Bulk market hesitantly active; grape demand slow

California’s bulk wine market was more active in the first quarter of this year than at any time in 2024, but has since slowed in the past four weeks or so, likely at least in part due to some softer-than-expected first quarter sales figures and also tariff uncertainty. Canada – the leading export market for US wine – has essentially been closed-off as a buyer since March, and the US administration’s early April announcements of the largest single imposition of tariffs in at least 70 years have led to economic jitters everywhere, the wine industry being no exception.

As this month’s Ciatti California Report states: “If nothing else, tariff developments are one more reason for a potential buyer to err on the side of sitting out the market for a little while longer.” The bulk market has continued to see some activity, whereas the grape market’s current sluggishness comes as something of a surprise given the limited size of the 2024 crop and the opportunities available.

Paid subscribers can view our updated bulk wine inventory graphs by volume and by varietal, and find out what wines and grapes are in demand, by reading the full California Report for April.

They can also read our latest vineyard update, which is keeping a close eye on the number of unpruned vineyards around the state – easier to discern now that bud-break is a few weeks in. Taking into account the pace of the grape market and the pruning levels, this month we tentatively set out what sort of crop size we can expect this year. The cool and wet spring delayed bud-break by about one to two weeks, but the growing cycle is still within a normal range.

Paid subscribers can read the full Ciatti California Report for April, including the latest Saxco Update detailing how tariffs are affecting beverage packaging sourcing and costs, by hitting this button.

CALIFORNIA REPORT - APRIL 2025

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• our latest bulk inventory charts by volume and by varietal;
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