Harvest & Bulk Update
By Steve Fredricks
The Dog Days of summer have given way to fall, and while there was some uncertainty whether California's hottest summer on record would accelerate the crop or cause vines to shut down and delay harvest, the answer has been resoundingly in favor of acceleration. Across all regions, harvest is in full swing, with whites largely wrapped up and focus now on reds.
In general, the 2024 crop will be smaller than last year’s due to extended heat causing lighter yields per acre and acreage removals resulting in fewer bearing acres. Both make it very difficult to gauge how small the overall crop will actually be, but one thing is certain: even though yields are down, not all fruit will be sold due to wineries recalibrating supply to adapt to high inventories, weakening consumer demand, lower risk tolerance, and higher interest rates. This has left many opportunities for buyers for virtually all varieties throughout all regions in California.
The smaller supply and general conservative nature in 2024 could lead some buyers to a more balanced supply position after being long on 2023. Of course, this supply position will be heavily influenced by end-of-year casegood sales as well as first-half of 2025 sales projections.
Following are more specifics on the grape market and harvest by region, and a bulk market update.
- Grape Market 2
- North Coast 3
- San Joaquin Valley 3
- Central Coast 3
- Bulk Market 4
- Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot
- Grigio 4
- Cabernet Sauvignon 5
- Chardonnay 5
- Pinot Noir 6
- Conclusion 6
- Turrentine on the Road 6
- 2024 Crop Contest 7
- Market Opportunities 8
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