Increased bulk wine and grape activity

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s preliminary 2024 grape crush figure, published February 10th, totalled 2,843,646 tons, lower than widely anticipated and below Ciatti’s pre-harvest projection of 3.1-3.2 million tons. The crop was 22.8% smaller than 2023’s 3.685 million tons and the smallest since 2004’s 2.775 million. Yields were lighter, but uncontracted grapes going unpicked also likely took a meaningful toll on crop size; vineyard removals and mothballing will also have affected the result.

Available below to paid subscribers is our detailed analysis of the crush results by region and by variety, including commentary by Ciatti brokers such as:

“The combined volume change in Districts 6 and 8 amounts to a staggering 7.8 million fewer cases of wine.”

California’s bulk wine and grape markets were busier in the last two weeks of January and the first week of February than in the final few months of 2024. We suspect many buyers spent the end of last year working toward internal balance, inventory-wise and financially, freeing themselves up to move onto the market in the new year to assess the available options; some transactions have occurred. Read on below for details of what wines and grapes are in demand, where, and at what pricing:

“Wine is needed urgently for some programs following a lengthy period of foregoing purchases.”

If you are not yet a paid subscriber and would like access to the full Ciatti California Report, including –

• actionable bulk wine and grape market intelligence;

• our latest bulk inventory charts by volume and by varietal;

• our bulk/grape market activity barometer;

• the latest vineyard health check;

• Saxco beverage packaging update;

– you can upgrade your subscription by clicking here.