President's Corner
Welcome to our Website! If you are a veteran winemaker, or you are new to the hobby, I am sure you will find the Central Coast Home Vintners’ Association a knowable and engaging group of home winemakers. With over 100 active members in our club, and an activity planned for every month of the year, it is easy for you to meet people and get involved. So take a little time to explore our website…….
In the About Us section, you can read our 5-point mission statement and learn about the history of the CCHVA. Find out how 13 newbie winemakers banded together to help each other learn the craft. Discover how we volunteered to run the home wine judging competition for the Santa Barbara County Fair and how well our members have done in this competition. Learn about the grape buying co-op and how you can source grapes with fellow club members to make you own wine.
Speaking about the Grape Buying Co-op, this is an excellent opportunity to source high quality grapes from local vineyards. Last year our members bought over 16,000 pounds of grapes from 36 different varieties. That makes over 4000 bottles of wine! You can see why I say we are a knowable and engaging group. Perhaps you have your own vineyard and are you interested in tips to better farm your own grapes. Well, we have over a dozen members who are just like you. I personally have learned a lot about farming from visiting fellow member’s vineyards.
As far as other activities go, you can visit the Members -> Events section of this website and see all the activities we have to offer throughout the year. Spring time has wine evaluation seminars and “tips from the pro’s” sessions at local wineries. Summertime has our wine judging event, a new winemaker’s seminar at the Santa Maria Library, and our summer picnic. In the fall, we will do a cellar tour, Pizza night, and Harvest. Winter is capped with our annual membership meeting at the Avila Yacht Club. Just about every event involves the enjoyment of great wines, sharing of ideas, and an appreciation of all the hobby has to offer.
If you still have questions, you can go to the Contact Us section and our membership chairman or I will be happy to answer them. Otherwise, download and fill out the membership form, mail it with a check for $40 to our PO Box and get yourself involved! You will be very glad you did.
Fred Carbone
CCHVA President
In the About Us section, you can read our 5-point mission statement and learn about the history of the CCHVA. Find out how 13 newbie winemakers banded together to help each other learn the craft. Discover how we volunteered to run the home wine judging competition for the Santa Barbara County Fair and how well our members have done in this competition. Learn about the grape buying co-op and how you can source grapes with fellow club members to make you own wine.
Speaking about the Grape Buying Co-op, this is an excellent opportunity to source high quality grapes from local vineyards. Last year our members bought over 16,000 pounds of grapes from 36 different varieties. That makes over 4000 bottles of wine! You can see why I say we are a knowable and engaging group. Perhaps you have your own vineyard and are you interested in tips to better farm your own grapes. Well, we have over a dozen members who are just like you. I personally have learned a lot about farming from visiting fellow member’s vineyards.
As far as other activities go, you can visit the Members -> Events section of this website and see all the activities we have to offer throughout the year. Spring time has wine evaluation seminars and “tips from the pro’s” sessions at local wineries. Summertime has our wine judging event, a new winemaker’s seminar at the Santa Maria Library, and our summer picnic. In the fall, we will do a cellar tour, Pizza night, and Harvest. Winter is capped with our annual membership meeting at the Avila Yacht Club. Just about every event involves the enjoyment of great wines, sharing of ideas, and an appreciation of all the hobby has to offer.
If you still have questions, you can go to the Contact Us section and our membership chairman or I will be happy to answer them. Otherwise, download and fill out the membership form, mail it with a check for $40 to our PO Box and get yourself involved! You will be very glad you did.
Fred Carbone
CCHVA President