Listen now: Ciatti's Glenn Proctor speaks to Liquid Assets Glenn Proctor, partner at the Ciatti Company, was a guest on Rabobank’s latest Liquid Assets podcast – titled “Will the US wine industry ever recover from the current glut?” – discussing the current and future state of the Californian wine industry with Jeff Bitter of Allied Grape Growers and podcast hosts Stephen Rannekleiv and Bourcard Nesin. Listen Now Glenn set out bulk-wine inventory levels as of the month of March 2026 and the 12 months to March (“it has been extremely high as to where we would usually sit”), delved down into bulk inventory by vintage year (“inventory isn’t going down but some of it is getting older, making it less marketable as you go into the future”), and outlined the tough realities of the current marketplace: “One of the biggest challenges we have: Those who’d be a buyer in a normal market are currently a seller, they’ve got grapes or bulk wine to sell.” With Jeff, Glenn discussed the recently-publi

My positive takeaways from Oregon Wine Symposium 2026 is that the wine industry has no shortage of opportunities right now. What is changing however is how clearly those opportunities are communicated and discovered. As consumers increasingly turn to AI to help them choose what to drink, where to go, and what fits their lifestyle, the wineries that articulate these wins clearly will be the ones that show up in the world of 'AI intent!' Here are my 10 ways the wine business can win in 2026 and why embracing AI now can help make them visible. Top 10 Ways the Wine Business Can Win in 2026 1. Lead with flavor, not labels Consumers want to know what it tastes like, not what it’s called. Clear flavor language helps AI and people understand wines faster. 2. Whites and lighter styles are growth engines White wines and blends align with affordability, freshness, and everyday occasions. Explaining why they fit modern lifestyles improves discovery. 3. “Better for you” ne

An exceptionally small 2025 grape harvest would help balance wine inventories and potentially stimulate grape demand next year There wasn’t much change in the complexion of the wine market in the third quarter. Sales continued to decline across channels and price points, though at varying rates. Some segments improved while others worsened. Wine exports continued to flag because of provincial bans in Canada.  I continue to believe the slump is mainly structural, particularly at the lower end of the market (see Page 3). But I also believe economic factors such as inflation and depressed consumer sentiment have played a role, and I expect wine sales to firm up once the economic backdrop improves. Unfortunately, we aren’t expecting much change in the economy, for better or worse, in the months ahead, so the wine market isn’t likely to see much improvement either.  2025 was a painful year for California grape growers. Weather was an issue, but the grape market p

With harvest nearly in the rearview, it’s time to talk numbers. Join us for a short demo on Thursday, November 13, at 10 am PT to learn how leading wineries are getting a clearer, real-time view of costs, compliance, and inventory with InnoVint’s winery operating system. See firsthand how InnoVint helps: Finance teams see clear cost traceability from grape to bottle in real-time Owners and management access important winery data from anywhere, at anytime Compliance teams generate fully-auditable reports in minutes Winemaking teams streamline ops with simple, digital workflows Sales and marketing view historical wine data instantly Save your spot here!

Economic uncertainty continues to dampen consumer confidence and wine demand, with no apparent threats to an abundant grape crop. Wine sales are off to a slow start in 2025 and the glimmers of progress evident in the second half of 2024 have mostly dissipated. I had initially expected to see progress continue in 2025, particularly in the premium and luxury segments, due in part to an improvement in consumer sentiment that began after the November election. This looks overly optimistic now. Consumer sentiment has plummeted over the last several months, though the hard economic indicators have generally remained positive. Nonetheless, I expect the labor market to soften and progress on inflation to stall as we move into the back half of the year, though the outlook remains extremely uncertain. Thus, wine sales are not likely to improve anytime soon. Consequently, the grape market has continued to soften. This is despite the fact that there will be likely less excess fruit this year becau

State of the Industry; The Wine Market and Consumer Are Evolving – So Should You In this data-driven session, Dr. Chris Bitter, Senior Wine and Grape Analyst for Terrain / American AgCredit, will break down the key trends shaping both retail and direct-to-consumer wine sales. He’ll examine the structural headwinds impacting the industry, provide a forward-looking outlook on wine sales, and highlight areas where innovative wineries are still finding growth. Wine consumption is declining, and that trend isn’t likely to reverse anytime soon. But beneath the headlines, there’s a more complex story—one that reveals important nuances, shifting consumer behaviors, and untapped opportunities for wineries willing to evolve. The brands that succeed in this new landscape will be those that understand the challenges, adapt to market realities, and embrace strategic change. This interactive session will also include live polling to establish industry benchmarks, allowi

Flexibility and focus will be key this year, as the economic backdrop for wine sales has become murkier, and the grape market still looks long despite a short harvest in 2024. The 2024 numbers are in, and they confirm that off-premise wine sales have not bottomed yet. They are descending at a slower rate, though, due mainly to improvement in the super-premium and luxury segments. Alternatively, the slump deepened in the direct-to-consumer (DtC) and on-premise channels. The economy continues to sail along at a reasonable pace, and the labor market remains solid. But consumer sentiment, which has been treading water, took a dive in early 2025 due to intense uncertainty and negative inflation news. The Spring 2025 Issue of Winescape includes: Breaks down the 2024 grape crush numbers by variety and region Lays out key factors for a recovery in the grape market Reviews wine sales data for 2024 and shares the outlook for 2025 Download the Spring 2025 Winescape

Join Vineyard Team and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance for an educational event that brings together wine industry professionals and energy partners for a half-day of sessions and networking focused on sustainable energy. THURSDAY, MARCH 14 8:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. SPRINGHILL SUITES BY MARRIOTT 900 EL CAMINO REAL, ATASCADERO REGISTER Itinerary: 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. …………….. Check-in, Coffee & Networking 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. …………….. Program Begins & Introductions 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. ……….….. Session 1: Energy Shift for the Wine Industry 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. …………. Session 2: Building Resiliency 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m......… Session 3: Leveraging Energy Sustainability 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. …………… Networking Lunch REGISTER SPEAKERS & TOPICS INCLUDE: Energy Shift for the Wine In

Next Wednesday - January 17th - Wine Industry Network will broadcast the first of the 2024 Bold Predictions: Wine Industry Leadership Conference Series with Session 1: Four Takes on Twentyfour. This session will host four industry leaders with uniquely different vantage points who will share their predictions, emerging trends, and what may be on the horizon for the wine industry in 2024. Join us and hear about the current economic conditions, what best practices to take, and the trends that could influence your businesses and boost your bottom line. Register Now  

The wine market’s malaise appears to have both deepened and broadened in early 2023. U.S. wine sales are declining at a slightly faster rate — and the contraction now extends to nearly all sales channels, price tiers and varietals.  Read the latest report from Dr. Chris Bitter, Terrain U.S. Wine Sales Continue to Slide