Cotta Vineyard Management and Consulting exemplifies the Cotta family's three-quarter century commitment to wine quality and success.  Cotta Properties was founded in1925 by Joe Cotta Sr. He immigrated from the Azcores Islands near Portugal and arrived in New York with 12 dollars in his pocket.  He bought a loaf of bread, a train ticket to California, put the rest in the church offering plate, and prayed that hard work along with God's grace would allow him to provide for his family. Both him and his son Joe M. Cotta Jr. created many successful years of growing wine grapes and other agricultural commodities throughout California, Joe Cotta Sr.'s three grandsons also pursued separate ventures, which now consist of Baywood Cellars, Joe A. Cotta Vineyards, and James A. Cotta Vineyards.  The three companies currently farm 3000 acres of premium varietal wine grapes throughout California.  The family's commitment to viticulture spans over four generations, which include state-of-the-art drip irrigation, trellising, integrated pest management and soil fertility programs.  This provides consistent, high quality fruit year after year.

I grew up on my father's vineyard operation (Joe A. Cotta Vineyards) in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.  Through my experiences and knowledge gained from my family, I learned the value of agriculture and found that education was the key to the viability of a successful farming operation.

   After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from Fresno State University and a Master of Science degree from the University of California, Davis, I worked on the north coast and observed that many operations valued education as well, but did not have the time or resources to increase their knowledge of viticulture, while dealing with the common pressures of managing a company.  After making a few house calls and friends along the way, I quickly became attached to the rewarding nature of consulting and thought about starting my own business.  While searching for clients in California, I came into contact with Mount Pleasant Winery by fortunate circumstance.  After visiting the operation and beginning to understand the challenges of Mid-West viticulture, I decided it would be best to spend the rest of the growing season at MPW, before consulting for them on a scheduled basis.  During that time, my wife and I took notice of the Mid-West hospitality, quality of life, and potential of the Mid-American wine industry.  After spending an additional year and a half farming in the Mid-West, I also noticed the similar need for knowledge here that exists in California, where company owners and managers require more knowledge with less time and resources to pursue them.

 Cotta Vineyard Management and Consulting is committed to the Mid-West, and it would be a privilege for my wife and I to help your vineyard operations to achieve the level of success that you desire.