201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato, CA, United States of America, 94949
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Joined Ciatti in 2011.
Molly Richardson
Customer Account Representation - Grower Accounts
Joined Ciatti in 2016
Email: Molly@ciatti.com
Joined Ciatti in 2000.
Customer Account Representative - Sample Room
Joined Ciatti in 2013.
Email: michael@ciatti.com
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 |
Locations | Address | State | Country | Zip Code |
---|---|---|---|---|
CIATTI Global Wine & Grape Brokers | 201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato | CA | United States of America | 94949 |