201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato, CA, United States of America, 94949
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Ciatti California Market Report, October 2022
Mid-September brought three to four days of rainfall to California, mainly to the North Coast’s growing areas and in the lower Central Coast areas around Santa Barbara. Up to three inches of rain fell in some parts. Isolated Central Valley areas also received precipitation. Since then, the weather has been excellent – warm and clear – for finishing up harvest in an orderly manner.
The rain fell just a few days after an intense heatwave that brought a week of 105-115° temperatures. Such volatility of conditions was simply the latest in a growing season that has experienced the full spectrum – excluding wildfires/ smoke – that Mother Nature can throw up, sometimes back-to-back: Isolated frost and hail, record heat, rain and humidity, cloudiness, more record heat, more rain, all the while drought being an underlying concern. Early September’s heatwave potentially imbalanced grape chemistry in some areas and rapidly put on sugar; days later, rainfall may have reversed those sugar increases. Such a growing season may present challenges for winemakers, but we have not heard of any large rejections of fruit and do not foresee any wine quality issues.
Meanwhile, picking continues, with the mid-September rain potentially stretching out the harvest finish. The final stages of the picking timetable in Lake and Mendocino have slowed back towards a more normal year; Sonoma is still ahead, picking Cabernet 1-2 weeks early. The feeling is the North Coast crop is lighter than the average on most varieties, certainly Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel. Most North Coast areas are likely to see lighter crops, except Mendocino where output appears a little closer to average in those parts of the county that escaped the early-season frost. The Central Coast is approximately 85-90% through harvest; many growers state they have two weeks or so left of picking, which would mean harvest concluding close to a normal time. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – including in Monterey – have come in light; Cabernet is amid picking now. Overages have not been in evidence in the Coast.
Yields in Lodi and the Central Valley seem a little better relative to the Coast, perhaps closer to the average. A tendency to feel the crop is short is potentially attributable to the balanced grape market in the Interior. Overages have occurred and have been acquired, sometimes at full price. Pockets of southern Valley Muscat keep popping up, suggesting an above-average crop for the variety this year. The picking timeline has been a little ahead of a normal year, and – in some instance – may have been further ahead were in not for some logistics and winery logjams as grapes became ready all at once.
We maintain our rough estimate of a 2022 crop of 3.5-3.7 million tons, the closerto-average crops in Mendocino and the Interior likely averting an overall figure below 3.5 million tons. Last year’s crop was 3.61 million tons and 2020’s was 3.4 million, so 2022 would be the third-successive crop in which output is well below the 4-million-ton mark that we take as the average.
Read on to find out how perceptions around the new crop are affecting the grape and bulk wine markets. Given the earliness of the crop, we are already receiving requests for samples: Get in touch with your grape and bulk wine supplies and needs as soon as possible – the Ciatti team stands ready to help match buyers with sellers and disseminate samples.
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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