California Ag Network

Category: Grape Industry

  • American Vineyard Live & Hot Spot Ag Present: “Making the Most of Limited Water” – A Must-Attend Webcast for Grape Growers

    Water scarcity remains a top challenge for grape growers, but the right irrigation strategies can make all the difference. American Vineyard Live and Hot Spot Ag are teaming up to host a live webcast on April 10, 2025, at 10 AM PDT, helping vineyard owners and managers maximize their irrigation efficiency this season.

    Titled “Making the Most of Limited Water”, this free webcast will feature Cassie Braswell of Hot Spot Ag and Larry Williams, Professor Emeritus, who will share expert insights and actionable strategies to help growers conserve resources, optimize irrigation, and improve yield. The “Water Smarter this Season,” session will include practical solutions tailored to the unique challenges of vineyard irrigation.

    💧 Bonus for Live Attendees! Live viewers will be entered for a chance to win a brand-new set of Bahco pruning tools or a $100 Amazon gift card!

    Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and take control of your vineyard’s water management strategy before the summer heat arrives. Register now to secure your spot!

    For more details and to register CLICK HERE.

  • Final 2024 California Grape Crush, Not Quite as Small as Projected

    CDFA recently released their Final 2024 California Grape Crush Report, totaling 2,961,433 tons, down 24.1% from the 2023 crush of 3,899,631 tons. The final report reflects a 43,275 ton increase from the preliminary report released last month, which still represents a historic, significant decline compared with the last 20 years of harvests in California. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 1,466,346 tons, down 25.7% from 2023. White wine varieties crushed totaled 1,417,993 tons, down 17.2% from 2023. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 23,630, down 51.7% from 2023, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 53,463, down 67.8% from 2023. For a full analysis of the report, view a recording of American Vineyard Live webcast featuring Turrentine Brokerage HERE.

    The Grape Crush Report includes the total number of tons crushed for concentrate production. In determining grape tonnage crushed for concentrate production, each processor was required to report the estimated equivalent tons of grapes crushed for grape concentrate. For the 2024 season, this total was 270,519 tons, 9.1% of the 2024 grape crush total. This report provides only the aggregate figure for grapes crushed for concentrate production and does not include information by district, type, or variety.

    The 2024 average price of all varieties was $1,009.60, down 2.9% from 2023. Average prices for the 2024 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $1,335.93, down 0.7% from 2023; white wine grapes, $706.84, down 3.6% from 2023; raisin grapes, $296.41, up 2.9% from 2023; and table grapes, $150.65, down 22.5% from 2023.

    LEADING GRAPE VARIETIES AND DISTRICTS

    In 2024, Chardonnay continued to account for the largest percentage of the total tonnage crushed at 17.8%. Cabernet Sauvignon accounted for the second largest percentage of the total crush at 15.4%. Raisin grape varieties crushed for wine accounted for 0.8% of the total crush and table varieties crushed for wine were 1.8% of the total crush.

    District 13 (Madera, Fresno, Alpine, Mono, Inyo Counties; and Kings and Tulare Counties north of Nevada Avenue (Avenue 192)), had the largest share of the State’s crush at 907,220 tons. The average price per ton in District 13 was $338.64.

    Grapes produced in District 4 (Napa County) received the highest average price at $6,938.96 per ton, down 1.3% from 2023. District 3 (Sonoma and Marin counties) received the second highest average price at $2,927.18 per ton, down 1.8% from 2023.

    The 2024 Chardonnay average price of $1,056.63 was down 1.4% from 2023 and the Cabernet Sauvignon average price of $2,181.93 was up 2.7% from 2023. The 2024 average price for French Colombard was $306.60, down 3.7% from 2023, while the Pinot Noir average price was up 1.6% from 2023, at $1,728.36 per ton.

    The Final Grape Crush Report includes all grape tonnage crushed during the 2024 season. It also includes purchased tonnage and pricing information for grapes with final prices prior to January 10, 2025. View the full crush report HERE.

  • What We can Learn from Recent Vineyard Planting Trends, or Lack Thereof

    Wine market issues have led to a major slowdown in grapevine planting activity in California over the last few years to the point that some of the top suppliers of planting material have recently determined to exit the market. At the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter shared the results of their annual grapevine nursery survey report, highlighting which varieties are still being planted and in what areas of the state. Watch this brief interview as Jeff shares with American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm what growers can learn from these planting trends.

