Grower: Warren Bogle

Growing Region: Clarksburg

It’s a wonder any work gets done in a place as beautiful as the Sacramento Delta, with its sleepy towns and oak-studded roads tracing a web of waterways and interlocking islands. But Warren Bogle of Bogle Vineyards is proof that there’s more to delta life than catching crawdads. His family has been farming the same vineyards for three generations, a point of pride for Warren and the reason he takes stewardship of the land so seriously.

“We’re always aware that you’ve got to do the right things for the future generations,” explains Warren. “My grandpa farmed the same ground, my dad farmed the same ground, I farm it now, and hopefully if my son wants to farm he’ll farm the same ground.”

His favorite variety to grow? “Petite Sirah and Sauvignon Blanc, because I love to drink them. Petite’s a real challenging variety to grow, so that’s fun, and it’s one of our flagship varieties.”

Warren returned to Clarksburg from CSU Chico to run the vineyard following the death of his father, an improbable sacrifice if not for his mother’s vote of confidence. “To my mom’s credit, she put a lot of faith in me turning over 1,000 acres to a 21-year-old,” says Warren. “I came back because I couldn’t see hiring someone to do a job I’d wanted to do all along.”

Warren is quick to give credit where it’s due. “Our dedicated employees are the key to our success. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we’re at today.”

Running a vineyard can be grueling, but Warren doesn’t take the work for granted. “We’re very fortunate to be in the business we’re in. Everyone in my family, we love what we do. It’s not really a job, it’s a lifestyle.”