Veteran Paso Robles Winemaker Takes Helm at Iconic Willow Creek District Estate
Paso Robles, CA (March 1, 2025) — Booker Vineyard today announced the hiring of Molly Lonborg as Senior Winemaker in charge of daily winemaking operations at this iconic estate in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles.
Lonborg’s appointment is the culmination of a 15-year winemaking career in Paso Robles with deep experience in crafting Rhône-style wines and practicing organic farming—two specialties that go to the heart of the Booker Vineyard experience.
“I have been consistently impressed with Molly’s work over many years,” said General Manager and Director of Winemaking Pete Turrone. “She is an earth sciences graduate whose vineyard expertise goes well beyond that of a typical winemaker, encompassing extensive experience in the organic and regenerative farming that we are so passionate about at Booker. Molly embodies the Booker culture through her unwavering commitment to excellence and scientific rigor, and her deep respect for traditional winemaking. She is a genuinely wonderful person whose radiant positivity and mentorship will be invaluable to our team.”
Lonborg will work closely with Turrone and Senior Vineyard Manager Hilary Graves to advance a storied winemaking program that is rooted in excellence, innovation and transparency. “I was drawn to Booker because the wines, the terroir and the people are incredible,” Lonborg said. “The farming ethos is a perfect fit, and the culture is one of continual collaboration and experimentation. It’s an incredible foundation to build upon and an exciting challenge to see where we can go next. Freshness, elegance and terroir will remain the focus.”
A native of Mendocino in Northern California, Lonborg graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Earth Sciences and a concentration in Wine and Viticulture. After gaining experience at two local wineries, she joined Halter Ranch in Paso Robles in 2011 and rose through the ranks to the position of Associate Winemaker. In 2020, Lonborg took the head winemaker position at Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery in Paso Robles, where she became renowned for producing dynamic Rhône-style wines with a passion for clean farming and for combining technical precision with artistic flair.
Lonborg lives on a ranch in Paso Robles with her husband, Regenerative Vineyard Consultant Jordan Lonborg, and their two children. Their family interests include camping, travel, raising pigs and growing organic crops.
“I’ve had the pleasure to walk vineyards and purchase fruit from Molly during the past 15 years, and I knew early on that she was going to be a star in Paso Robles and throughout the wine world as a true vigneron,” said Booker Founder Eric Jensen. “Her vineyard acumen was stellar, and I was equally impressed when we started comparing early notes on phenolics. Molly is a great human, a wonderful wife and mother, and a true standout in the world of winemaking.”
About Booker Vineyard & Winery
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®. Visit BookerWines.com.
