California Ag Network

Tag: American Vineyard Magazine

  • California Preliminary Grape Crush Report Reveals Lowest Crush Since 1996

    The 2024 crush totaled 2,918,158 tons, down 25.2% from the 2023 crush of 3,899,631 tons. This is the lowest report crush (of wine grapes) in 20 years for the state, and the total grape crush has not been this low since the 1996 crop at 2,906,614 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 1,438,527 tons, down 27.1% from 2023. White wine varieties crushed totaled 1,405,119 tons, down 18.0% from 2023. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 21,109, down 56.8% from 2023, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 53,403, down 67.8% from 2023.

    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 263,308 tons, 9.0% 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 $992.51, down 4.5% from 2023. Average prices for the 2024 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $1,311.15, down 2.6% from 2023; white wine grapes, $698.61, down 4.8% from 2023; raisin grapes, $295.05, up 2.4% from 2023; and table grapes, $150.40, down 22.6% from 2023.

    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 895,439 tons. The average price per ton in District 13 was $338.67.

    Grapes produced in District 4 (Napa County) received the highest average price at $6,863.46 per ton, down 2.4% from 2023. District 3 (Sonoma and Marin counties) received the second highest average price at $2,888.22 per ton, down 3.1% from 2023.

    The 2024 Chardonnay average price of $1,041.66 was down 2.8% from 2023 and the Cabernet Sauvignon average price of $2,162.29 was up 1.8% from 2023. The 2024 average price for French Colombard was $305.83, down 4.0% from 2023, while the Pinot Noir average price was down 0.4% from 2023, at $1,694.62 per ton.

    Read the entire Grape Crush Report online HERE, and read a full analysis of the report in the upcoming March issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Local Chefs at Whole Vine Festival Awarded for Innovative Use of California Table Grapes

    To support the local and innovative culinary use of grapes, the California Table Grape Commission sponsored a competition at the recent Whole Vine Festival, awarding cash prizes to the top three food trucks incorporating grapes from California on their menus. A $1,000 grand prize was awarded to Rice and Spice for their Thai Papaya (and grape) salad. Runner up $250 prizes went to Marcelino’s Wood Fired Pizza for their Whole Vine Pie (grape & balsamic glaze reduction drizzled over cheese blend topped with arugula and fresh sliced grapes) and their dessert pizza (with red grapes, brie and honey), and Madtown’s Burger & Tacos for their Grape Pollination Salad and PB&J Burger.  Watch this brief interview with Whole Vine Festival President Vickie Goudreau as she introduces the grand prize winner and shares more details with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network.

  • Sun-Maid Growers Report Success in New Product Development & Global Demand for Calfornia Raisins

    The State of the Raisin Industry address was once again a big hit at Malcolm Media’s recent Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo.  In addition to hearing from Raisin Bargaining Association representatives, Steve Loftus from Sun-Maid Growers shared his perspective of 2024 raisin harvest, how the global raisin market is performing, and what Sun-Maid is doing to build demand for California raisins with new product development and consumer outreach. Watch his brief interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and read the full report in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Postharvest State of the California Table Grape Industry

    How did the 2024 harvest fare for California table grape growers following the extensive high heat conditions they weathered over the summer? What are the biggest challenges concerning growers moving into 2025? California Fresh Fruit Association President Daniel Hartwig addressed these questions at Malcolm Media’s annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in his State of the Industry address. Watch his interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and read more about it in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • 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.

  • Raisin Bargaining Association Negotiates Early, High Price for 2024 Crop

    The Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA) recently announced the second highest ever minimum price for the 2024 California raisin crop, agreed to by most of their signatory packers. This is pretty historic for the early time of negotiations and in the timely manner in which RBA growers can expect to get paid for their crop. RBA Chairman Charles Salmon and board member Dwayne Cardoza met with American Vineyard Magazine Editor Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss the terms of the announced price and their strategy for incremental prices increases in the future to bring greater stability to the industry.  Watch this brief interview, and don’t miss the State of the California Raisin Industry address at Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on Nov. 8th at the Fresno Fairgrounds.  Register to attend free at https://agexpo.biz/.

  • Bulk Wine Imports Putting California Growers out of Business

    Time to address the elephant in the room — It’s no secret that the wine market is struggling right now, not just in California, but all over the world.  To make matters worse, California grower’s wine grape crops are getting left unharvested and displaced at local wineries by cheap bulk wine being imported from other countries at disturbing levels. American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Stuart Spencer from the Lodi Winegrape Commission to discuss this issue. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • U.S. Wine Industry Gathers to Discuss Opportunities and Value of Sustainability

    The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance partnered with several wine grape industry organizations recently in hosting the 3rd U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit in Lodi, CA. Attendees enjoyed a local vineyard and winery tour, and engaged in educational sessions highlighting the evolving definition of sustainability and its value to growers, vintners and consumers. American Vineyard Magazine Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Allison Jordan, Executive Director of the Alliance, at the Summit to share some of these insights and remarkable progress of the U.S. wine industry in becoming certified sustainable.  Watch this brief video and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Rising Fruit Fly Populations Concern California Growers

    Fruit fly populations spiked last season and brought multiple species, compounding the damage to vineyards and orchards following Hurricane Hilary.  This is a continued concern for California fruit growers moving into the 2024 season with limited pest management tools available. Watch this brief California Ag Network interview with Adam Borchard from the California Fresh Fruit Association to learn more.

  • Global Alcohol Beverage Consumption Drops, Impacting California Wine Industry

    Wine grape growers may have difficulty finding a home for their crop this season due to a global decline in consumer demand for wine and alcoholic beverages overall.  Watch this brief interview with Danny Brager of Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting to learn more.