The 2025 winegrape harvest is pretty much finished, bringing to an end what can best be summed up as a challenging year.

Unfortunately, quite a bit of fruit was left hanging on the vines, both locally and statewide as we adjust to winery consolidation, worldwide marketing, and an overall decrease in alcohol consumption, which includes wine.

I am sure we will see more vineyards come out of production as the landscape turns from lush vineyards to piles of wood and stakes waiting to be burned and hauled away.

It may take three to four years for the winegrape market to stabilize, leaving landowners in a quandary on what to plant next. Not only are they looking at markets, but the availability of water for irrigation on properties that are subject to the new state Groundwater Management Act,

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