Vibes more positive, not yet the hard facts and figures An unseasonably warm start to spring in California has accelerated vine development in the growing areas to a marked extent: This month’s report relays the latest news from the vineyards – and how it may, or may not, affect the bulk wine and grape markets – and delves deep into the California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2025, published last month. The state’s smallest winegrape harvest in 26 years, combined with some improved mood music regarding case-good sales – if lacking hard figures to support it – has helped create a feeling that the wine industry is headed in the right direction. Before the sunlit uplands are reached, however, more painful rightsizing must occur, and we continue to see vineyards removed and mothballed, crush and storage capacity taken offline, and companies shrinking, merging, or shuttering altogether. In the shorter te

Ontario growers gain local access to affordable, retrofit irrigation automation backed by more than 70 years of irrigation expertise. Verdi, the leading global provider of easy and affordable irrigation automation, today announced a new partnership with Vanden Bussche Irrigation, Ontario’s leading provider of irrigation solutions. Verdi currently supports more than 20,000 acres across North America, works with some of the world’s largest food producers, and helped farms save over 1 billion liters of water last year. Through this partnership, Ontario growers will now have local access to Verdi’s automation platform, delivered with design, installation, and ongoing support from the Vanden Bussche team. For growers managing labor constraints, rising water costs, and increasing pressure to protect yield and quality, the partnership brings together Verdi’s retrofit automation platform and Vanden Bussche’s long-standing irrigation expertise. Expanding Access

Green shoots: Is this a “transitional moment”? With spring getting underway, this month’s California Report assesses vineyard conditions, grape demand, and whether the bulk wine and grape markets are seeing the first tentative green shoots of  recovery: Is the industry in a “transitional moment” before growth returns later this year or next? We dive into recent reports that case-good sales declines in the US are slowing, using the latest SipSource US wholesale depletions data to pick out some sales trends. The convergence of pricing toward California-appellation levels on all but a select handful of wines theoretically enables bulk wine buyers to make their decisions based purely on which samples best meet their quality/character specifications. This has opened up product development and scope for wine companies to attack potential retail opportunities. With wine aisles growing shorter, this is a challenging time to “buy the dip” with inn

For decades, cylindrical tanks have dominated winery cellars. But as producers look for smarter ways to maximize space, control costs, and improve wine quality, alternative tank designs are entering the conversation. Square tanks are emerging as a compelling solution — offering measurable gains in efficiency, sustainability, and production capacity without requiring expansion of existing facilities. Rapid Return on Investment La Garde Inox tanks stand out for their ability to generate a return on investment in record time, often in less than a year and a half. Their optimized design allows for an increase in bottle production of up to 83% compared to round tanks, thus offering an opportunity to maximize the profitability of each liter of wine produced. By reducing operating costs, whether in terms of maintenance, energy management, or human resources, these tanks become an essential financial asset for winemakers seeking to improve their cash flow and maximize their short-term p

Market rich in strategic buying opportunities With 2026 already six weeks old, this month’s California Report relays the bulk wine and grape activity levels that we have seen since the turn of the year: What has been receiving buyer interest, and at what kind of pricing? As well as updating our monthly bulk inventory charts, we drill down deeper into the inventory we have listed with us, finding the availability picture a little more nuanced than might be assumed. Cashflow is now an almost universal concern throughout the industry, and late payment has become a common issue. Many growers are minimizing farming until their vines are contracted, some uprooting altogether. Buyers – outside of those fulfilling private-label programs – are wary of committing; some even have wine or grapes to sell. Adding to buyer hesitancy is the lack of evidence that case-good sales are stabilizing – this month’s report has the latest from SipSource on US wholesaler depletion

