201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato, CA, United States of America, 94949

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Ciatti Global Market Report, October 2024

Having largely adhered to a normal timetable, the Northern Hemisphere harvests are now winding down: France and Italy are currently projected to produce crops short of their five-year averages by 11% and 12.8% respectively, while California is on course for a crop – guesstimated at 3.2-3.3 million tons – short by long-term historical standards but in fact not far off the 3.5 million tons that is the five-year average since the state’s 2018 crop, the last to reach the 4-million-ton mark. Only Spain’s crop is expected to near its average, although a rainy end to the growing season is likely to rein-in availability of 11%+ alcohol wines. 

None of this news has stimulated a great deal of extra activity on the bulk market. Last year Italy experienced its shortest crop in five decades, with ramifications for demand levels in Spain and, in turn, ripple effects further afield. Partly in response to that demand, Spanish prices have increased and Italy’s crop, although short of the average again, is 7% larger this year versus last. Consequently, the buying campaign is starting noticeably calmer, more accurately reflecting the underlying wine sales fragility. 

It was hoped that 2024 would bring a stabilisation of sales volumes after a period of retailer/distributor destocking following pandemic-era stockpiling, but it has not come to pass: in the US, for example, wine’s total retail sales volumes fell more than 6% in the 12 months to 10th August, and it is likely – with similar economic and demographic factors at play – comparable trends are occurring in the major European markets, of which the OIV found that, in 2023, only Spain registered a growth in sales. Growers in both hemispheres have been pushing for higher grape prices to cover elevated input costs and shorter crops, but wineries and bottlers – caught in the middle – are still seeing lethargic retailer/distributor demand. Margins have become squeezed, cashflow tight, assets devalued and the ability to borrow reduced; the end result will be a smaller area under vine. 

Forecasting future sales is still challenging, to say the least. Entering the important October-December period, consumer confidence in the US and UK is roughly in line with where it stood at the same stage last year (when festive-season wine sales volumes went on to be disappointing), while confidence in France, Germany, Italy and Spain enters OND slightly higher than last year. The industry will be hoping for, rather than expecting, a final-quarter sales boost. 

After a year of shorter crops, however, some bulk items – mainly generic wines and varietal whites – have become harder to come by; potential buyers of 2025 varietal whites from Chile and South Africa are recommended to get in touch earlier than normal. Reds are generally more abundant, with many highlyattractive opportunities available on some very good-quality wines. The Ciatti team stands ready to match-up buyers with suppliers and assist in fulfilling justin-time needs: get in touch with us direct. In the meantime, read on for the latest news from each market.

Read the full report 

Grape Market Bulk Wine

About

Ciatti's roots in the California Wine industry span over a half a century. In 2006 Joe Ciatti retired. A new ownership group carries on with a blend of considerable experience and a fresh vision for the future. Ciatti is the largest and most comprehensive bulk wine, juice and grape brokerage in the world.

With 8 offices world wide, Ciatti serves our clients with the most up-to-date and accurate market information available. Please contact us with any questions. We are truly at your service.

 

Greg Livengood

President, Partner and Broker

Greg joined Ciatti in 1994 and became a partner in 1997. Greg has used his degree in International Relations to build Ciatti into the world recognized leader in the alcohol beverage business. Greg is currently the President and CEO of the company and drives the international group.

Email:greg@ciatti.com

Steve Dorfman

Partner and Broker

Steve Dorfman joined Ciatti in 2007 after working with the Brown-Forman Corporation, Fetzer Vineyards, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards and Bolla Wine brands for 24 years. His primary responsibilities are wine and grape sales within California, and the supply demands of markets throughout Europe, South Africa and Australia.

Email:steve@ciatti.com

John Ciatti



John White

Partner and Broker

Ciatti has a long history of seeking to provide clients with a well rounded team of brokers whose experience in the industry cover the breadth of the business. John joined the company in 2003 after working as a Winemaker for several of California's major producers for 20 years. John's emphasis is maintaining relationships with California wineries ranging from the largest to the smallest. John has focused on all aspects of growth within the business, from long-term custom crush contracts to spot bulk wine and grape sales. His speciatly is the sourcing and selling of premium varietal lots from the coastal and interior regions of California.

