Doug Olson was born and raised in Queens, New York. After a decade of work as a FB director and sales in NYC, Doug moved to California to begin working in Napa and Sonoma County cellars. Doug moved to Bordeaux, France, to earn a Masters of Science in Viticulture and Enology from both Bordeaux Sciences Agro, a Grande Ecole (part of the French elite equivalent of the American Ivy League), as well as one from the Institute des Sciences du Vigne et du Vin, one of the country’s leading wine research centers. Doug has worked at wineries in Rioja, Spain, and Sicily, as well as a consultant for developing properties in Mallorca, Spain.

Doug is excited to be part of Northern Michigan and share his “old world” approach towards producing wines. He plans on leveraging his global experience and expertise to reveal the true identity and potential of Michigan-grown wines. 

Doug's first vintage in Northern Michigan begins in 2022

Doug Olson

Winemaker

A small boutiique Winery and Vineyard nestled in the rolling hills of Leelanau County, our wines are 100% estate grown and bottled from grapes including Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  We recently upgraded our Winery and hired a Bordeaux educated Winemaker to help produce as good as red wine as is capable in our Northern Michigan climate.   We have an off-site Tasting Room in the Village of Lake Leelanau and on the water - boaters welcome.

Boathouse Vineyards

United States

Winemakers

Doug Olson

Winemaker