Stop reacting to cancellations. A proactive strategy for spotting and saving at-risk wine club members before they leave. vinSUITE Blog Wine Club Retention Strategy: What to Do With At-Risk Members  Wine club churn rarely starts with a cancellation. It starts earlier with small moments that don’t look urgent on a report: a skipped shipment, a failed card update that lingers, a pickup that keeps getting missed, a shipping issue that takes too long to resolve, or a member who goes quiet. This post shares a proactive strategy for spotting risk early and responding with the right action—without turning retention into a constant scramble. In this post, you’ll learn: What “at-risk” looks like before a cancellation A 4-step framework to stabilize and save members Exactly what to send (templates included) The “Save Before They Cancel” Framework (quick preview) Proactive retention works because it fixes friction before it becomes frustratio

2025 in review; looking ahead to 2026 This month’s California Report looks back at 2025 on the bulk wine and grape markets and ahead to what we might expect to see in 2026. Bulk inventory charts for a number of 12-month ranges – and updated for January – are included, so too SipSource US wholesaler depletions data that takes in the opening two months of the important OND sales period, and the first packaging bulletin of the year from our friends at Saxco. A Q&A with Ciatti broker Chris Welch, discussing the current wine consumption and bulk market situation, will be published in the coming days. It is fair to say 2025 – like 2023 and 2024 before it – was not an easy year for California’s wine industry, nor was it for the wine industry globally. Evolving consumer preferences as the Baby Boomer generation shrinks, persisting post-pandemic inflationary tailwinds, and economic and political uncertainty, have been eroding sales in most major wine-con

ScottCart Filter Cartridges Pre-membrane, Membrane, and Specialty Cartridges With roots firmly planted in the wine industry, the ScottCart cartridge range meets the unique needs of our industry, and our technical team has decades of experience in wine and beverage filtration. MEMBRANE CARTRIDGES Polyethersulfone (PES) final membrane filters are designed to remove yeast and bacteria (sterile filtration). They can be integrity tested and chemically regenerated. Great for use on the bottling line. MEMBRANE PROTECTION Our dual-layer cellulose acetate cartridges work well in-line (upstream) of final filter membranes to extend the life of final filters, especially when sterile filtering a wine after crossflow. PRE-FILTER CARTRIDGES Polypropylene (PP) depth filter cartridges are designed for particle reduction. Work well in-line (upstream) of final filter membranes to extend the life of final filters or act as bug catchers. SPECIALTY CARTRIDGES Carbon-embedded filters, high-adsorption g

Adjust pH Naturally and Precisely with Oenodia STARS® Technology Traditional pH adjustment tools like tartaric acid and potassium carbonate often lack precision and can alter wine flavor, especially after fermentation. Oenodia’s STARS electrodialysis process is a smarter way to fine-tune pH, enhancing flavor, color, and SO₂ performance. Why Adjust Acidity? Stability: Enhance SO₂ Effectiveness Sulfur dioxide is most effective within a specific pH range to protect wine from microbial contamination and oxidation. When pH>3.65, its effectiveness drops, requiring higher free SO₂ levels. Lowering pH helps maintain wine stability with less intervention. Sensory Adjust Flavor and Color pH plays a key role in a wine’s sensory profile and visual appeal. A lower pH can sharpen flavor balance, reduce flabbiness, and enhance freshness. pH also influences color, especially in reds and rosés. pH adjustment is a natural way to shift color. SHIFT pH ± 0.05 - 0.5 WITH PR

A Story of Leadership, Innovation, Hard Work, and Inclusion In an industry dominated by large-scale manufacturers and long-established corporations, National Storage Tank (NST) stands out not only as a leader in engineered water storage systems but also as a certified woman-owned business driving change through innovation, diversity, and community impact. Led by CEO Nicole Oblad, NST has become a powerhouse in the design and delivery of bolted steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, and underground water storage tanks, serving industries ranging from hospitals and data centers to agriculture and manufacturing. Yet, what truly sets NST apart isn’t just the scale of its operations, but the values that fuel its success. Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry The water storage and construction industries have traditionally been male-dominated, but NST’s leadership has rewritten that narrative. Under Nicole Oblad’s guidance, NST has become one of