Legacy Vineyard. New Opportunity.      Ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon fruit for the 2026 harvest and beyond — sourced from a 2-acre hillside vineyard in Calistoga, positioned above renowned sites like Switchback Ridge and Hourglass. This vineyard has produced wines retailing at $200+ per bottle for over 25 years, and with the longtime winemaker retiring, this fruit is now becoming available to a new buyer — presenting a rare opportunity to step into an established, high-pedigree vineyard source. With sourcing decisions actively underway, listings like this offer wineries the chance to secure exceptional fruit early and build future vintages around proven vineyard performance. View Listing The WIN Marketplace is built to connect buyers and sellers across the wine industry, and vineyard listings like this highlight how the platform helps wineries secure exceptional vineyard sources directly from growers. With a long track record of producing high-end wines and a prime

Rising fuel prices compound market hesitancy The sluggishness of activity on the bulk wine market globally since the turn of the year continued through March into early April, with hesitancy compounded by a rise in fuel prices – by approximately 30%+ in most countries – as a consequence of the conflict in the Middle East. Prices spiked amid the Southern Hemisphere harvests, directly impacting the picking of at least one: this month’s report provides the latest insights from the vineyards. As this month’s California page states, the Iran war is likely to compound some pre-existing consumer pessimism, “with upward pressure on fuel costs exacerbating the reduced spending power consumers have possessed since the 2021-23 post-pandemic inflation spike. Unlike in previous eras when there has been economic misfortune, consumers are pessimistic about the long term – not just the short or medium term – and could curb spending accordingly”. Not wha

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

Secure Your Pinot Source Early   Now available: Premium 2026 Pinot Noir grapes — a strong opportunity for wineries looking to secure quality fruit as vineyard sourcing decisions continue to take shape. Pinot Noir is one of the most site-sensitive varietals, and sourcing the right fruit early can make a meaningful difference in program quality and consistency. Listings like this give winemakers the opportunity to evaluate vineyard options and build relationships ahead of harvest. View Listing The WIN Marketplace is built to connect buyers and sellers across the wine industry, and vineyard listings like these Premium Pinot Noir grapes highlight how the platform helps wineries secure quality fruit directly from growers. As one of the most site-driven varietals, Pinot Noir benefits from early sourcing decisions, giving winemakers the opportunity to align vineyard selection with their stylistic goals. If you have grapes available for upcoming harvests, now is an ideal time

2025 Dry Creek Valley — Cabernet Sauvignon This excellent bulk wine listing features over 8,600 gal. of 2025 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Lytton Manor Vineyard, a site known for its certified organic farming and deep-rooted commitment to sustainable viticulture. Grown in one of Sonoma County’s most sought-after Cabernet regions, this offering reflects the balance, structure, and varietal purity that Dry Creek Valley is known for — delivering fruit well-suited for premium standalone bottlings or strategic blending programs. Backed by a long-standing reputation for quality and consistency, Lytton Manor Vineyard provides both pedigree and transparency, with direct access to availability details and grower insights through the listing. Whether you’re sourcing fruit for your core program or exploring new vineyard partnerships for the future, this is an opportunity to secure Cabernet Sauvignon from a trusted and proven source: View Listing Good Wine

Join us at Eastern Winery Exposition March 24-26! Learn more: EasternWineryExposition.com #EWE Visit us at Booth 808 Use Code EWE26VIP for complimentary trades how admission.  Discover all that Western Square has to offer Stop by our exhibit booth to chat with our team, watch our informational video, and view Western Square products.  Winery Racks- two and four-barrel, stainless and powder coated. Learn more about our racking systems and how we can upgrade the safety in your warehouse. LaddersLearn more about our partnership with Stokes Ladders, and how you can utilize them in your warehouse.  Trailer, Shade Trailers, and Harvest BinsSet an appointment with our Ag Rep to learn more about how Western Square can keep your employees safely socially distanced and protected from the sun. Seismic Safety TrayLearn more about our exclusive Seismic Safety Tray and how you can apply this new technology to keep your employees and wine safe.  Barrel MasterLearn mo

2.62: A Historic Reset by Steve Fredricks  The release of the preliminary 2025 California Crush Report confirms an evolutionary shift in the state’s wine landscape. With the total crop recorded at 2.62 million tons, the industry has hit its lowest production level since 1999. This marks the second consecutive small harvest, resulting in a staggering one-million-ton decrease in tons harvested compared to just two years ago. For the consumer market, this translates to roughly 73 million fewer cases available between the 2023 and 2025 vintages, reflecting a deliberate, industry-wide effort to bring wine production back into balance with current demand.  The impact of this contraction was felt most acutely in California’s interior regions. While coastal areas saw a 51,000-ton decrease compared to 2024, the interior experienced a much sharper drop of 170,000 tons. This disparity highlights a significant trend: acreage is being removed from production at a higher rate

A tumultuous 2025 economy likely depressed wine sales. In 2026, the higher-end segments should continue to outperform, and the grape market should be less oversupplied when harvest begins. REPORT SNAPSHOT Situation: Wine sales softened across the board in 2025, and prices stagnated as a result of consumer price sensitivity and heightened competition among producers trying to move excess inventory. Although the wine market slump continues, relative bright spots include premium and luxury wines, nonalcoholic and ready-to-drink wines, and white and sparkling wines. Outlook: I’m not expecting a material change in the trajectory of U.S. wine sales in the near term, though I see the most potential for progress in the second half of the year. There should be less excess supply burdening the grape market when the 2026 harvest begins than there was in 2025. Impact: For wineries that are fairly certain about their grape needs, it may be prudent to act sooner rather than later. Download the

2026 Alexander Valley — Bordeaux Grapes    Now available on the WIN Marketplace: Alexander Valley Bordeaux varietals — an opportunity for wineries looking to source fruit from one of Sonoma County’s most established Cabernet-growing regions. Alexander Valley is known for its warm Mediterranean climate and significant day-night temperature swings, conditions that help Bordeaux varieties ripen fully while maintaining balance and structure. This offering includes all five Noble Bordeaux varietals, creating a rare one-stop sourcing opportunity for wineries building a complete Meritage or Bordeaux-style blend. View Listing The WIN Marketplace is built to connect buyers and sellers across the wine industry, and vineyard listings like these Alexander Valley Bordeaux grapes highlight how the platform helps wineries secure premium vineyard sources directly from growers. With all five Noble Bordeaux varietals available in one offering, buyers have the opportunity t