Sierra Wine & Grape Growers Association
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.
Latest News and Notices…
UC Davis: Establishing and Managing a Small Vineyard
UC Davis: Learn to establish and manage profitable small vineyards with in-depth instruction and hands-on learning in this workshop designed for the grape grower, winemaker, viticulturist and apprentice viticulturist in the heart of Napa Valley at our Oakville Experiment Station.
read moreUC Davis: Fermentation Readiness Program
UC Davis V&E Extension will host an On-Campus Fermentation Readiness program in the Sensory Theater at The Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science. It will cover harvest and fermentation decisions from the vineyard to the winery. Presentations will include vineyard decisions, getting your winery ready for harvest and how, when and what to measure in the winery laboratory.
read moreGrapes Wanted – Malbec, Barbera
Bernie Zimmerman is looking for locally grown Barbera and/or Malbec grapes for sale.
read moreWhat SWGGA Does...
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.
If you'd like to become a member of SWGGA, please download an application...