SIERRA
WINE & GRAPE GROWERS
ASSOCIATION
Explore the craft of winemaking – learn alongside growers and winemakers, find your place in the process, and discover what truly defines a well-made wine.
A Tradition of Craft, Community & Excellence
SWGGA Members Shine at the
California State Fair!
Congratulations to the skill, dedication and award-winning wines crafted by Sierra Foothill home winemakers.
Double Gold
2
Medals
Gold Award
8
Medals
Silver Award
15
Medals
Bronze AWARD
6
Medals
AWARD-WINNING HOME WINEMAKING STARTS HERE
LEARN
Real-world vineyard and winemaking insights shaped by Sierra Foothills conditions.
CRAFT
Techniques that produce award-winning wines and strengthen the future of Sierra Foothill winemaking.
COMMUNITY
A welcoming group built around the craft of winemaking and grape growing – where regular gatherings, shared experiences, and social traditions bring people together, and lasting relationships grow naturally over time.
A Tradition of Craft, Community & Excellence
SWGGA Members Shine at the
California State Fair!
Congratulations to the skill, dedication and award-winning wines crafted by Sierra Foothill home winemakers.
Double Gold
2
Medals
Gold Award
8
Medals
Silver Award
15
Medals
Bronze AWARD
6
Medals
AWARD-WINNING HOME WINEMAKING STARTS HERE
LEARN
Hands-on education from experienced growers and winemakers.
CRAFT
Techniques that produce award-winning wines.
COMMUNITY
A welcoming group passionate about viticulture and winemaking.
MEET SOME OF THIS YEAR'S MEDAL WINNERS
Dave Elliott
DOUBLE GOLD
2023
Syrah/Petite Sirah
Pam Bothello
DOUBLE GOLD
2024
Barbera
Bill Betts
GOLD
2023, & 2024
Barbera & Petite Sirah
Winning starts with learning, grows with community, and lasts a lifetime.
COMMERCIAL WINEMAKER SPOTLIGHT
Guy Lauterbach
SWGGA Member • Commercial Winemaker
Gray Pine Vineyard & Winery
Penn Valley, California
DOUBLE GOLD
2023
Cabernet Sauvignon
GOLD
2023
Bordeaux Style Blend
About Us
Taste Beyond the Familiar
Since 1978, SWGGA has brought together growers, winemakers, and wine lovers throughout the Sierra Foothills.
Beyond familiar labels lies another world of wine—made in small lots, shaped by individual vineyards, and created by people free to explore and experiment.
Our members include winegrape growers, small-production wineries, home winemakers, and wine enthusiasts who share a passion for learning and discovery. We believe every bottle expresses more than the fruit; it reflects the place, the season, and the creativity of the winemaker.
At its heart, SWGGA is about participation—sharing knowledge, learning by doing, and carrying the tradition forward. Here, wine becomes more than something you buy. It becomes a discovery, an adventure, and a connection to the land and the people who make it.
WHAT WE DO TOGETHER
Learn. Connect.
Carry the Tradition Forward
From monthly gatherings to hands-on workshops, we bring growers, winemakers, and wine lovers together to share knowledge and preserve the tradition for generations to come.
Monthly
Gatherings
Open to the public, our monthly gatherings bring members and guests together for guest speakers, guided tastings, and lively conversation—exploring vineyard management and winemaking through both science and tradition.
Non-member guests are welcome for a $5 donation; gatherings are included with membership.
Vineyard
Tours
Members and their guests enjoy exclusive access to private vineyard tours hosted at select properties not open to the public.
Guided walks explore the seasonal life cycle of the vines and hands-on farming practices, offering a deeper connection to the vineyard—and to the wine in the glass.
Winemaking
Workshops
Small-group workshops offer hands-on experience in key stages of winemaking—from fermentation and yeast to racking and bottling.
Participants learn the practical side of the craft in a collaborative, interactive setting, sharing knowledge and experience along the way.
Social
Events
From our annual BBQ to our holiday celebration and wine tastings throughout the year, members come together to relax, connect, and build lasting friendships.
Even our guided tastings are both social and educational—deepening understanding of wine, from balance and structure to aroma and flavor.
A Community Rooted in Knowledge and a Passion for Wine
Whether you’re growing, making, or simply enjoying wine, SWGGA offers a place to learn, build friendships, and deepen your appreciation of the craft.
Community Bulletin Board
Meeting, Newsletters, and Member Updates
NEXT MEETING
November 19, 2026
Annual Membership Meeting
& Surprise Wine Tasting
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Join us for SWGGA’s Annual Membership Meeting and the election of officers and directors for 2027. Members in good standing may vote, with one vote permitted per household membership. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor.
After the business meeting, stay for a surprise wine-tasting game! We’ll provide the wine and score sheets—you bring your palate and sense of adventure.
Social Hour: 6:15 p.m.
Annual Meeting: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Ponderosa Hall, Nevada County Fairgrounds
What to Bring
Please bring wine and a snack to share, three wine glasses—four if you have them—and a pen.