  • CAWG Calls for Fair Trade Policies to Address Real Challenges Facing Grape Growers

    The issue of tariffs, and their impact on the U.S. wine industry, is extremely nuanced. While a 200% tariff on European wine presents significant challenges for domestic importers and distributors, it also highlights the long-standing struggle of California winegrape growers and producers to compete against foreign competitors benefiting from lower production costs and, in many cases, generous public subsidies.

    “A tariff alone won’t create a fair market, real change requires action from policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers alike. If we want to protect California winegrowing, we need policies that stop unfair trade practices and a commitment to buying and promoting California wine,” said Natalie Collins, President, California Association of Winegrape Growers.

    “Despite the attention surrounding this latest tariff threat, it is unlikely that tariffs of this magnitude will be implemented in a sustainable or long-term manner. However, this moment presents a valuable opportunity to address the need for a level playing field for California winegrape growers,” Collins continued.

    “CAWG supports a balanced approach to strategic trade policy, one that enables our growers to compete while advancing economic, social, and environmental sustainability. We take pride in producing some of the world’s highest-quality wines, despite operating in one of the most expensive and least subsidized regions. Exploring trade or other policy solutions to support California growers and family-run businesses in a sustainable way remains a top priority.”

    Amid all the noise over tariffs, an actual, and very real, crisis is unfolding in California Wine Country. Winegrowers and wineries are being forced to make impossible decisions; ripping out vineyards, ending family businesses, and shutting down operations. This economic reality must be addressed if we want to ensure a sustainable future for the U.S. Wine Industry.

    While much of the attention has been on the impact of tariffs on bottled imports, bulk wine imports (finished wine shipped in large flexi-tanks, bladders, or containers) pose a more urgent and direct threat to California winegrowers. Foreign bulk wine floods the U.S. at below-market prices, allowing companies to bottle and sell it under familiar “American” brands, misleading consumers and undercutting domestic farmers. In 2024 an estimated 300,000 tons of California wine grapes went unharvested while 38 million gallons of cheap foreign bulk wine replaced California grown grapes.

    Adding to the problem, the Federal duty drawback system, in its current form, further incentivizes bulk imports by allowing companies to claim refunds on import duties and excise taxes; giving imported wine a competitive advantage in the US market. This flawed program may render tariffs ineffective if companies can simply recover those costs through duty drawback. The combination of bulk imports and duty drawback have driven down grape prices, left fruit unsold, forced growers to pull out vineyards, and pushed generational farming families out of business.

    California’s wine industry is a cornerstone of American agriculture, supporting thousands of jobs and rural economies. CAWG urges policymakers in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to take a balanced, long-term approach that focuses not just on tariffs, but on creating a fair and competitive market for California winegrowers and wineries.

    About the California Association of Winegrape Growers: CAWG is a statewide nonprofit trade association advocating for California’s winegrape growers to ensure the sustainability of the winegrape industry. CAWG promotes the industry’s long-term success by advancing the adoption of sound public policies and fostering awareness and understanding of winegrape growers’ contributions to the economy, environment, and California communities. Learn more at cawg.org.

  • Historic, Low California Grape Crush Reported: Analysis with Turrentine Brokerage on American Vineyard Live (Recording)

    American Vineyard Magazine hosted a special livestream webcast on February 21st, featuring representatives from Turrentine Brokerage providing a detailed analysis on the 2024 CDFA Grape Crush Report. The webcast was recorded and can now be viewed for free here. Watch now as Turrentine representatives share key insights on using the results of the report to make informed, critical business decisions moving forward, with wine market perspectives from the North Coast, Central Coast, Northern Interior and Central Valley wine regions.

  • Opportunities for Tree Nuts, Dairy & Wine in Upcoming Peru Agribusiness Trade Mission

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications for its agribusiness trade mission to Lima, Peru, scheduled for June 9-12, 2025. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in participating must apply by March 12, 2025.

    “Consumers in Peru are eager to stock their pantries with world-class, high-quality food and farm products, and this mission offers a unique opportunity for U.S. exporters to meet that growing demand,” said Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley. “It will also help our agricultural community forge meaningful partnerships and unlock new avenues for growth in South America.”

    Peru is the third-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in South America. Since the 2009 U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, bilateral agricultural trade has risen from $1.46 billion to $5 billion in 2023, a 242.5 percent increase. In 2023, the United States was Peru’s second-largest agricultural supplier with a 13-percent market share.

