Borra Vineyards is set in the beautiful rolling hills south of Lodi.  The estate has been in the family for over 100 years, with the first grape vines planted by the current owner’s grandfather, Giuseppe Manassero.  The Borra family decided to make wine commercially, and in 1975 the winery was bonded. Borra Vineyards is set in the beautiful rolling hills south of Lodi.  The farm has been in the family for over 100 years with the first grape vines planted by the current owner’s grandfather, Giuseppe Manassero.  The Borra family decided to make wine commercially, and in 1975 the winery was bonded.  

The estate owns two different vineyards which are located in two separate Lodi AVAs. The first, Carru Vineyard, is in Central Lodi and been farmed by the family over 100 years. Carru was replanted to Barbera in 1972. The 200 acre Gill Creek Ranch, located in Clements Hills, was purchased by the family in 1992. This vineyard is located near the Mokelumne River where it receives the cooling effect of the river and Delta breeze off of the Delta. Gill Creek Ranch is planted to Chardonnay, Merlot, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel.

The vineyards on the north bank of the Mokelumne River are on the receiving end of just a little extra cooling from the Delta breeze, thus allowing the grapes just a little more hang time. This creates wines with more complexity and depth of flavor. The Zinfandel wines come from vines that are over 40 years old., which creates a wine of big fruit wrapped in great spice with a soft smoky toastiness.

The winemaker at Borra, Stephen Borra, started home winemaking in 1967 with Barbera and Carignane.   He works with consulting winemaker Craig Becker who studied at UC Davis.