SWGGA
2026 Event Calendar
Updated regularly • Member-driven • Foothills-focused.
Events, workshops and gatherings for our wine community
UPCOMING EVENTS
PAST EVENTS
JAN
15
THUR
Monthly Meeting
Ponderosa Hall, Nevada County Fairgrounds
6:15PM Social – 7PM Meeting
Finding Balance: An interactive tasting focused on how acidity and tannin influence balance, texture, and overall wine character. Participants will compare wines with varying levels of acidity and tannin to discover how these elements influence mouthfeel, flavor perception, food-pairing potential, and aging characteristics—and how winemakers use these components to craft balanced wines.
FEB
19
THUR
Cancelled
Field Trip – Red Paws Vineyard (Chicago Park)
6:15PM Social – 7PM Meeting
Rescheduled due to weather.
MAR
19
THUR
Monthly Meeting
Ponderosa Hall, Nevada County Fairgrounds
6:15PM Social – 7PM Meeting
So You Want to Grow Grapes: JThinking about planting a vineyard or adding a few grapevines to your property? Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring experienced growers who will share their successes, mistakes, and lessons learned from years in the vineyard. Topics will include site selection, variety choices, vineyard establishment, irrigation, pest and disease management.
APR
16
THUR
Monthly Meeting
Ponderosa Hall, Nevada County Fairgrounds
6:15PM Social – 7PM Meeting
What Should I Do With My Next Wine: Winemaker Emeritus Mark Foster and certified wine judge and sommelier Jackson Starr will lead the tasting, evaluating each wine and offering guidance on next steps. Participants will taste along in real time—so you can form your own conclusions. It’s an engaging, hands-on way to think through winemaking decisions and learn your options..
MAY
21
THUR
Vineyard Walk & Talk
Field Trip – Red Paws Vineyard (Chicago Park)
5:00PM – 7:30PM
Join us for a unique walk-and-talk experience in the vineyard, where participants will have the opportunity to see grape growing practices firsthand while discussing vineyard management with an experienced grower. The program will also include a formal presentation on canopy management, one of the most important tools available to vineyard managers..
JUN
14
THUR
Members BBQ & Picnic
Schafer’s Recrecation Area
5 PM Members and Guests
Burgers and Blends. Summer fun, tasty wines and yummy foods. Meet this year’s recipient of the SWGGA Scholarship Award. Meet the Manager of the Nevada Joint Union High School District Project – The Farm.
JUL
16
THUR
Monthly Meeting
Ponderosa Hall, Nevada County Fairgrounds
6:15PM Social – 7PM Meeting
One Vineyard, Many Winemakers: Last year, SWGGA coordinated a group grape purchase that gave multiple winemakers the opportunity to craft Chardonnay from the same vineyard source. The result? A fascinating showcase of how different winemaking styles, techniques, and decisions can shape the character of a wine. Join us as we taste, compare, and discuss Chardonnays side-by-side.
AUG
20
THUR
Monthly Meeting
Ponderosa Hall, Nevada County Fairgrounds
6:15PM Social – 7PM Meeting
Winemaking Additives: From Crush Pad to Bottling
Every harvest brings the same question: Which winemaking additives should I use—and when? Learn what to add, when to add it, and why it matters. We’ll explore the nutrients, enzymes, fining agents, stabilizers, and other tools that help guide fermentation, protect your wine, and improve the quality of the finished product—from crush pad to bottling.
SEP
10
THUR
Monthly Meeting
Ponderosa Hall, Nevada County Fairgrounds
6:15PM Social – 7PM Meeting
An Evening with Award-Winning Winemakers
Join SWGGA for a special evening celebrating seven of our region’s top gold-medal-winning winemakers from the California State Fair and Nevada County Fair! Guests will have the opportunity to taste an outstanding selection of award-winning wines while hearing the stories behind each winemaker’s favorite bottle—from the vineyard and vintage to the inspiration, challenges, and craftsmanship that brought the wine to life. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the winemakers and discover what it takes to create a gold-medal wine!
OCT
8
THUR
Vineyard Tour
5 PM Start Time
Field Trip to Frescas Vineyard
Our SWGGA meeting will take us into the vineyard for a special field trip to Frescas Vineyard. The evening will feature a short, but exciting presentation about grapevine grafting and how this valuable technique can be used to change varieties, rejuvenate a vineyard, and meet new growing goals. Members are encouraged to bring an appetizer to share as we enjoy an informative and sociable evening among the vines, weather permitting.
NOV
19
THUR
Business Meeting
Ponderosa Hall, Nevada County Fairgrounds
6:15PM Social – 7PM Meeting
The November meeting is always our annual business meeting where we elect the Officers and Board of Directors for the coming year. The Social Hour begins at 6:15. Please bring a bottle of wine to share. The meeting starts at 7:00. Attend and vote.
DEC
10
THUR
Holiday Party
Ponderosa Hall, Nevada County Fairgrounds
6:00PM – 9:00 PM
Festivities. Good Cheer. Tidings. And maybe a little wine (research puropses of course). All details to follow.
Have questions?
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