Comments on: Winegrape shortage could last six to eight years

By: Mike Sterling

Mike Sterling — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 22:33:07 +0000

I’m glad the authors (who are obviously vested in brokering fruit & bulk wine) used the words “expected” “may” and “apparent.” Because that is exactly what we are dealing with. Much of this has to do with perception of the future of the market – which, no one really knows. What we do know is the good fruit has been bought up EARLY. As we look at release times 2-3 years out, in a recovering economy, no one wants to be left out. And yes, sales are increasing 6-percent/annum. But it does not justify the soaring prices. When the price of a bottle of wine is adjusted to account for the higher fruit prices, we’ll see if the demand is still there.

By: Jesse Tam

Jesse Tam — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:35:21 +0000

The wine industry has increased over the past few years. Prices seem to vary, good question as to cost increase estimate?

By: Jean Del Pino

Jean Del Pino — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:59:54 +0000

The question is: How much has the cost of California wine increased last year (2011)? And how much do you estimate it will increase this year?

By: Nick Radisic

Nick Radisic — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:13:51 +0000

I have been in the wine business for over 23 years now and there’s something I just cannot process regarding this article; something I do not comprehend at all…the way the economy and the wine business has been for the last ten or so years, I have very little clue about where my business will be in 3 or 6 months time – where and how to the authors of this article portend to get the idea that they have visibility going 6 to 8 years forward when it comes to anything? Are they clairvoyant? Did the authors also see a coming grape glut that we just went through? Can they predict where the economy will be in 6 to 8 years? Can they predict how changes in the economy and spending patterns will affect spending on wine going forward? Consumer spending on wine had changed drastically over the last few years and trends like that will not be turned around quickly if at all…

Demand for wine grapes & juice follows only what recent sales wine trends have dictated and that’s it. I would not read much more into it…

By: Sandi Belcher, Owner/Winemaker Arns

Sandi Belcher, Owner/Winemaker Arns — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:10:16 +0000

We are a small grape grower with 10 planted Organic Grapes. We started our winery as students at UCD. It was our hard earned pay checks that helped us build our small winery and improve our vineyards. We struggle all the time because Quality is #1 in the vineyards and the winery. A lot of work for 2 people with other jobs. I love the following quote: “The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.” JFK

By: Geoffrey Cornish

Geoffrey Cornish — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:05:12 +0000

Happy to read the wine business might be getting better, but the stupidly high prices being charged, even in California, prior to the recession biting everyone, has just begun to get back to normal now !. Quality in fine wines is never hard to find, but with vintages from 06/7/8 still all over the shelves of major retailers in California in 2012, and 30 to 50% sales going on for endless periods, there’s a few years to go before prices rises are on the cards. I’m only a sommelier.. what would I know ? I think you guys are trying to talk the market up… in the end, only consumers can do that.. if they find the value.

By: Duncan Naylor

Duncan Naylor — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:05:32 +0000

Well written article. Maybe there will be a shortage going forward.

Duncan Naylor
Naylor Dry Hole Vineyard
Soledad, CA

By: Serena Friedman, M.D.

Serena Friedman, M.D. — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:37:45 +0000

For many years now we grapegrowers and wine producers have tried to keep up the quality of our grapes and wines despite ongoing lower prices for our products, with great economic stresses for simply survival. I am happy to say that there seems a more equitable situation now in which the payment for grapes and bulk wine is much fairer to cover the actual costs of farming and production, and we want to continue to recognize that it costs to produce a premium wine product here in Paso Robles. We are planting more grapes, if the banks will work with us, because we see the growing need for more grapes as a continuum, not limited only to domestic wine sales here in the USA. Serena Friedman, M.D. Grape grower and wine producer, FOUR SISTERS RANCH – Serena’s Vineyard Paso Robles, CA