Wine or whine...

[Uncle Bob]

As with other forms of alcoholic beverages, wine is also experiencing a decline that is hitting world wide, but especially in the Western US.

California Growers Are Burning 100-Year-Old Healthy Vineyards. The Reason Isn't Disease or Drought

Wine industry adjusts to declining production, softer demand | Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

I lived and worked in Central Washington 50 years ago when the wine/vineyard industry was just beginning to become "a thing" in that part of the world. Some of our accounts in the Yakima Valley who had been significant players in the hop growing business moved into grapes over time.

I'm still doing my part to keep those folks in business, but it looks like I'm not doing enough....

[Jerod Broussard]

Oversaturation also a factor??

[CaptainMike]

Somewhat, but according to many friends in the business it's a waning market.

[Panhead John]

Pretty sure the real reason is people switching to Coors Light…..

[Uncle Bob]

The younger crowd is more into Mocktails, weakly flavored water................so yeah, Coors Light.

[SheilaAnn]

Lordy knows, I’m fighting the good fight for the wine growers!

seriously, sad times…… looking forward to a cyclical turnaround (did I just make sense?….. reaching for my last sip of Sauv Blanc)

[Purc]

I have read that US produced wines may contain up to 70 different "additives" and they are NOT required to list any ingredients other than sulfites. Maybe this is why health consciousness people don't drink wine and other alcohol.

[mrteddyprincess]

We must try harder.

And I find that mocktails are greatly improved with adding one's own bourbon.

B

[jayjordan]

Wine bottlers and grape growers over saturated the market. Just like the beer and bourbon producers.

[CaptainMike]

I have many friends in the grape growing/wine making business. While over-production has played a part, the biggest issue by far is a waning market for wine. Wineries are sitting on thousands and thousands of gallons of wine in tanks all over California. Rena's brothers are excavating contractors and they have been making their living from ripping out vineyards for the last 2 years.

I have a high school buddy who sold all of his vineyards and pear orchards so he could retire about 3 years ago. He said he couldn't have timed it better if he'd intended it.

[Jerod Broussard]

As a farmer, another type of opportune time to retire is when you finally get all your equipment paid off.

[Midway]

I belong to a lot of Washington Wine Clubs. I am noticing more sales, which I take advantage of, but I would prefer the industry stays profitable and keeps growing. The wine industry could find different ways to reach and market to younger generations. I feel they can grow those age groups but will need a different approach than the one that works with us baby boomers.

[DavidNorcross]

I honestly had no idea this was happening. I need to drink more!

[Jerod Broussard]

Don't worry, I'm sure the Lemon Growers are grateful.

[Oak Smoke]

I love a good glass of wine but I stopped drinking 3 years ago or there about. Coincidence maybe or maybe not. I did have a couple of shots of bourbon this spring when I had a bad cold. Other wise I keep a 12 year old bottle of scotch on hand in case of snake bite.

[CaptainMike]

Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore, always carry a small snake.

[surfdog]

One might not get that picture from all of the people crowding local wineries around here. Some that I frequent have two separate tasting areas. One for members and one for the peasants. LOL And a few are even adding on.

Now, as for “grocery store” wine…I could probably see that happening. Too many meh offerings is probably not good for the industry as a whole.

[SheilaAnn]

Which wineries do you like surfdog

[surfdog]

SheilaAnn Locally, I like a few…but the SO has a “membership” at Oak Mountain & Danza del Sol…so we end up at one of those a lot. ;-)

And Oak Mountain serves up some pretty tasty food as well. Rumour Has it that the addition they’re putting on at Danza del Sol will also include a “cafe.”

[Sweaty Paul]

Did wine consumption go up during Covid like beer did and whiskey? Wondering if, like bourbon distillers who ramped up production, they didn't anticipate that circumstances might produce a bubble that has burst.

[Jerod Broussard]

They might have shoulda invested in cattle in order to aid global cooling. Cows take a lot of heat.