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

www.ciatti.com

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Ciatti Global Market Report, November 2024

This month’s Global Report marks the 100th issue under my editorship. I wrote the introduction to my first issue, July 2016, just days after the Brexit referendum in my native country. Four months later, Donald Trump was elected president of the US for the first time. “Trump and Brexit: we live in interesting times,” I wrote in November 2016, and of course the interesting times were just getting started. Tariff wars; a global pandemic; war in the Ukraine. Wine consumption surged in some markets during COVID-19, then fell back, in some instances to below pre-pandemic levels. The Chinese demand bubble deflated, exposing a declining sales trend in developed markets that had been ongoing since the 2007-08 global financial crisis, so that the International Organisation of Vine & Wine estimated that worldwide wine consumption in 2023 was at 1996 levels. Hectarage consequently had to contract, and has done so, most notably in France, California, Chile and Australia. There is a neat symmetry in writing this 100th introduction days after Donald Trump was elected president for a second time, putting tariffs back on the agenda. You can read more about that on the following page. The interesting times are set to continue. 

The Northern Hemisphere harvests are now complete and all appear to have come in below their five-year averages, with France (-17%) leading the estimated shortfalls in Europe ahead of Italy (-12.8%) and Spain (-4.7%). The extent of the deficit in France comes as a surprise; a number of downward revisions have recently been made as the consequences of an array of unfavourable conditions between flowering and harvest became apparent. California’s 2024 harvest remains hard to quantify; our guesstimate remains 3.2-3.3 million tons, below the five-year average of 3.5 million tons and last year’s 3.6 million. 

The shorter Northern Hemisphere harvests of 2023 and 2024 sandwiched below-average Southern Hemisphere crops earlier this year, a potentially helpful development for inventory levels during a period of struggling retail sales. The lack of need is illustrated by, to quote this month’s France page, the bulk market “exhibiting none of the early energy that would – in years gone by – have been stimulated by such a short crop”. That said, this month there are calls to action on a number of wines, including specific Italian appellations and white wines in South Africa and Chile, demonstrating that supply is not universally plentiful. And particularly on varietal and generic white wines, lower pricing would likely unlock more transactions. Plenty of pricing opportunities do exist: for example, this month we cite Californian supply (generic through to high-end), high-end Chilean reds, southern French Pinot Grigio (competitively priced versus Italy’s), and 2023 New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. 

As ever, Ciatti will be on hand at the World Bulk Wine Exhibition – in Amsterdam on the 25-26th November – with the very latest opportunities for buyers and suppliers alike. Need to turn around wine in rapid time? Come see us in Hall 5, on stand D42-44. In the meantime, read on for the latest from each market.

Read the full report 

Bulk Wine Grape Market

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

List of Locations