Email:johnw@ciatti.com

Chris Welch

Partner and Broker

Chris Welch joined Ciatti in 1994, and began brokering bulk wine and grapes in 2003 and became a partner in company in 2007. The premium and super premium segment of the California wine industry are the breeding grounds of innovation and where Chris truly excels. His consistent approach helps small and medium size wineries and negotiants achieve the innovation and growth they seek. Chris also works very closely with the Oregon Wine Industry.

Email:chris@ciatti.com

Glenn Proctor

Partner and Broker

Glenn Proctor joined Ciatti in 2003 and became a partner in 2007. Glenn advises wineries on supply positioning and works closely with growers and wineries in marketing their grapes and wine. He specializes in spot and contract bulk wine and grapes sales from all regions of California. He has over 23 years of experience in wine supply strategy, wine-grape quality improvement, brand strategy, and business development. Glenn was previously the Vice President of Winegrowing for Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines, and before that was a Director at Benziger/Glen Ellen Winery during its rapid growth in the early 1990's.

Email:glenn@ciatti.com
Johnny Leonardo

Broker

Johnny Leonardo joined Ciatti in 2004 as a broker and knows that surviving in a dynamic wine industry requires one to be a Jack-of-all-Trades. He has experience in all aspects of winery and vineyard operation, from the field to the street. Johnny has developed and managed vineyards, and worked in wine sales and marketing.

Email:johnny@ciatti.com

Andy Bivona

Broker

Andy joined Ciatti as a broker in 1996. His areas of expertise and responsibility include grape and fruit concentrates, beverage and industrial alcohol, fruit alcohol and brandy, and food specialty products. Andy's knowledge of these products has allowed him to branch out and work throughout various parts of the world including Mexico, South America and Europe. Andy remains a wealth of knowledge and offers a creative approach to all endeavors.

Email:abivona@hvc.rr.com

Todd Azevedo

Broker

Todd Azevedo joined Ciatti in 2004 after completing his Agricultural Finance degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Although Todd brokers wine, grapes, and wine products throughout the state of California, Todd's focus is on the California Central Coast.

Email:todd@ciatti.com

Cindy Hansen

Finance Manager

Joined Ciatti in 1984.

Email:cindy@ciatti.com

Lora Parnell

Sales Support Manager

Joined Ciatti in 2000.

Email:lora@ciatti.com

Jed Lucey

Customer Account Representative - North America

Joined Ciatti in 2003.

Email:jed@ciatti.com

Mark Ishimaru

Customer Account Representative - North America

Joined Ciatti in 2011.

Email: mark@ciatti.com

Molly Richardson

Customer Account Representation - Grower Accounts

Joined Ciatti in 2016

Email: Molly@ciatti.com

 

Alette Roberts

Administrative/Accounting Assistant

Joined Ciatti in 2000.

Email:alette@ciatti.com
Michael Fung

Customer Account Representative - Sample Room

Joined Ciatti in 2013.

Email: michael@ciatti.com

 

Contact

Contact List

Title Name Email Phone Extension
Partner/Broker John Ciatti john@ciatti.com 4152640762
Partner/Broker Steve Dorfman steve@ciatti.com 7073213843
Partner/Broker Greg Livengood greg@ciatti.com 4154975032
Partner/Broker Glenn Proctor glenn@ciatti.com 7073370609
Partner/Broker Chris Welch chris@ciatti.com 4152988316
Partner/Broker John White johnw@ciatti.com 4152500685
Broker Todd Azevedo todd@ciatti.com 4152656943
Broker Johnny Leonardo johnny@ciatti.com 4157174438
Broker Dennis Schrapp dennis@ciatticanada.com 9059338855

Location List

Locations Address State Country Zip Code
CIATTI Global Wine & Grape Brokers 201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato CA United States of America 94949

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