Fresh hell for California’s crippled wine industry as values hit rock bottom
California's wine industry is facing a severe downturn as vineyard values plummet and buyers become scarce. Experts describe the current situation as one of the toughest crises in decades, with many vineyard owners rushing to sell. The broader U.S. wine market is also shrinking due to changing consumer habits and increased competition from other beverages.
- ▪Vineyard values in California are experiencing a significant decline, affecting regions like Sonoma, Napa Valley, Mendocino, and Lake counties.
- ▪Experts warn that the current crisis could last for years, with many vineyard owners under financial pressure to sell at low prices.
- ▪Changing drinking habits, particularly among millennials, are contributing to the overall shrinkage of the U.S. wine industry.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Metro Fresh hell for California’s crippled wine industry as values hit rock bottom By Nina Joudeh Published May 27, 2026, 5:14 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google California’s battered wine industry is spiraling deeper into crisis as vineyard values across wine country plunge, buyers vanish, and experts warn the pain could drag on for years. At an AWG Wine Advisors conference in Santa Rosa on May 21, industry insiders called this downturn one of the toughest in decades. Vineyard owners are now rushing to sell land in a market crowded with sellers and very few buyers. “It’s like catching a falling knife,” Sonoma-based agricultural land appraiser Tony Correia said of the collapsing vineyard market.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from California Post
