● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 negative
California Grape Growers Face Declining Demand, Removing Vineyards
Key points
- Wine sales decreased over 20% in five years.
- California growers removed 25% of vineyards from production.
- Many grapes lack buyers, sold at a loss or left on vines.
- Farmers are replacing vineyards with other crops.
Declining Wine Demand Impacts Growers
California grape farmers are facing significant challenges as demand for wine has decreased by over 20% in the last five years. This decline has led to lower prices for grapes, forcing many growers to consider alternatives for their land.
Some growers are choosing to harvest at a loss, leave grapes on the vine, or replace vineyards with more in-demand crops like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and olives.
Vineyard Reduction Across California
Approximately a quarter of California's vineyards have been taken out of production due to the drop in demand. At its peak during the pandemic, California had nearly 600,000 acres of vineyards.
Jeff Bitter, president of Allied Grape Growers, stated that about half of this year's wine grape crop entered the harvest season without contracts, a significant increase from the typical 70-80% with contracts.
Financial Strain on Farmers
Third-generation grower Bill Berryhill, who owns Berryhill Family Vineyards, reported being unable to find buyers for grapes from 200 of his 500 acres. He plans to remove 50 acres of vineyards after the harvest season.
Berryhill anticipates another year of financial losses, highlighting the severe economic impact on individual farmers.
Market Oversupply Continues
Despite tens of thousands of acres of vineyards being removed or abandoned, the market still faces an oversupply of grapes. Bitter noted that the market remains depressed, making profitable grape cultivation difficult.
Demand for wine continues to decline, indicating ongoing challenges for the industry.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
California wine grape growers are struggling to sell their crops due to a 20% decline in wine sales over five years, leading many to remove vineyards or sell grapes at a loss. This shift in demand is forcing farmers to adapt by replacing vineyards with other crops or ceasing production on a quarter of the state's vineyard land.