodi, is the eldest of the two vineyards and has been in the family for over one hundred years. The vineyard was replanted in 1972 to Barbera.
We increased our vineyard holdings in 1991 with the purchase of the 200-acre Gill Creek Ranch, located in the Clements Hills sub-AVA, already planted to old vine Zinfandel and Chardonnay. We have since planted additional acreage of Merlot, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Most winemakers agree that great wines are made in the vineyard. To achieve this, Stephen J. Borra, a third-generation Lodi grower has developed an uncompromising viticulture program that began with site selection, followed by matching the soils with rootstalks that minimize vigor.
Row direction and trellising were designed to shade the fruiting zone during the hottest part of the day. Our annual program begins with cane pruning, followed by suckering, crop thinning, and minimal water usage. When verasion is complete, we are careful not to over water, and we remove any remaining green berries.
Steve walks the vineyards several times a week, eagerly awaiting the development of flavors and the softening of the tannins. When the grapes are determined to be at their optimum for harvest, they are carefully hand picked and sorted for selection of the very best.
Viognier
Rootstock: 5BB
Clone: Geneva
Acreage: 8.8 acres
The Viognier is grown on the Borra’s Gill Creek Ranch which sits within the Clements Hills sub-appellation of the Lodi Appellation and is nestled along the fertile north bank of the Mokelumne River and the Highland Bluff, in many ways resembling France’s Rhone Valley. The Viognier produces a complex spectrum of flavors from golden apple, apricot, citrus, banana and tropical fruits, finishing with a nectar texture and proportioned flavors of tangerine and apricot with a touch of green apple.
The vineyard is planted with 7×5 spacing, VSP cane pruned with 1,244 vines/acre.
Vermentino
Planted: 1999 then grafted from Viognier to Vermentino in 2012
Rootstock: 5BB
Clone: 01 NC
Acreage: 1.5 acres
The Vermentino is grown on the Borra’s Gill Creek Ranch which sits within the Clements Hills sub-appellation of the Lodi Appellation and is nestled along the fertile north bank of the Mokelumne River and the Highland Bluff.
The vineyard is planted with 7×5 spacing, VSP cane pruned with 1,244 vines/acre.
Chardonnay
Planted: 1972
Rootstock: Own
Clone: Delicato
Acreage: 31.3 acres
The Chardonnay is grown in the Gill Creek Ranch which is nestled in the Clements Hills sub-appellation of the Lodi Appellation. The low-yielding vineyard produces small clusters of tiny berries with an intense concentration of flavors. The wines produced from these vineyards are full of beautiful floral aromatics followed by an abundance of ripe melon, vanilla and spice. The palate is round and well integrated, with crisp acidity, full of elegance and fruit driven.
Barbera
Planted: 1972
Rootstock: Own
Clone: 01
Acreage: 10 acres
The old vine Barbera is grown in the Lodi Appellation surrounding the Winery’s Tasting Room. These vineyards produce a Barbera with vibrant fruit character, crisp acidity and soft velvety tannins; a great ruby red color followed by flavors of berry, rip plums, and black currants.
The vineyard is irrigated with sub-surface drip irrigation, planted with 9×6 spacing and on a bi-lateral trellis system. These vines only produce 3 tons to the acre.
Merlot
Planted: 1977
Rootstock: SO4
Clone:3
Acreage: 43.8 acres
12.1 acres of the Merlot vineyards are grown in the Lodi Appellation surrounding the Winery’s Tasting Room, and the other 31.7 acres are grown at the Borra’s Gill Creek Ranch which sits within the Clements Hill sub-appellation.
These vineyards produce a Merlot with dark fruits of plum and blackberry, medium bodied, round and delicious with sweet tannins and a smooth lingering finish.
Zinfandel
Planted: 1966
Rootstock: Own
Clone: Unknown
Acreage: 40.7 acres
The old vine Zinfandel vineyard is grown at the Borra’s Gill Creek Ranch overlooking the Mokelumne River, benefiting from its rich terroir. These vineyards produce a Zinfandel that is plumy, mouth-coating molasses that finishes with walnut, cedar and spicy anise.
Syrah
2006 Vintage
Planted: 2001
Rootstock: 420a &3309
Clone: 470 & 887
Acreage: 6 acres
The Syrah vineyards are grown on the Borra’s Gill Creek Ranch overlooking the Mokelumne River, benefiting from its rich terroir. These vineyards produce a Syrah rich in plum and cherry with tobacco leaves and a touch of pepperoni. These grapes produce a full-bodied wine with well rounded tannins.
The vineyard is on 6×5 spacing, VSP and cane pruned with sub-surface irrigation. There are 1,452 vines to the acre.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Planted: 2001
Rootstock: 420a
Clone: 337 & 191
Acreage: 6 acres
The Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are grown on the Borra’s Gill Creek Ranch overlooking the Mokelumne River, benefiting from its rich terroir. These vineyards produce a medium-bodied Cabernet with good balance, long finish, and soft, dusty tannins. The fruit offers a dark cherry and black berry with a hint of black currant. The wines produced are of good balance with plenty of intensity and complexity.
The vineyard is planted on 6×5 spacing, VSP and cane pruned with sub-surface drip irrigation.