    Peru and its South American trade partners offer robust logistics, distribution, processing, and cold chain capabilities, creating opportunities for exporters across industry sectors, including:

    • Beef, pork, poultry and related products
    • Dairy products
    • Tree nuts
    • Snack, bakery and confectionery products
    • Wine and distilled spirits
    • Condiments and sauces
    • Dog and cat food
    • Health-conscious foods (low-sodium, low-sugar, low-fat)
    • Ethanol
    • Live animals and feed ingredients
    • Bulk products, including pulses

    During the trade mission, participants will join buyers from Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador for targeted business-to-business meetings to explore and discuss potential business opportunities in each country. Foreign Agricultural Service staff and regional experts will also provide in-depth market briefings, lead informative site visits, and host networking events.

    For more information or to apply, visit www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions/peru-june-2025. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

    The trade mission to Peru is one of several USDA-led export promotion opportunities in 2025, with additional missions planned to Côte d’Ivoire, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Taiwan. The agency will announce application details for these missions soon.

  • CAWG Distributes 168 Owl Boxes to Grape Growers Across California

    The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) proudly announces the successful distribution of 168 owl boxes to winegrape growers throughout the state. This achievement was made possible through a grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) CalAgPlate program.

    North Salinas High School FFA

    Built by FFA students from seven chapters across California, the owl boxes were created as part of CAWG’s “Creating a Sustainable Future: Owl Box Construction for Hands-On Agricultural Learning” initiative. This innovative program offered students hands-on experience in woodworking, project management, and sustainable farming practices while deepening their understanding of biodiversity and natural pest management in viticulture.

    These owl boxes, now installed along vineyards across the state, provide growers with an eco-friendly solution for pest control while fostering meaningful collaboration between FFA students and agricultural professionals. CAWG extends its sincere gratitude to the following FFA chapters and their advisor leadership for their contributions to advancing sustainability in the wine grape industry.

    • Elk Grove High School
    • Laton High School
    • Modesto High School
    • Ranch San Juan High School
    • Round Valley High School
    • Salinas High School
    • Tokay High School

    “CAWG is deeply committed to creating opportunities that enhance sustainability in viticulture and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said CAWG President Natalie Collins. “This collaboration between CAWG and FFA students demonstrates how hands-on education can drive meaningful progress in sustainability and leadership.”

    The CalAgPlate program, funded through the sale of specialized agricultural-themed license plates by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, has awarded more than $2 million to initiatives promoting agricultural education and leadership development statewide.

    For more information about the Owl Box Initiative and CAWG’s ongoing efforts to advance sustainability and education in the wine grape industry, please visit cawg.org.

    Tokay High School FFA

  • Historic Grape Crush Report and Live-Streamed Event to Explain It All

    California has just come off of the smallest grape crush the state has experienced in decades. Join American Vineyard live on February 21, 2025, at 10 AM PST to review the 2024 Grape Crush Report and what it means to wine grape growers, vintners, and industry stakeholders in California and worldwide. American Vineyard Live and the team at Turrentine Brokerage will dive deep into questions stakeholders have such as: What is the Grape Crush Report? Why such a low crush this year? Why were quality grapes left unharvested in 2024? How will the 2024 Grape Crush Report impact my decisions in 2025 and beyond? Will the wine market improve in 2025? How can we use the 2024 Grape Crush Report? What can the 2024 Grape Crush Report do to help me make decisions for my vineyard?

    The panel discussion will be streamed live from Fresno, California for all interested viewers worldwide. It is a FREE live stream for anyone who would like to attend virtually. Registered viewers will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $100 Amazon Gift card or brand new Bahco hand pruning tools. Prize winners will be announced during the event (must be “present” online to win).

    Questions about the 2024 Grape Crush Report for the panelists can be submitted when registering to attend. Questions will be answered live during the event.

    No special software or login is needed to register or join the event. Just register HERE, and a link to join the event will be emailed to the address provided.

    Stay informed on the 2024 Grape Crush Report and how it can serve as a compass to lead to a more successful 2025! “There has never been a more crucial time to use the information we have to navigate the headwinds of today’s market. We look forward to seeing you on the live stream!” says Matthew Malcolm, Editor of American Vineyard Magazine.

    REGISTER HERE

  • Lodi Winegrape Commission Honors Executive Director Stuart Spencer for 25 Years of Service

    The Lodi Winegrape Commission Board of Directors proudly recognizes Executive Director Stuart Spencer for his 25 years of service to the organization. Spencer joined as the Program Manager in 1999, before his promotion to Executive Director in 2018. The Board honored Spencer at this week’s annual meeting in Lodi, which was attended by over 150 community members and friends of the region.