🎄 Save the Date! SWGGA Holiday Party
The holiday season is just around the corner, and it’s time to mark your calendars for the SWGGA Holiday Party!
Join your fellow SWGGA members for an evening of good food, great company, and holiday cheer as we celebrate another wonderful year together.
Where: Ponderosa Hall
5:00 PM: Appetizers and Socializing
6:00 PM: Holiday Buffet
We’re still putting the finishing touches on the celebration, so stay tuned for more information, including the menu, pricing, and reservation details.
For now, save the date — we look forward to celebrating with you!
NEWSLETTER
The Trellis Wire
Our monthly newsletter keeps you up to date on meetings, vineyard practices, and community news across the foothills.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fresh Local Grape are Here!
The 2026 harvest is underway, and locally grown wine grapes are now available. Visit the SWGGA Marketplace for current listings and contact growers directly for availability and details.
SWGGA Privacy and Photo Policy Updated
SWGGA has updated its Privacy and Photo Policy. Visit the Announcements page to review the latest information.
Get Involved: Annual Business Meeting & Board Elections — November
Our Annual Business Meeting and Board Elections are coming in November! Help shape SWGGA’s future while connecting with fellow members. Opportunities are available in events, communications, logistics, programming, and more—step up, get involved, and join the fun!
Discover What’s Next in Wine and Viticulture
Save the dates for the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, January 26–28, 2027, in Sacramento. Explore new vineyard and winery technologies, learn about emerging industry trends, and connect with growers, winemakers, researchers, and suppliers from across the industry.
Something You Need May Be Waiting!
New items have arrived in the SWGGA Marketplace! Take a look—you may find just what you need for your vineyard, winery, or cellar. Have something to sell? Let us know, and we’ll help you list it!
Member Resources Updated!
Explore recent and past educational presentations, calculators, reference tables, planning tools, and the 2025 Grape Crush Report—all in one convenient location.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & SUPPORT
Investing in the Future.
Supporting Our Community.
SWGGA is proud to support the next generation of agriculture professionals and partner with local schools to build a stronger, more sustainable future.
Scholarship
Program
Each year, SWGGA awards scholarships to local high school students who are pursuing careers in agriculture. We believe in supporting bright futures and cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Nevada Union Joint High School District Vineyard Project
SWGGA provides technical support to the vineyard at The School Ranch—an 86-acre working farm and agricultural training center serving students from Nevada Union Joint High School District and Bear River High School.
SWGGA Seasonal Almanac
Resources for Growers & Winemakers
Season by season guidance for grape growers and winemakers. Practical tips, reminders, insights and resources to help you succeed in the vineyard and cellar.
Working Together
From support in wine chemistry, lab coordination, and fermentation decisions to guidance on soil health, irrigation, vine nutrition, and petiole analysis, we support each other through every season of the grape growing journey.
Questions about the vineyard or winemaking?
Contact SWGGA for information about educational resources, events, and member programs.
Current Season
Harvest
In the Vineyard & Cellar
- Picking Decisions
- Crush & Fermentation
- Timing & Weather
Member Marketplace
A place to connect with equipment, service and opportunity within the Sierra Foothills wine community.
Equipment & Supplies For Sale
Equipment, tools, barrels, bins, trellis materials, and other practical needs.
Local Grapes to Buy or Sell
Buy or sell grapes, or connect with others for larger purchases.
Service/Service Requests
Connecting members through winemaking services, collaboration, shared resources, analytical support, and opportunities.
Looking to post or browse listings?
What Our Members Say
Voices from the Sierra Foothills wine community
“The wine evaluation nights helped me understand balance and avoid some common faults in my early vintages.”
INDEPENDENT WINEMAKER
“SWGGA meetings are where growers and winemakers share what works. The vineyard walks alone are worth joining.”
NEVADA COUNTY GRAPE GROWER
“What makes SWGGA special is the willingness of people to help one another. It’s a wonderful community.”
COMMERCIAL WINEMAKER
Join The
Community
Whether you’re growing grapes, making wine, or simply passionate about the craft, SWGGA offers a place to learn, connect, and be part of something lasting.
Help Preserve the Tradition
FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
Join today and be part of the Sierra Foothills wine community.
Membership Benefits
Educational Seminars
By consultants and product representatives to help you grow your knowledge and skills.
Classes and Practical Education
On winemaking, pruning, pest identification, and other important topics.
Important Information
From government agencies and industry partners that affect our community.
Social Events
Including wine tours, competitions, barbecues, holiday gatherings, and the annual meeting.
Networking Opportunities
With Sierra Foothills winemakers, grape growers, and vineyard owners.
Access to Mentors
Guidance and support from experienced members who have been there.
Annual Dues: $65
A small investment in our community and our future.
Sierra Wine & Grape Growers Association
EDUCATION • RESOURCES • COMMUNITY
© 2025 Sierra Wine & Grape Growers Association. All Rights Reserved.