Ciatti California Report - May 2025
The very latest on bulk wine activity and inventory
Although continuing to be healthier than last year, activity levels on California’s bulk wine and grape markets have declined over the past four to eight weeks as the number of negative effects on buyer confidence continues to rise. First quarter case-good sales were softer than expected, retail numbers are still yet to stabilize, and the US administration’s tariff and foreign policies have hurt export sales.
With shelf space for Californian wines being rationalized at home and abroad, bulk inventory remains large and demand for it hesitant at best. Meanwhile, the grape market is slow enough to have led to what is likely the largest number of unpruned vineyards that we have seen. For the latest deep-dives into the bulk wine and grape markets – what is selling, and where – paying subscribers can read on below.
Our Vineyard Update is a longer one this month. Early growing conditions have been normal, and bud-break – where late in some places – has largely caught up following some warmer weather in recent weeks. But the real conversation is not around climatic conditions but grape market conditions, and what they mean for growers financially. The pull-back from grape buying that we have seen in recent weeks included many of those - few - buyers able to think strategically in terms of ensuring their future supply stays in the ground.
For the full Ciatti California Report for May, including our updated bulk wine inventory charts by volume and varietal and Saxco Update assessing the tariff impact on beverage packaging, paying subscribers can read on below.
If you are not yet a paying subscriber and would like access to the full report, including –
actionable bulk wine and grape market intelligence;
our latest bulk inventory charts by volume and by varietal;
our bulk/grape market activity barometer;
the latest vineyard update;
Saxco beverage packaging update;
– you can upgrade your subscription by clicking here.
Bulk wine suppliers are invited to list their wines with us and send in samples, so we are able to harness buyer interest as it arises. Suppliers can contact either Mark at +1 415 630 2548 / mark@ciatti.com or Michael at +1 415 630 2541 / michael@ciatti.com.
Grape growers are recommended to inform us now of what 2025 grapes they may have available, so we can match up supplies with buyers: Please contact Molly at +1 415 630 2416 / molly@ciatti.com.
Prospective buyers of bulk wine or 2025 grapes should reach out to our broker team by clicking the button below.
Listen now: How bad is wine’s oversupply problem?
Glenn Proctor, partner at the Ciatti Company, was a guest on Rabobank’s recent Liquid Assets podcast, discussing the problem of wine oversupply with Jeff Bitter of Allied Grape Growers and podcast hosts Stephen Rannekleiv and Bourcard Nesin.
“I’ve been in the business since the late 80s, and it’s definitely the worst I’ve experienced in terms of the imbalance and where the industry feels,” said Proctor. “What we’ve experienced over the last three years is, with the declining sales, we are adjusting inventory around that to try to get back to a balanced situation.”
Proctor talked bulk inventory levels, how they compare with previous years, where inventory is located and at what pricing, and the wine industry’s situation more broadly.
You can listen to all 49 minutes of the Liquid Assets episode absolutely free, with no sign-up required, by clicking here. You can also listen to the episode via Spotify here.