Winegrape prices are going down, thanks to higher than projected yields last year, especially in the coastal regions of California.
That’s the outlook of Turrentine Brokerage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir yields per acre were all up 10% in Napa, Sonoma and the North Coast. But in the Central Coast, Cabernet Sauvignon yields were up 30%, while Chardonnay was up 8% and Pinot Noir was up 7%.
Pinot Noir yields jumped 15% in the Northern Interior and 9% in the Southern Interior Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay were both up not more than 4% in the Interior.
Adding to vintners challenges is that fact that consumer sales growth is slowing. Turrentine expects a period of excess, and it’s likely, Turrentine says, that grape prices will fall.