Sierra Wine & Grape Growers Association

Our Next Meeting…

Vineyard Expert at February Meeting

Rescheduled due to the weather, Cindy Fake will be our speaker at the February meeting. She is the University of California Cooperative Extension Horticulture and Small Farms Advisor and County Director for Placer & Nevada Counties.

The meeting will be at Ponderosa Hall at 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 20th. More details will follow before the meeting.

We’ll be fine tuning the specific topics to be discussed, but Cindy sent the following message:

Advanced Grapevine Irrigation Scheduling and Management Workshop

Feb 12, 2020

Please Save the Date for the ‘Advanced Irrigation Scheduling and Management Workshop’ on March 4, 2020. More details will follow soon.

We have internationally renowned scientists from Italy, Chile and the University of California Davis that will be delivering applicable information to vineyard owners, irrigation managers, water purveyors, irrigation district managers and winemakers. The workshop will be held at the UC Davis Activities and Recreation Center Ballroom (UC Davis ARC). Some highlights of the day-long program:

Pierce’s Disease: A Lethal Threat to California Winegrapes

Feb 5, 2020

Pierce’s disease (PD) is a lethal disease of grapevines and a serious threat to California’s thriving winegrape industry. The disease is caused by Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), a bacterial pathogen that has been present in California for more than a century. While many insects can spread Xf, the establishment and spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) in California in the 1980s and 1990s created a new and serious threat of significant statewide damage. For further information go to https://www.pdgwss.net/

Soil Health Symposium

Feb 3, 2020

3rd Annual Soil Health Symposium

Friday, March 13, 9 am-Noon, Sonoma County Farm Bureau, Santa Rosa

Hosted by the Sonoma and Gold Ridge Resource Conservation Districts and Sonoma County Winegrape Commission.

The free event will take place at the Sonoma County Farm Bureau in Santa Rosa on Friday, March 13th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please register in advance.

Education

Our monthly programs are a mix of educational and social gatherings with the aim of exploring all aspects of grape growing and winemaking. Most meetings are at the Nevada County Fairgrounds and combine technical and social elements.

Wine Tastings

Wine tastings and evaluations are an important part of our growth in developing our winemaking skills. In addition to meetings devoted specifically to tasting, we have casual sessions prior to our regular meetings.

Winery Visits

We have meetings at both commercial and our member home wineries and vineyards during the year. Seeing first-hand how others grow their grapes and make wine is a valuable part of our education.

Scholarships

Each year SWGGA awards a scholarship to a deserving highschool graduate pursuing a major in agriculture or the sciences. Funds for the scholarships are contributed by our members and friends.

Mentoring

Members of SWGGA are generous with their time and help each other with their winemaking and grape growing. New members, especially, are encouraged to ask questions.

Our Story

The Sierra Wine & Grape Growers Association

Originally founded in 1978, the Sierra Wine and Grape Growers Association represents home winemakers and the farmers and their families who grow grapes in Nevada County, and adjoining Yuba, Sierra and Placer Counties in California.

Our membership is open to all those who either own a vineyard, make wine, or are simply interested in wine and being a member of the organization.
Members are continually increasing their knowledge of viticultural practices in the northern Sierra Foothills to produce premium grapes for high quality wines.