Gallo to Close Large Napa Winery, Cut Nearly 100 North Coast Jobs

E. & J. Gallo Winery plans to shutter The Ranch Winery in St. Helena and lay off workers at four other California North Coast locations.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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E. & J. Gallo Winery, one of the world's largest vintners, plans to close The Ranch Winery in Napa Valley and lay off dozens more at four other California North Coast locations, affecting 93 jobs in the region over the next 12 months.

Why it matters

Gallo's decision to close The Ranch Winery and cut jobs at other North Coast facilities reflects the challenging times facing the wine industry, with the company citing some of the most difficult conditions in recent memory. The move underscores the ongoing consolidation and restructuring in the sector as major players adapt to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics.

The details

Gallo plans to start letting go workers in mid-April and finish by the end of January 2027. The layoffs will impact 56 positions at The Ranch, including 31 in the cellar, 13 in bottling, and four each in maintenance, winemaking and quality control. At the Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena, 15 workers will be let go, including five in the cellar, four each in the tasting room and kitchen, and two in maintenance. Two jobs will be cut at the Orin Swift tasting room in Napa, while 11 layoffs are coming at J Vineyards & Winery near Healdsburg, affecting six in the tasting room and five in the kitchen. At the Frei Ranch winery in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley, three jobs in winemaking and four in quality control are impacted.

  • Gallo plans to start letting go workers in mid-April 2026.
  • Gallo plans to complete the layoffs by the end of January 2027.

The players

E. & J. Gallo Winery

One of the world's largest vintners, based in Modesto, California.

The Ranch Winery

A 70.4-acre winery in St. Helena, California that Gallo acquired in 2015 as part of its push into super-premium and luxury-priced wines.

Louis M. Martini Winery

A winery in St. Helena, California that Gallo owns.

Orin Swift Cellars

A winery that Gallo acquired in 2016, with a tasting room in downtown Napa that opened in late 2023.

J Vineyards & Winery

A winery near Healdsburg, California that Gallo purchased in the same year as The Ranch Winery.

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The takeaway

Gallo's decision to close The Ranch Winery and cut jobs at other North Coast facilities reflects the challenging conditions facing the wine industry, with major players like Gallo having to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics through consolidation and restructuring efforts.