Crisis in California wine industry: Unsold grapes and struggling farmers

Fox40.com ^ | September 21, 2025 | Kimberly Cruz

[Mariner]

“She said some of the challenges include a decrease in consumption by the younger generation, an oversupply of grapes, and an increase in cheaper imports.”

I can get a decent French wine (they produce, then dump their excess in the US) for less than a decent Napa County wine...in the under $20 range.

[crusty old prospector]

We have dozens of wineries in East Texas. I had always heard that it was too humid over here.

[Red Badger]

I learned a long time ago that price does not translate to quality in wines.

I’ve had some really expensive wine that tasted awful.............

[Bookshelf]

It has been said that California vinyards think they serve wine from the Last Supper.

[Labyrinthos]

“Serious question: Can the vineyard lands be used to grow something else that will sell?”

Yes, olives.

[vpintheak]

When I see wine from California, I look for wine from somewhere else. That’s what asinine pinko commie Dim policies have done to me.

[JimRed]

wine is too expensive. no wonder consumption is down. I found a CA brand called Liberty Creek at less than ten dollars for a 1.5 liter bottle. Since I sometimes cook with wine and it wouldn't go to waste if not very good, I bought a Pinot Grigio and a Merlot. Both are (in my judgement) worth double or more. The company is a supporter of Fields of Honor, a scholarship program for families of military and first responders.

[virgil]

Olives? Avocados?

[scrabblehack]

Tennessee legalized selling wine in grocery stores a few years ago. One place I frequently shop at went from 2 aisles of soda to 1.5 aisles of wine and 0.5 aisles of soda.

I’m sure the profit margin on wine is higher than it is for soda.

I don’t know how much of it comes from California.

[Night Hides Not]

Thanks for the tip! One of my favorite wines is Mission Wine, from Fall Creek Vineyards in Driftwood, Texas. An image of The Alamo appears on the label, honoring the fallen heroes of the Alamo. The grapes are grown on land once owned by COL William B Travis, CO at the Alamo. It’s a very good Cabernet Sauvignon, I think I still have a case spread over 3 years (20-21-22). Due to its popularity, the price has gone up to $30 a bottle.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

There, I knew about it, but not that detail! (It could also have been made into vinegar and used to clean windows or make salad dressing!)