Meet the Winemaker: Athena Pappas of Boedecker Cellars

The PDX Urban Winery Club box for October 2026 includes Boedecker Cellars’ Still Life sparkling rosé. Hear from winemaker Athena Pappas about how she and her partner, Stewart Boedecker got into wine, and what makes this bottle so special.

How did you get into winemaking?

It started with curiosity. We love wine, we love cooking, creating and growing: could we make a wine that we actually loved? And would anyone else love it, too? Turns out, we could, and they did! But somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the process itself. From tasting grapes in the vineyard to climbing barrels and stirring lees in the cellar, I discovered how much I loved the hands-on work of making wine. And that moment when you finally taste the finished wine? Still one of the best feelings in the world.

What's distinctive about your style or approach?

We love making wines that are delicious without being complicated. For Still Life Rosé, we brought Pinot Noir and Chardonnay together because we wanted to create something fresh, lively, yet full of flavor and with just a little sparkle. This is a wine for every day, because weekdays deserve good wine too.

What food would you pair with it?

Everything from rich, creamy French cheeses to a big bowl of popcorn showered with freshly grated Parmesan. It's equally at home at a dinner party or on the couch for binge watching your fave show.

When you're not drinking your own wine, what's in your glass?

Champagne is a fave, and I have a serious soft spot for German whites. But really, I love beautifully made wines of any variety, from anywhere in the world. And I love a solid pizza wine, something delicious and easy. Because sometimes a good glass of wine and a slice (or 3) of pizza are really all you need.