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 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-wining 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
Since 1978, the Sierra Wine & Grape Growers Association (SWGGA) has united grape growers, winemakers, and wine enthusiasts throughout the Sierra Foothills.
From home winemakers to experienced vintners, our members share a passion for learning, experimentation, and the craft of winemaking. We believe each bottle reflects not just the fruit, but the choices and creativity behind it. Great wine is defined by expression—of place, season, and the winemaker’s hand.
At its heart, SWGGA is about participation: sharing knowledge, learning by doing, and carrying the tradition forward, one vintage at a time.
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
August 20, 2026
Winemaking Additives: From Crush Pad to Bottling
Learn what to add, when to add it, and why it matters. Join us for a practical walkthrough of the additives, nutrients, enzymes, fining agents, and stabilizers used throughout the winemaking process.
Gate Opens: 6:15 PM: Social
Location: Ponderosa Hall, Nevada County Fairgrounds
URGENT GROWER ALERT: Vine Mealybug - Check Your Clusters Now
Vine mealybug can contaminate grape clusters with honeydew and sooty mold and can spread grapevine leafroll-associated viruses. Growers should watch for white, waxy insects on trunks, cordons and clusters, along with sticky honeydew, black sooty mold and unusual ant activity.
Flag suspected vines and avoid moving contaminated equipment between vineyard blocks.
Image: Courtesy of UC IPM
NEWSLETTER
The Trellis Wire
Our monthly newsletter keeps you up to date on meetings, vineyard practices, and community news across the foothills.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Grapes For Sale
The 2026 harvest is early and local winte grpes are available now! Checkout the marketplace for availablle grapes and grower contact information.
Nevada County Fair — Aug. 12–16, 2026
Good luck to our SWGGA members who have entered wines in this year’s Nevada County Fair!
SWGGA Updates Privacy and Photo Policy
Our Privacy and Photo Policy has been updated. Visit the Announcements page to learn more.
Gewürztraminer Group Buy Now Open!
Make wine from the same fruit as fellow members and compare the results! Grapes are available through SWGGA member Dave Elliott.
Introduction to Winemaking
Commercial winemaker Guy Lauterbach is once again offering his Introduction to Winemaking class at Gray Pine Vineyard & Winery.
Annual Business Meeting & Board Elections — November
Want to get more involved? Opportunities are available in events, communications, logistics, programming, and more. Step up and join the fun!
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & SUPPORT
Investing in the Future.
Supporting Our Community.
SWGGA is proud to support the next generation of agriculture professionals and partner iwth local schools to uild 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 winemaker. 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
Summer
In the Vineyard& Cellar
- Canopy Management
- Irrigation
- Fruit Development
Member Marketplace
A place to connect with equipmnet, service and opportunity within the Sierra Foothills wine community.
Equipment & Supplies For Sale
Equipment, tools barrels, bins, trellis materials, and other pratical 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 evaluatin nights helped me understand balance adn avoid some common faults in my early vintages.”
INDEPENDENT WINEMAKER
“SWGGA meeting 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.
COMMERCIALL WINEMAKER
Join the
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 impact 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.