About Us   

The Shasta-Cascade Viticulture Association is in its youthful fifth year.  Formed by a number of grape growers in Shasta County.  They envisioned an association that could tap into the resources of the University of California Agricultural Extension service, to help educate grape growers and wine making enthusiasts. 

Shasta-Cascade Viticulture Association was formed in 2003 as a nonprofit organization and is a member of the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG). SCVA is the largest grape grower association in California Region 9. The Region sits like a keystone at the crown of the north state. And yes, we are growing!

Since that beginning, the Association has undergone several name changes but remains steadfast to its goal to bring grape industry experts to various symposiums and hands-on workshops each year to discuss trends in wine grape growing, marketing, cultural growing practices, wine making, etc.  The Shasta-Cascade Viticulture Association has grown in membership through word of mouth and that comradeship which bring grape growers together, such as the common threats of Spring frost, battling pests and diseases, and finding buyers for their grapes.

A unique character of the grape growers in our Northern California area is who the growers are.  By far, the largest number of grape growers are retired or growing grapes after a first career.  Many members are retired college professors, school teachers, oral surgeon, building contractors, military, and practicing M.D. and dentists, and a host of other career experiences.  In some way, this group is unique in its makeup of ‘gentlemen and gentlewomen farmers’ who have advanced themselves past their first careers and gone back to the soil in pursuit of lifelong dreams of digging in the dirt and making something special grow.

Almost all of the Association grower members’ are small in size by California wine grape standards.  A large vineyard in our area is about ten acres.  Many members have less than five acres in production.  Our geographic area includes members from Oroville to Montague and Fall River to Trinity Center all generally within the shadow of Mount Shasta but within that area are at least 23 established wineries producing award winning wines for consumption by local wine enthusiasts.  

This geographic area has diverse climatology and elevation -- from the valley floor to oak clad foothills of the Cascade and Coast Ranges and the high desert climate affected by rain shadow and cloudless growing days.  The varieties of grapes grown also are diverse.  Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, and many other fine red wine grapes do quite well in our region.  And in the white grapes: Chardonnay, Colombard, Chenin blanc, Viognier, Riesling, Muscat, and other prominent varieties also thrive.  Our north end of the Sacramento Valley of California is noted for its summer heat and sunny days which favors grape growing, and our cool nights add to the complexity of the grapes that develop.

There will be a member cooperative buying initiative developed so small scale grower members can pool their buying power for such things as bird netting. And where grapes can be advertised for sale as harvest approaches to hook up growers with wine grape buyers.  There will be a calendar of events to allow members and others interested to see what future educational events are planned.  Additionally through that web site, one will be able to link to the California Association of Wine-grape Growers which has further links to other wine grape associations statewide.

 

Shasta-Cascade Viticulture Assn.

Palo Cedro CA 96073
(530)226-9021
Greg Butler, President

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