Ciatti Warns Against Waiting to Contract for Grapes

Wineries may want to heed this warning from Ciatti, the grape brokers: With reports of shatter and mildew, a number of vineyards are already mothballed, and more are expected to do so.

Bottom line: Buyers seeking current-vintage wines must be mindful of the limited size of the 2025 harvest and – very likely – the coming 2026 harvest too.

While "some case-good programs are showing improved sale performances and this month’s SipSource update identifies some areas of positivity in US wholesaler depletions." Ciatti notes "overall sales stabilization remains elusive, and bulk inventory is still significant: Suppliers hesitating to accept offers are urged to “ruthlessly interrogate their options.”

The report quotes the recently-published BMO Wine Market Report 2026 as noting that in less than a decade, “the amount of wine entering the US market from California has declined nearly 25%.”

The wine industry in California, as around the world, is experiencing acute credit and cashflow challenges and – until case-good sales stabilize – reductions in vineyard area and the number of operators will continue, Ciatti says.