201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato, CA, United States of America, 94949
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Ciatti California Market Report, November 2024
Ciatti California Market Report, November 2024
This month we introduce our bulk/grape market activity barometer and it shows the markets continuing to proceed slowly. Many wineries currently appear to have a strategy of holding off from buying bulk wine or contracting grapes, whether that be for financial reasons or lack of visibility on retailer/distributor depletions during the important OND sales period and into the new year. Their aim is to weather the higher-cost, lower-sales environment as best they can and reach the 2025 vintage in a more balanced inventory position, by which time it is hoped retail sales declines will have levelled out.
We have downwardly revised our 2024 harvest estimate from 3.2-3.3 million tons to 3.1-3.2 million, as we suspect some late picking – into mid-November in some areas – was more than offset by the detrimental effects of October’s unseasonably intense heat. Many growers are now preparing for another year in which tough decisions will need to be made regarding the extent of financial outlays on farming and even whether or not to remove vineyards altogether. If the grape market continues at its present rate, uncontracted fruit could represent a higher percentage of the total available crop in 2025 than we have seen for a number of years.
Growers are invited to inform us now of what grapes they may have available next year, to assist us in finding buyers when they do come onto the market: Please contact Molly at +1 415 630 2416 or molly@ciatti.com. Potential buyers of grapes trying to get a feel for potential availability in 2025 should also reach out to us.
Bulk wine demand, meanwhile, remains incremental: Inquiries greatly outnumber transactions, the transactions that do occur are often for limited volumes on a just-in-time-basis, and price expectations appear to be at California-appellation levels on all but a handful of cachet Coastal wines. This month’s report details which wines have been receiving interest.
Many buyers are currently unsure of their financial footing, acutely sensitive to the risk of being oversupplied, and struggling to read what retail sales – and retailer/distributor demand – will look like in 2025. Ultimately, with the state’s bulk wine inventory as large as it currently is – our updated chart shows it to be significantly larger in December 2024 compared to December 2023 – buyers believe they can acquire the wines they need, in the volumes they need, when they need it.
Bulk wine suppliers are urged to list their wines with us and provide samples, so we are ready to harness buyer interest quickly when it does arise. Suppliers can contact either Mark at +1 415 630 2548 / mark@ciatti.com or Michael at +1 415 630 2541 / michael@ciatti.com.
Read on for the latest vineyard news, deep-dives into the grape and bulk markets, inventory charts by total volume and by varietal, our all-new market activity barometer, and Saxco beverage packaging update. If you would like to access this content but are not yet a paid subscriber, do consider becoming one: You can check out our subscription plans by clicking below.
About
With 8 offices world wide, Ciatti serves our clients with the most up-to-date and accurate market information available. Please contact us with any questions. We are truly at your service.
Greg Livengood
President, Partner and Broker
Greg joined Ciatti in 1994 and became a partner in 1997. Greg has used his degree in International Relations to build Ciatti into the world recognized leader in the alcohol beverage business. Greg is currently the President and CEO of the company and drives the international group.
Email:greg@ciatti.com
Steve Dorfman
Partner and Broker
Steve Dorfman joined Ciatti in 2007 after working with the Brown-Forman Corporation, Fetzer Vineyards, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards and Bolla Wine brands for 24 years. His primary responsibilities are wine and grape sales within California, and the supply demands of markets throughout Europe, South Africa and Australia.
Email:steve@ciatti.com
John Ciatti
John White
Partner and Broker
Ciatti has a long history of seeking to provide clients with a well rounded team of brokers whose experience in the industry cover the breadth of the business. John joined the company in 2003 after working as a Winemaker for several of California's major producers for 20 years. John's emphasis is maintaining relationships with California wineries ranging from the largest to the smallest. John has focused on all aspects of growth within the business, from long-term custom crush contracts to spot bulk wine and grape sales. His speciatly is the sourcing and selling of premium varietal lots from the coastal and interior regions of California.
Email:johnw@ciatti.com
Chris Welch
Partner and Broker
Chris Welch joined Ciatti in 1994, and began brokering bulk wine and grapes in 2003 and became a partner in company in 2007. The premium and super premium segment of the California wine industry are the breeding grounds of innovation and where Chris truly excels. His consistent approach helps small and medium size wineries and negotiants achieve the innovation and growth they seek. Chris also works very closely with the Oregon Wine Industry.
Email:chris@ciatti.com
Glenn Proctor
Partner and Broker
Glenn Proctor joined Ciatti in 2003 and became a partner in 2007. Glenn advises wineries on supply positioning and works closely with growers and wineries in marketing their grapes and wine. He specializes in spot and contract bulk wine and grapes sales from all regions of California. He has over 23 years of experience in wine supply strategy, wine-grape quality improvement, brand strategy, and business development. Glenn was previously the Vice President of Winegrowing for Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines, and before that was a Director at Benziger/Glen Ellen Winery during its rapid growth in the early 1990's.
Email:glenn@ciatti.com
Broker
Johnny Leonardo joined Ciatti in 2004 as a broker and knows that surviving in a dynamic wine industry requires one to be a Jack-of-all-Trades. He has experience in all aspects of winery and vineyard operation, from the field to the street. Johnny has developed and managed vineyards, and worked in wine sales and marketing.
Email:johnny@ciatti.com
Andy Bivona
Broker
Andy joined Ciatti as a broker in 1996. His areas of expertise and responsibility include grape and fruit concentrates, beverage and industrial alcohol, fruit alcohol and brandy, and food specialty products. Andy's knowledge of these products has allowed him to branch out and work throughout various parts of the world including Mexico, South America and Europe. Andy remains a wealth of knowledge and offers a creative approach to all endeavors.
Email:abivona@hvc.rr.com
Todd Azevedo
Broker
Todd Azevedo joined Ciatti in 2004 after completing his Agricultural Finance degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Although Todd brokers wine, grapes, and wine products throughout the state of California, Todd's focus is on the California Central Coast.
Email:todd@ciatti.com
Mark Ishimaru
Customer Account Representative - North America
Joined Ciatti in 2011.
Email: mark@ciatti.com
Molly Richardson
Customer Account Representation - Grower Accounts
Joined Ciatti in 2016
Email: Molly@ciatti.com
Administrative/Accounting Assistant
Joined Ciatti in 2000.
Email:alette@ciatti.com
Michael FungCustomer Account Representative - Sample Room
Joined Ciatti in 2013.
Email: michael@ciatti.com
Contact
Contact List
| Title | Name | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partner/Broker | John Ciatti | john@ciatti.com | 4152640762 | |
| Partner/Broker | Steve Dorfman | steve@ciatti.com | 7073213843 | |
| Partner/Broker | Greg Livengood | greg@ciatti.com | 4154975032 | |
| Partner/Broker | Glenn Proctor | glenn@ciatti.com | 7073370609 | |
| Partner/Broker | Chris Welch | chris@ciatti.com | 4152988316 | |
| Partner/Broker | John White | johnw@ciatti.com | 4152500685 | |
| Broker | Todd Azevedo | todd@ciatti.com | 4152656943 | |
| Broker | Johnny Leonardo | johnny@ciatti.com | 4157174438 | |
| Broker | Dennis Schrapp | dennis@ciatticanada.com | 9059338855 |
Location List
| Locations | Address | State | Country | Zip Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIATTI Global Wine & Grape Brokers | 201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato | CA | United States of America | 94949 |
List of Locations
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