The People Behind the Wine
Many years ago, while Stewart Boedecker and Athena Pappas were dating, they fell in love—not just with each other, but with the elegance and nuance of Pinot Noir. When they married, they brought their two true loves together and founded Boedecker Cellars in 2003.
What began as a 400-case production in Oregon’s first shared-use winery in Carlton has grown into a 5,500-case, winemaker-owned operation. Today, Stewart and Athena craft their wines in a refurbished 1956 warehouse in the heart of Northwest Portland—just a stone’s throw from downtown and less than an hour from the vineyards they work closely with.
At Boedecker Cellars, we are singularly focused on crafting expressive, age-worthy Willamette Valley Pinot Noir—from vineyard to bottle. We collaborate deeply with a select group of vineyard partners, working hands-on throughout the growing season to ensure the fruit reflects the quality, farming practices, and site expression we believe in.
Now fully dedicated to winemaking, Stewart and Athena bring a thoughtful, low-intervention approach to every vintage. And when you visit our urban winery and tasting room, chances are you’ll find them right where they belong—in the cellar, doing what they love.
Stewart Boedecker
Founding Winemaker
Stewart is a lover of classic Oregon Pinot Noir—aromatically expressive, red-fruited, and brimming with nuance. He’s drawn to wines with structure, complexity, and the ability to evolve for years. His fascination with Pinot began in 1992, when he made his first wine at Cornell University.
In Oregon, Stewart volunteered at several respected wineries in exchange for hands-on experience, then studied winemaking at UC Davis and Chemeketa Community College. Alongside Athena, he co-founded Boedecker Cellars in 2003.
Now fully focused on winemaking after retiring from his day job, Stewart brings thoughtful precision and enduring passion to every vintage—still as devoted to Pinot as the day he first began.
Athena Pappas
Founding Winemaker
Athena is drawn to the tension and transparency of Pinot Noir—how its depth and delicacy, when handled with care, can reveal so much. A native Portlander with Greek roots, Athena studied winemaking at both UC Davis and Chemeketa Community College, though she’s most at home hands-on in the cellar: climbing barrels, stirring wines, and driving the forklift.
For Athena, winemaking is more than a passion—it’s part of who she is. With each vintage, she brings her curiosity, intuition, and deep respect for the grape to every barrel she touches.
Our Winemaking Community
Over the years, we’ve grown a tight-knit community of passionate, slightly wine-obsessed individuals—each one bringing a little chaos, a lot of heart, and a deep love for Pinot Noir.
While Stewart and Athena lead the winemaking, they don't do it alone. If we handed out titles, Stewart would be our Enologist, Winemaker, and Vineyard Manager, while Athena would be Winemaker and GM. Our Cellar Master wears many hats and keeps the rhythm flowing, especially during harvest.
And when it’s time to bring in the fruit, it becomes a full-on team effort. Friends, family, and an incredible crew of community members roll up their sleeves to take part in the joy (and serious hard work!) of making wine.
Proud Members of
