It’s been a tough year for California’s wine industry — maybe the toughest in 15 years.
Across the state, from Napa to Paso Robles, many vineyards saw grapes shrivel on the vine or go completely unpicked. Some farmers simply didn’t bother harvesting because prices are down and buyers are hard to find.
Experts say the 2025 grape harvest could end up being one of the smallest in decades. Thousands of acres have already been pulled out, and more could follow if demand doesn’t pick up soon. The days when wineries couldn’t make enough bottles to meet demand seem long gone.
Wine drinking just isn’t what it used to be. Younger folks are reaching for canned cocktails, hard seltzers, and “ready-to-drink” options instead of popping open a bottle of Chardonnay. These easy, grab-and-go drinks are cutting deep into wine sales. Even longtime wine lovers are drinking a little less.
Adding to the trouble are new tariffs and trade problems. Imported wines from France, Italy, and Spain are more expensive now, and that’s shaking up prices on store shelves. U.S. wineries, meanwhile, are struggling to find customers overseas.
Put it all together, and it’s a messy picture. Too many grapes, not enough buyers, and too many other drink choices competing for attention.
Some winemakers are trying to making lighter, more casual wines or branching into canned spritzers to stay relevant. Others are just hoping the next harvest brings better luck.
One thing is for sure: California’s famous wine country is feeling the pinch. The next year or two could decide which vineyards make it — and which ones fade away.
Dining and Cooking