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

California’s smallest winegrape crush since 1999 March 13, 2026 — The California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2025 was released today, March 13th. The winegrape crush of 2,623,443 tons was down 8.4% versus 2.866 million tons in 2024 and the smallest since 2.617 million tons in 1999, but above the Ciatti Company’s guesstimate of 2.4 million tons. The final tonnage, although lighter than 2024, was perhaps slightly higher than many expected. This may be an indication that yields were larger than anticipated, as there was a significant portion of unpicked grapes. Some observations: The harvest in District 4 (Napa) was down overall by 2.2%, with Cabernet Sauvignon down slightly by 1.4%. Cabernet production was down 4.8%, with a total of 432,666 tons in 2025 versus 454,606 tons in 2024. Chardonnay production was down 7%, totaling 491,036 tons versus 527,798 tons in 2024. Pinot Noir production was down 12.9%, totaling 189,84

California's smallest winegrape crush since 2004 The California Department of Food & Agriculture's Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2024 was released today, February 10th. The winegrape crush of 2,843,646 million tons was below the Ciatti Company’s pre-harvest projections of 3.1-3.2 million tons and the smallest since 2004. The crush was lower than even the low end of Ciatti’s estimated range, which is surprising, and indicates that - as well as yields being down - there was potentially a larger amount of grapes unpicked than previously estimated. Some observations: The total tons crushed was down -22.8% versus 3.685 million tons in 2023. It was the least amount of tons crushed since 2004 - the last time California crushed less than 3.0 million tons of winegrapes. The average tonnage price overall was down -6.8%, which does not reflect the grapes unpicked because they had no market. Cabernet production was down -30.8%, with a total of 447,919 tons in 2024 ve

(February 9, 2024, Novato, CA) – The California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2023 was released today. The crush of 3.668 million tons stayed in line with the Ciatti Company’s earlier pre-harvest projections of 3.5 - 3.7 million tons  Ciatti’s experienced brokers are available for further details, comments & analysis on the 2023 California Grape Crush Report. Please call 415-458-5150. North Coast The takeaway from the North Coast is that the 2023 crush looked a lot like the rest of the state where wineries were willing to receive grapes only to the contracted volumes and then held growers to that number. Unlike much of the rest of the state, in the North Coast there was a late season spot market for grapes in Napa and Sonoma that cleaned up any extra tonnage. A noteworthy highlight from the North Coast harvest in 2023: Napa County harvested 92,262 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon up from 73,812 tons in 2022. - Chr

February 9, 2024 – Novato, CA – The California Department of Food and Agriculture Preliminary Grape Crush Report, containing tons crushed and prices of wine grapes sold during the 2023 harvest, has been released. The Crush Report provides growers and wineries insight into the inventory position of the California wine business as a whole and influences market dynamics for the current bulk wine market and grape market.  The 2023 Crush Report, coming in at a total of 3.6 million tons, fails to capture the full story of the 2023 harvest. The crop would have been considerably larger if not for soft demand and disease pressure that caused some acres to go unharvested. Despite the size of the overall crop, most wineries found themselves with an excess supply amid challenging conditions in consumer sales.  For specific details on 2023 harvest, see below: Key Insights by Region   Tons Crushed 2023 Tons Crushed 2022 Net Gain/Loss Equivalent Gallons

Afternoon Brief, February 9th

Preliminary 2023 Winegrape Crush Report at 3.67 Million Tons: The California Department of Food and Agriculture Preliminary Grape Crush Report, containing tons crushed and prices of wine grapes sold during the 2023 harvest, has been released...

Novato, CA – The California Department of Food and Agriculture Preliminary Grape Crush Report, containing tons crushed and prices of wine grapes sold during the 2022 harvest, has been released. The Crush Report provides growers and wineries insight into the inventory position of the California wine business as a whole and influences market dynamics for the current bulk wine market, as well as the upcoming 2023 winegrape market. The 2022 California Grape Crush report confirmed today what the industry had already expected; the 2022 wine grape crop was far from a barn burner. Yields per acre were light for the third year in a row, in many cases lighter than projected, and highly variable due to frost, excessive heat, and the continued effects of drought. Due to lower 2022 yields, the overall supply wineries received was less than projected. However, recent trends illustrating a challenging consumer sales growth environment may balance the 2022 wine supply, leaving some wineries clos

(February 10, 2023, Novato, CA) – The California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2022 was released today. The crush of 3.349 million tons stayed in line with the Ciatti Company’s earlier pre-harvest projections of 3.5 - 3.6 million tons. This was the smallest winegrape crop harvested since 2011.  The 2022 winegrape crush was even lighter than anticipated, further emphasizing the impact of drought conditions, a severe frost, and ongoing vineyard removals particularly in the Central Valley. It was a harvest that saw Cabernet Sauvignon become the largest variety harvested in the state for the first time ever, overtaking Chardonnay. Pricing per variety was mostly either flat or up with Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc showing the biggest increases of the main varieties due mainly to increased demand in the coastal regions.  While the crop report shows a total number that is slightly below expectations; this volume is not com

The 2022 harvest has finally come to an end. During the growing season it was predicted to be an early start and end to this harvest, but the end-date was delayed for two reasons. First, heat waves in late-August and early-September shut down the vines’ ability to continue to ripen the crop during high temperatures in many cases. Secondly, the heat was followed by a significantly cooler period and rains. Yields, in general, are down from last year, and in many cases are likely to be down from a five-year average. A smaller 2022 crop has kept the grape market supply closer to balance, or shortage, depending on the variety and appellation. Additionally, it means the grape market is positioned similarly entering 2023; however, the outcome of 2023 will be largely determined by consumers sales over the holidays, the health of the economy, as well as early 2023 crop estimates, a combination that can swing the grape market in either direction. Each winegrowing region of California has i

2021 California Winegrape Crushed 3,613,009 Tons

(February 10, 2022, Novato, CA) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2021 was released today. This harvest was larger than last year but […]