It was a serendipitous St. Helena visit more than 20 years ago that led John Boich to purchase a piece of raw Napa Valley land. The former San Francisco financier strolled down Main St. after a leisurely lunch and paused in front of a real estate office. An hour later, he was standing on a scenic Mt. Veeder parcel which he ultimately purchased. He spent the next eight years, one Saturday at a time, working the land and planting a vineyard. Today, his Boich Family Cellar is a dream fulfilled. The under-the-radar Napa Valley gem produces 2400 cases annually of highly regarded Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon made from some of Napa and Sonoma’s most iconic heritage vineyards.
With ambition to make not just good wines but those worthy of a world stage, Boich’s assemblage of vineyard sources includes legendary To Kalon, Georges III and Missouri Hopper vineyards, Sonoma’s Ritchie Vineyard, as well as his own three-acre, 1850 foot elevation estate Wall Road Vineyard and Wall Road Terrace, the steep estate vineyard that he originally planted by hand from which he and head winemaker Jeff Ames produce a nearly secret 25 cases that he shares with a few lucky wine lovers.
Due to limited production, Boich utilizes an allocation model, yet there are always two wines available for purchase on his website until they are sold out, and anyone who purchases wine or schedules a tasting experience is added to the member list for future allocation offers.
By-appointment tastings of Boich wines are personalized and take place at Hunnicutt Wine Cave, Brix Restaurant, The Charter Oak, or the Boich Family Cellar Estate. Tasting at the Estate is more than a winetasting; it’s a private invitation from John himself. Activities range from culinary explorations, to live musical performances, to private tours and tastings from John’s personal wine cellar.
John’s once impractical dream has become a fully realized success. Today, he is joined by partners Jnani Matson and Ed Kuchar as he takes Boich Family Cellar to the next level. Together, they look forward to welcoming new wine lovers to the Boich family. “We are not just making world class wines,” said John. “We are making life’s most memorable moments by living every day on a path with a vision. Join us on our journey, share our dream and enjoy our amazing wines.”