How much longer is the wine industry going to be in the tanks? California wine grape growers anticipate delivering a high quality crop to the wineries this year; however, many are concerned whether there will be a home for their grapes, due to the global decline in demand for wine and other alcoholic beverages. At the annual meeting of Allied Grape Growers, President Jeff Bitter shared that the industry will likely see some grapes go unharvested again this year. Watch this brief interview, as Jeff meets with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss the expectations for this year’s crop and where the industry needs to be supply-wise in order to return to balance with the decline in demand. Read more details in the August issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
Tag: Allied Grape Growers
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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.
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Short California Winegrape Crop Doesn’t Fix Wine Market Troubles
While harvest is generally a highly anticipated time of the year for California wine grape growers, it was a real let down for growers that could not find a home for their crop. The global wine market remains depressed while supply and demand continues to be out of balance, despite the shorter crop that was delivered to the wineries this year. This is what Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter shared at Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in his annual State of the Wine Industry address. Watch this brief interview as Jeff shares with American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm what growers can expect heading into 2025. Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
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Central Valley Wine Industry Losing Share in Brandy Market, Compounding Other Challenges
To compound the troubles Central Valley wine grape growers are already facing with a depressed global wine market amidst increased production costs, Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter shared some new trends in the brandy market that are beginning to negatively impact growers invested in that beverage category. Watch his brief interview with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network, and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.
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Wine Grape Planting Trends & the Removal Need for Market Correction
Growers are not overplanting wine grape acreage in California, but they have fallen fall behind in removing old, underperforming vineyards and less desirable varieties. This is what Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter shared at the 2024 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium upon release of their annual grapevine nursery survey report. Watch this brief interview as Jeff shares with American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm what the current planting trends look like and just how many vineyards need to be removed to bring the industry back into balance for a more sustainable future.
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Waning Demand Concerning Future of the Wine Industry
At Malcolm Media’s recent Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo, Allied Grape Growers’ Jeff Bitter delivered a State of the Wine & Grape Concentrate Industry report, that left attendees concerned about the near future of the wine industry. Predicting an imminent market correction that will impact most in the industry, watch his interview and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
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Wine Shipment Slump Indicates Market Correction Ahead
Although prices have been up, largely due to inflation, California wine shipments are down significantly to a level which has not been seen in decades. But, why the slump in shipments and what will this mean for the California wine market in the near future? Watch this brief interview with Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter to find out, and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
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Western Wine Grape Planting Trends & Caution from Allied Grape Growers
When compared with natural vineyard attrition taking place, grapevines are being planted at a higher rate according to Allied Grape Grower’s recent grapevine nursery survey report discussed at The Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. Watch this video with Jeff Bitter to learn more about what varieties are being planted and where.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
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State of the Central Valley Wine Industry and Harvest Report
Wine grape growers in the Central Valley made it through another challenging year and brought in a quality, but lighter harvest. Watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter from Allied Grape Growers as he describes the season’s successes and challenges, as well as wine market conditions — based on his recent State of the Wine Grape Industry address at the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo. Read more about it in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.
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Allied Grape Growers Hires Tim Mendonca, Promotes Staff Members
Allied Grape Growers (AGG) has named Tim Mendonca as full-time grower relations representative in the Central Valley. He will cover the east side of Fresno County and the region south of Hwy. 180 down to Kern County. As a member of the grower relations team, Mendonca will be responsible for liaising with association members and growers and facilitating grape deliveries on association contracts.
Mendonca comes to AGG with more than a decade of experience in the industry. He graduated from Fresno State in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in viticulture, then went on to work for Agajanian Vineyards and Vie-Del Company. In addition to his formal education and experience working with local grape buyers, Mendonca earned his license as a certified pest control advisor (PCA). He is the president of the Fresno State Viticulture Alumni Association and has served as an alternate on the Winegrape Inspection Program Advisory Board.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tim into the dedicated AGG family,” AGG President Jeff Bitter said. “With his viticulture degree, wine industry background and pest management expertise, he has just the right mix of knowledge and experience to benefit AGG for years to come. Tim is an excellent addition to our team.”
Mendonca said, “I am looking forward to working with the AGG staff and growers to help accomplish our unified goals and objectives. It’s great to be part of the team I have always enjoyed doing business with in the past.”
Staff Promotions
AGG has promoted Karl Lehman from manager to director of Central Valley operations and Chad Clark from manager to director of North Coast operations. Lehman has been with AGG since 2006 and Clark since 2010. Additionally, Kevin Rogers was promoted from North Coast grower relations to manager of North Coast grower and buyer relations. He has been with AGG since 2016.
“Karl, Chad and Kevin have all been incredible assets to AGG for many years and they are committed to the success of our members,” Bitter said. “We are proud of their hard work, dedication and leadership.”