California’s grape crush in 2024 dropped 25% from the previous year to 2.92 million tons, its lowest level in nearly three decades, according to a new report.

Natalie Collins, president of the California Association of Grape Growers, said the wine portion of the crush was its smallest in 20 years as the industry dealt with oversupply and lighter than expected yields.

More than 37,000 acres from wineries were removed from production in the past year but many growers still didn’t have contracts. “300,000 to 400,000 tons simply did not get picked,” Collins said.

Prices also dipped from record levels as inputs and other costs rose for growers, she added. She wondered if price gains, well above prepandemic levels, kept up with inflation.

Multiyear contracts with vineyards kept prices from dropping even more significantly in 2024, she said.

Report details

The Pacific Region Grape Crush Report, released Feb. 10, was compiled and published by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, in cooperation with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The high mark for California’s grape crush was 4.7 million tons in 2013.

In 2024, the average price for all varieties dropped 4.5% to $992.51 per ton, the second highest mark ever.

Red wine grapes saw steep price gains in recent years, increasing by about 30% since 2019.

Wine varieties

In 2024, red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 1.44 million tons, down 27%.

Red wine grapes also led the way with pricing at $1,311.15 per ton, down 2.6%.

White wine grapes dropped 18% to 1.41 million tons, while their average price declined 4.8% to $698.61 per ton.

Chardonnay remained the largest portion of the crush of any variety at 18%, followed by Cabernet sauvignon with 15.3%.

Grapes from Napa County had the highest average price of any location at $6,863.46 per ton, though that was a decline of 2.3% from 2023.

California produces about 80% of U.S. wine and is the fourth leading producer in the world.

Raisins, table grapes

Raisin type varieties had 21,100 tons crushed, down 57% from the previous year, and table type varieties totaled 53,400 tons, a drop of 68%.

Raisin grapes’ average price was $295.05, up 2.4%, while table grapes were $150.40, down 22.6%.

The total crush for grape concentrate production from all types and varieties was 263,300 tons, or 9% of the 2024 total.

Looking ahead

Collins expected an even smaller crush in 2025, even without considering labor and tariff uncertainty — Canada is the top export market for California wines.

Allied Grape Growers is calling for another 50,000 acres of California wine grapes to be removed to bring the industry in balance, Collins said.

She’d like to see a shift to promoting local wine, the joy it provides and the benefits it brings for growers and communities.