Sangiacomo Family Vineyards is ‘Grower of the Year’
The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) has named Sangiacomo Family Vineyards of Sonoma County as its 2024 Grower of the Year.
“With a farming legacy that spans generations, the Sangiacomo family is recognized industry-wide for their pioneering spirit, commitment to sustainable practices, innovation, and community engagement,” said CAWG President Natalie Collins. “It’s an honor to recognize their contributions and celebrate their well-deserved title as Grower of the Year.”
The Grower of the Year Award is the highest honor bestowed by CAWG.
The Sangiacomo family has a rich history in the Sonoma Valley that spans more than five decades. With an agricultural heritage dating back to their ancestors in Genoa, Italy, multiple generations of the Sangiacomo family have worked the land for almost a century in Sonoma County.
In 1969, the Sangiacomo family planted their first wine grapes, playing a crucial role in re-establishing the Sonoma Valley as a renowned winegrowing region.
As third-generation farmers, Steve, Mike, and Mia have successfully taken over the family grape growing business from their father Angelo, Aunt Lorraine, and Uncles Buck and Bob. Their goal is to pass on their love for farming and their deep passion for the wine industry to the fourth generation of Sangiacomos, their combined seven children.
The Sangiacomo Family currently tends to more than 1,600 acres of vineyards in Sonoma County.
The Sangiacomo family not only holds a significant presence in Sonoma County, but also stand as trailblazers in terms of industry leadership. The family is highly engaged in their local community, and at the state level as an active CAWG member.
“It’s a true honor to be recognized as Grower of the Year. With prestigious recognitions like this, we can’t help but think fondly of the generation before us who began our grape growing story in Sonoma 54 years ago,” shared Mike, Steve, and Mia.
“Our dad, uncles, and aunt’s spirit and dedication to growing world-class wine grapes and creating a lasting family business are illuminated in this honor. We are proud to be grape growers along with so many other farmers in California as we all fight to preserve agriculture in our nation.”
CAWG will be hosting an Awards of Excellence Reception on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The reception will be held during the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, immediately following the welcome reception at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.
