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”...

Summer winery marketing strategies are essential for staying competitive during travel season and warmer weather. As customer habits shift and traditional foot traffic slows, wineries must find new ways to stand out. The good news? With the right mix of creativity, personalization, and tech-driven...

Global wine consumption in 2024 is estimated by the Organisation of Vine & Wine (OIV) to have reached 214.2 million hectolitres, down 3.3% versus 2023 and the lowest level since 1961. In its recently-published 2024 industry report, the OIV attributed the decline in consumption – which has “followed...

Our thoughts are with all those affected by the recent and ongoing wildfires across California and the West Coast in general. In mid-August, remnants of an eastern Pacific tropical storm brought intense thunderstorms and a record number of lightning strikes to much of California, including to...

A second consecutive lighter-than-average harvest across the state has further solidified the tightening of bulk wine actively for sale. There are currently fewer lots available than we ever have listed in mid-January, and the last time we had as few gallons available at this time of year was in...

BRUT TRIFECTA Announcing three stunning North Coast sparkling Brut shiners ready for your fall wine order: Dry Natural — NEW RELEASE! A “Natural” brut with zero dosage, leaving it crisp and dry. Fruit components of yellow apple and citrus flower bring balance with acidity to highlight the...

by Steve Fredricks Last month I was impatiently waiting for my favorite Philly Cheesesteak as I overheard another sandwich lover describing the success of his investment in Dogecoin to his friend. He was touting Dogecoin as a “sure investment” based on his study of the price trend, and was looking...

The Next Chapter by Steve Fredricks One thing that’s certain in the wine business: change. We are constantly adapting to unpredictable consumer trends, unexpected weather patterns, variable crop sizes, and fluctuations in the cycles of supply and demand. Change is also something to which we adapt...

Things Certainly Can Change in One Year by Steve Fredricks Last year at this time, mere weeks before the United States shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were in an excess phase of the cycle for nearly every variety in California. Now, less than two months into 2021, the situation is...

February 10th – Novato, CA – The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2020 has been released. It is a summary for the supply of the wine and grape industry, containing tons crushed and prices of wine grapes sold during the 2020 harvest. The Crush Report...