Below is an overview of the Bulk Wine Market outlined by region.  Call us early to get an update on how the 2014 harvest will affect the market for the wines of interest to you.  There are some great opportunities of wines available for sale.  Also, the earlier we understand your position the greater our ability to offer more solutions.

North Coast Bulk Wine Market Overview
Written by Marc Cuneo & Steve Robertson

Marc Cuneo

Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa: There continues to be strong demand for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, however we observed some slowing as harvest approached.  More 2013 bulk wine could arrive on market post-harvest.  Highest quality or best value lots are receiving the most interest from potential buyers.  We still have active buyers looking for wine; recent sales have been in the $28 to $30 per gallon range.

Sonoma/North Coast: This area has the strongest demand in the state for quality and value.  There are low quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon available and we are not predicting large gallons to become available after harvest.  The 2014 crop will most likely not bring many extra gallons to the bulk wine market either.  Excess in the rest of the state for Cabernet Sauvignon is the only factor that could soften price or demand.  Even though there aren’t many gallons for sale, new buyers continue to  enter the market looking to fill Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon programs. Recent sales have been in the $15 to $17 per gallon range for Lake and Mendocino and $20 to $22 for Sonoma County.

Pinot Noir- Sonoma/Napa:  We have seen a softening of price, while demand remains moderate. The clients who are going to purchase are the “Just-In-Time” buyers that are entering back into the market for more wine.  Recent sales have held at the $17 to $18 per gallon range for high quality 2013 Sonoma County lots.

Merlot – There are not an excessive amount of gallons of Merlot actively for sale; however the supply is in excess of demand.  Buyers sourcing for Napa Valley Merlot for varietal programs are ready to make purchases now.  Strong demand for North Coast and Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon has hepled move some Sonoma County and North Coast Merlot.  Large winery buyers have 2014 Merlot from grapes and some of those wineries will be sellers. Price will likely soften.

Steve Robertson

Chardonnay – The large 2014 crop will most likely put downward pressure on prices of bulk wine from all regions of the North Coast.  Most of the gallons actively for sale are winery owned.  Based upon the deals our Bulk Wine team is working on with growers, we don’t predict there will be many grower owned gallons of 2014 wine offered for sale in bulk.  Wineries will try to sell 2013 case goods and adjust inventory by listing 2014 wine in bulk for sale.  Lake and Mendocino County Chardonnay could see the largest softening in price due to large inventories of Sonoma County, Monterey County and Northern Interior wines.

Sauvignon Blanc – Demand for Sonoma County and Napa Valley 2014 bulk wines may be soft because of vintage 2012 & 2013 wines that are still in the casedgoods market.  We have some early interest in Lake County lots.

Zinfandel – A lighter crop might position bulk wine inventory actively for sale into balance.  Our Bulk Wine team has had some new buyers for Zinfandel at the right price, but demand is still soft.

Interior Bulk Wine Market Overview
Written by Michael Robichaud

Michael Robichaud

Most of the large California wineries went into harvest with larger inventories than normal.  Due to new acres and reasonable yields on existing acres they also have a good supply of 2014 wine in tanks. Demand for bulk wine is softer which may result in downward pressure on bulk price.

Most likely prices will continue to soften for Cabernet Sauvignon and premium blenders. Due to the increase in supply of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and generic blenders will continue to be a challenge to sell in the bulk market.

Due to lighter yields on 2014 Zinfandel, we may see fewer gallons offered for sale in bulk next year, but still predict supply will be in excess of demand.

The bulk market for Chardonnay and most whites will continue to be slow.

2014 Pinot Grigio bulk wine will be active but also price-sensitive. If you have bulk 2014 Pinot Grigio for sale, let Turrentine know right away!

The continued supply of quality wine at attractive prices typically spurs innovation, new brands and labels that could improve the market.

Central Coast Bulk Wine Market Overview
Written by William Goebel

Recent activity in the Central Coast has been slow for all varieties on the bulk market and that trend has sustained through harvest.  The 2014 crop is similar in size to 2013, adding more challenges to selling 2013 bulk Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.

Chardonnay:  We have 50 lots or approximately 750,000 gallons of 2013 Central Coast Chardonnay actively for sale, about 270,000 gallons are from Santa Barbara County and 180,000 gallons from Monterey County.

William Goebel

Pinot Noir: We have over 50 lots listed or approximately 340,000 gallons of 2013 Central Coast Pinot Noir that need a home.  Most of the bulk wine Pinot Noir available is Monterey County, but still about 100,000 gallons is from Santa Barbara County.

Cabernet Sauvignon: Demand for 2013 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon has been hot and cold this year, with buyers coming into the market early with different price expectations than sellers, creating a disconnect that could not be bridged.  Buyers then focused inland and north on sourcing Cabernet, while waiting out the Central Coast market. A few months later buyers entered the market again, secured the few truckloads they needed and left before the end of summer.  Currently, there are about 40 lots listed for sale, or approximately 580,000 gallons of Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon. Most of the demand from bulk buyers for Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon is specifically for Paso Robles.

Merlot: In the Central Coast, Merlot saw an early uphill struggle during the 2013 harvest when wineries and custom crush facilities were not interested in discussing available Merlot grapes.  We have a saying here around the office, “If you are having a hard time selling your grapes, we will most likely have a hard time selling the bulk wine.”  In 2014, there were only a few completed spot market deals for Central Coast Merlot. 37 lots are available totaling 478,000 gallons are currently offered for sale.