201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato, CA, United States of America, 94949
(February 9, 2024, Novato, CA) – The California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2023 was released today. The crush of 3.668 million tons stayed in line with the Ciatti Company’s earlier pre-harvest projections of 3.5 - 3.7 million tons
Ciatti’s experienced brokers are available for further details, comments & analysis on the 2023
California Grape Crush Report. Please call 415-458-5150.
North Coast
The takeaway from the North Coast is that the 2023 crush looked a lot like the rest of the state where wineries were willing to receive grapes only to the contracted volumes and then held growers to that number. Unlike much of the rest of the state, in the North Coast there was a late season spot market for grapes in Napa and Sonoma that cleaned up any extra tonnage. A noteworthy highlight from the North Coast harvest in 2023: Napa County harvested 92,262 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon up from 73,812 tons in 2022. - Chris Welch
Central Coast
As California moved through harvest in 2023, the crop reports from the Central Coast were coming in over crop estimates. The tonnages are reflected in the crush report. What’s more interesting, or surprising, is that pricing increased even with the yields trending upward. Cabernet continues to be king in Paso Robles crushing over 95,000 tons, the largest Cabernet crop in 5 years. - Todd Azevedo
Interior
Overall the Interior tonnage actually crushed in 2023 was very similar to 2022. What isn’t known is the significant amount of grapes not crushed due to disease conditions or being left uncontracted. Zinfandel was hardest hit down 39% in District 13 and down 28% in District 11. Conversely, Chardonnay had a big comeback in the Northern Interior with an increase of 66,000 tons in Lodi and Clarksburg combined. - Johnny Leonardo
Looking ahead to 2024
Looking ahead to 2024, we can’t help but to look back and wonder what the actual 2023 crush total would have been had all grapes in the state gotten picked? As the evidence of unpicked grapes still hangs on dormant vines there is an air of uncertainty. With most wineries operating under the assumption that growth in wine sales in 2024 looks to be limited, those wineries will be looking to reassess their needs as a fair amount of grape contracts expired in 2023. If a winery is on the positive side of sales growth they are in a good position to be selective both in the grape and bulk wine market. - Johnny Leonardo
About CIATTI GLOBAL WINE & GRAPE BROKERS
The Ciatti Company is the world’s largest and most comprehensive bulk wine and grape brokerage. Aside from its home base in Novato, California, seven additional offices around the world provide clients the kind of information and intelligence that today’s competitive global wine industry demands.
The company, founded in 1971, has deep roots in the wine industry, both in California and the countries in which the company operates. The current partnership includes industry professionals with over 135 years of collective experience including: Greg Livengood, Glenn Proctor, John White, Chris Welch, Steve Dorfman, and Todd Azevedo and brokers: Johnny Leonardo, Jed Lucey, and Dennis Schrapp.
Contact: Ciatti Company, Molly Richardson, 201 Alameda Del Prado # 101, Novato, CA 94949 molly@ciatti.com Phone (415) 458 – 5150 Fax (415) 458-5160
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Joined Ciatti in 2011.
Molly Richardson
Customer Account Representation - Grower Accounts
Joined Ciatti in 2016
Email: Molly@ciatti.com
Joined Ciatti in 2000.
Customer Account Representative - Sample Room
Joined Ciatti in 2013.
Email: michael@ciatti.com
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 |
Locations | Address | State | Country | Zip Code |
---|---|---|---|---|
CIATTI Global Wine & Grape Brokers | 201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato | CA | United States of America | 94949 |