201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato, CA, United States of America, 94949
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Ciatti California Market Report, May 2024
The weather across California was largely normal through April into early May, perhaps exhibiting a tendency to be slightly erratic, with warm spells of sunshine interspersed by cooler temperatures and some rain. Few if any issues were encountered in the vineyards; the frost risk has now all but passed without notable incident, some frost-prone areas perhaps experiencing limited damage. Budbreak and the early stages of flowering have occurred at a normal timing, perhaps up to three weeks ahead of the lateness seen last year. With some warm periods expected through May, the expectation is that the flowering stage will proceed quicker than last year, when it was greatly protracted by unseasonable coolness. It remains too early to read much into cluster count reports, which have been variable.
A second-consecutive helpfully wet winter means the growing season opens with good soil moisture levels and water reserves, with reservoirs and Sierra Nevada snowpack at or in excess of 100% of their averages. Looking ahead, much of California has an equal chance of experiencing slightly above or below average temperatures and rainfall, according to viticultural climatologist Gregory V. Jones in his May through July forecast.
With the 2024 grape market so slow, it is hard to imagine news from the vineyards stimulating increased grape interest unless Mother Nature stages a major intervention. The bulk market is only slightly more active than its grape counterpart and transactions are hardly making a dent in overall inventory levels. Suppliers of bulk wine and grapes are increasingly aligning their price expectations with those of buyers in order to help make a sale and are being proactive in listing with us what they have to offer. Over and above that, they are thinking strategically about their assets – how they manage them to reduce their running costs and improve margins, or whether to divest them altogether. As businesses increasingly seek to hold less inventory and move away from supply, we see vineyards and associated operations up for sale across the state, although, as on the bulk wine and grape markets, transactions appear few.
Meanwhile, buyers – knowing there is bulk wine and grape availability on most items as and when they need it – are increasingly proceeding on a just-in-time basis to avoid inaccurate sales projections and holding inventory for long. Some may consider taking on inventory but only at a significant price reduction, in order to make it worthwhile to them in terms of cost. This might help improve the pricequality ratio of the wine offering on retail shelves and, in turn, drive more volume sales – ultimately one of the two developments that needs to happen for the wine industry to return to equilibrium. The other, of course, is rationalization of supply, and we are seeing vine removals being undertaken across the state.
This month we welcome our friends from Saxco – the leading provider of rigid packaging solutions to the wine industry in North America – who will be providing us with monthly bulletins on market dynamics in packaging. Read on for their first update and – as ever – our detailed assessments of the bulk wine and grape markets. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch via your Ciatti broker or info@ciatti.com.
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 |
List of Locations
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