201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato, CA, United States of America, 94949
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Ciatti California Market Report, September 2023
With the growing season continuing to run approximately two to four weeks behind a normal timetable, the 2023 harvest is fully underway in the southern Central Valley but just getting started or not yet ready to commence in most other areas of the state. According to viticultural climatologist Gregory V. Jones, much of California has received 110-200% of its normal precipitation since the turn of the year: The effect of the cooler and wetter growing season was compounded in mid-August by the arrival of Hurricane Hilary, which brought a few days of torrential rain and humidity to many areas.
The mildew problem that has been in evidence all through the season has therefore continued, while botrytis and sour rot have become evident in the southern Valley as grapes have started getting picked. We have heard of significant rejections of fruit, with sour rot the likeliest cause; Zinfandel is the varietal mentioned most in this context, though that may simply be because it is one of the first varieties to pick. So it follows that Colombard, Chenin Blanc and the florals have also been mentioned.
Limited spots of botrytis have also been visible in the Coast. With Brix levels still short and picking yet to start, it is still too early to determine if this will be an issue. The perception in the Coast is that treatments have kept mildew and botrytis under control, although there have been some rejections of fruit related to the former. The greater disease pressure this year has occurred in the context of a low-demand, high-inventory bulk market that has led wineries to strictly enforce the quality standards set out in grape contracts. It is no surprise, then, that rejections are taking place.
Now September has arrived, it is too late for the growing season to catch up to a normal timetable, regardless of weather. A compacted harvest is therefore in store, with trucking and crush facilities likely in very high demand from late September through the beginning of November as grapes all ripen together in a very narrow timeframe.
Indicative of its lateness, it remains too early to guesstimate the crop’s size, even at the time of writing in the first half of September. Further confusing the volume picture is the likelihood of field rejections of contracted fruit due to quality issues and – as in 2019 during a similarly quiet market – uncontracted fruit going unpicked. It appears the Coastal crop may have continued to size over the past month, leading some to believe the total crop currently hanging on the vine is normal-sized, although by the time it crosses the scales it may have become lighter.
On both bulk wine and grapes, buyers are holding back to gauge their needs. They are trying to discern if they will need to source, what they will need, and when, and – importantly – the most cost-effective way of proceeding. In a period of slow sales and higher interest rates, bulk wine buyers prefer incremental purchases close to bottling dates, providing quicker cash returns. Buyers and sellers alike are having to be nimble to ensure they make the transactions they need – the Ciatti team can draw on its decades of experience to help facilitate these. In the meantime, read on for our latest analysis.
About
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
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
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
Administrative/Accounting Assistant
Joined Ciatti in 2000.
Email:alette@ciatti.com
Michael FungCustomer Account Representative - Sample Room
Joined Ciatti in 2013.
Email: michael@ciatti.com
Contact
Contact List
| Title | Name | 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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