California wineries ripping out vineyards over supply, less demand, changes in industry to blame: Here’s a look at impact

ST. HELENA, Calif. (KGO) — The wine grape harvest has been underway for about several weeks now.

Growers and wineries in California face a tough time again this year despite ideal weather conditions.

Changes in the industry, less wine consumption and over supply mean more wineries are harvesting less.

Statewide, thousands of acres of vineyards have been ripped out.

At V. Sattui Winery in Saint Helena, this is Tom Davie’s 46th harvest.

MORE: Growers consider removing vineyards as wine consumption declines

The wine industry faces some big challenges right now.

Alcohol consumption has hit 90-year low according to recent studies.

The cost of wine has also gone up.

“Following the pandemic, a lot of people raised their tasting prices. The prices of wine have increased. It’s expensive to make wine,” said Davies.

Experts say for various reasons, there’s an oversupply of wine and grapes.

Driving through Napa, Davies says you’ll see more vineyards pulled out than usual.

Stuart spencer is with the Lodi Wine Commission, which works with 85 wineries and 75 grape growers.

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He says they’re expecting another slow wine harvest season in the Lodi region and across the state.

“Last year, there was probably an estimated 400-thousand tons left unharvested across California, and it probably be that amount his year,” said Spencer.

In a photo taken in January in Lodi, you can see black patches. Those are grapes rotting on the vine because they weren’t harvested, says Spencer.

“The grapes being left unharvested is painful to see,” said Spencer.

At many vineyards, vines are laying on the ground.

In the Lodi region, Spencer says 20 percent –about 20-thousand acres of vines have been removed over the past few years.

“You’ve got vineyards that weren’t harvested last year that were sitting almost abandoned across California. You have vineyards that are being bulldozed. They put them in big piles and push them over. They are trying to figure out an alternative crop to plant,” said Stuart.

Davies and others worry what the Pickett Fire will do to the local wine crop. He’s having his grapes tested.

“It looks like maybe we dodged a bullet and we’re probably OK,” said Davies.

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Davies says vintners may be worried about oversupply of the wine crop. But he has a warning.

“I caution other vintners you think the sky is following and you rip out stuff and you don’t replant we can end up in a place under supplied year from now,” said Davies.

The wine industry faces big challenges. But Davies says it’s a chance to redefine the industry’s future.

“(That includes) what new wines can we make, what new experiences that we can have and how can we appeal to a new generation of wine drinkers,” said Davies.