California's smallest winegrape crush since 2004

The California Department of Food & Agriculture's Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2024 was released today, February 10th. The winegrape crush of 2,843,646 million tons was below the Ciatti Company’s pre-harvest projections of 3.1-3.2 million tons and the smallest since 2004.

The crush was lower than even the low end of Ciatti’s estimated range, which is surprising, and indicates that - as well as yields being down - there was potentially a larger amount of grapes unpicked than previously estimated.

Some observations:

• The total tons crushed was down -22.8% versus 3.685 million tons in 2023. It was the least amount of tons crushed since 2004 - the last time California crushed less than 3.0 million tons of winegrapes.

• The average tonnage price overall was down -6.8%, which does not reflect the grapes unpicked because they had no market.

• Cabernet production was down -30.8%, with a total of 447,919 tons in 2024 versus 646,941 tons in 2023.

• Chardonnay production was down -19.7%, totaling 524,111 tons versus 651,610 tons in 2023.

• Pinot Noir production was down -25.9%, totaling 213,394 tons versus 285,806 tons in 2023.

• The harvest in District 8, Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo counties (which includes Paso Robles), was down -40.3%.

• In the Interior, Lodi District 11 was down -24.5%.

Ciatti’s experienced brokers are available for further details, comment and analysis on the 2024 Grape Crush Report. Please call 415 458-5150.

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California Crush Report Grape Market