    “During the past 25 years, Stuart has been an asset to the wine industry, specifically for the Lodi region,” said Board Chair Diego Olagaray to the group in attendance. “As a winemaker and winegrower, Stuart possesses unique perspectives on the wine industry’s domestic and international issues, which have helped to expand and strengthen the region and set him apart from his peers.”

    Upon joining the Commission, Spencer championed the installation and opening of the Lodi Wine Visitor Center, the first of its kind when it opened in 2000. Today, this wine shop and tasting room serves as a central hub for Lodi producers which lack brick-and-mortar venues to showcase their wine. The center also serves as an education station and guide to the Lodi Appellation, annually welcoming thousands of visitors. Since its opening, the center has undergone two redesigns to maintain a modern and on-brand aesthetic – efforts Spencer has helped guide.

    Since early on, Spencer has overseen the Commission’s marketing program, providing instrumental guidance and support on branding, advertising, public relations, and regional events. Notable initiatives include:

    • ZinFest – Wine, Food & Fun at Lodi Lake (2005)
    • LoCA – The Wines of Lodi, California Branding and Marketing Campaign (2011)
    • Lodi Wine Rebranding and Marketing Campaign (2020)
    • Save the Old Vines Marketing Campaign (2020)
    • “A Rising Tide” Lodi Grower Video Series and Marketing Campaign (2023)

    During his tenure, Spencer has also been heavily involved in educational efforts for the Lodi winegrape industry, including recent initiatives to focus attention on California winegrower challenges and opportunities in the current wine industry. He has played a critical role in developing the LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing program which celebrated its 20th year of certification in January. Since 2005, the program has grown from 1,555 acres of certified sustainable Lodi vineyards to over 75,000 acres of planted vines certified in California, Washington, and Israel.

    “Stuart is a remarkable individual with great insights, and a strategic vision paired with the tactical expertise to know what’s possible,” stated Mark Chandler, the Lodi Winegrape Commission’s first executive director who hired Spencer in 1999. “His steady influence and advocacy for our winegrowing community continues to make great progress for the region. Stuart enhances and elevates the position of our wines on the world stage, while still being authentically Lodi every step of the way.”

    The Lodi Winegrape Commission represents more than 750 winegrape growers farming over 100,000 vineyard acres, and includes 80+ wineries in the Lodi American Viticulture Area (AVA). The Lodi AVA is the second largest in California and crushes a little over 20% of California’s premium winegrapes. The region’s annual yield of over 592,000 tons of winegrapes was valued at over $360 million in 2024.

    “Stuart and I both come from multi-generational Lodi winemaking families and it has been a pleasure to see all the work he has done bringing our amazing people, place and wines into the spotlight,” said Joan Kautz, Lodi Winegrape Commission Grower Marketing Committee Chair and Global Sales & Marketing Director for Ironstone Vineyards. “His 25 years of service are nothing short of tremendous, and I am excited to continue working with him on behalf of the region for years to come.”

    About the Lodi Winegrape Commission

    Established in 1991, the Lodi Winegrape Commission represents the common interests of Lodi winegrowers with programs in marketing, education, research, and sustainable viticulture. The Commission collectively and effectively promotes Lodi’s vibrant, multi-generational farming community and California’s most dynamic wine region. Comprised of nine commissioners and nine alternates, the board of directors provides direction and input on behalf of the region’s 750 winegrowers. For more information about the Lodi Winegrape Commission, visit lodigrowers.com.

    About the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA)

    A historic winegrowing region since the 1850s, Lodi is perfectly situated 40 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco. Lodi’s Mediterranean climate and distinct soils allow its growers to cultivate more than 130 winegrape varieties, making Lodi the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. The region also serves as home to 80 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.

    Lodi is naturally a leader in sustainable viticulture. Created by California farmers and accredited by world-renowned scientists, LODI RULES is America’s original sustainable winegrowing program. Held to a high standard of scientific rigor and excellence, the program emphasizes environmentally and socially responsible practices, while keeping economic feasibility in mind for long-term business success. Today, there are more than 75,000 acres certified throughout California, in Washington, and Israel. For more information about the Lodi AVA or LODI RULES, visit lodiwine.com and lodirules.org.

  • Signs of Stabilization in the Wine Market on the Horizon

    With the preliminary Crush Report revealing the lowest wine grape crush California has experienced in many years, and having heard from State of the Wine Industry panelists at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, including Glenn Proctor from Ciatti Company, growers and winemakers are still wondering when will things get better for the wine industry. Watch this brief video as Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network interviews Glenn sharing that hope is on the horizon based on new indicators in the global wine market. Read more in American Vineyard Magazine.