California Winegrape Growers Uproot Vines as Oversupply Persists

Industry experts say more vineyard removals are needed to balance supply and demand

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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California's grape-growing regions have seen an 'explosion' of vineyard removals in the past two years, with over 38,000 acres removed between October 2024 and August 2025. This is due to a global downturn in wine consumption that left the state with a persistent oversupply of grapes. While wine sales continued to decline last year, the recent widespread removal of vineyards could help the market reach equilibrium in the near future, according to industry experts.

Why it matters

The grape oversupply has hit California's winegrape growers hard, with many selling their fruit at a loss or watching it rot on the vines. The lack of profitability has caused banks to retreat, leaving some growers unable to obtain yearly operating loans. The surge of vineyard removals, while necessary to correct the oversupply, comes at a steep cost to growers who invested tens of thousands of dollars per acre to develop their vineyards.

The details

Between October 2024 and August 2025, winegrape growers removed more than 38,000 acres across California, roughly 7% of the state's acreage, leaving about 477,000 acres. Experts projected there will be future demand for around 410,000 acres of winegrapes in the state. Another 40,000 acres are projected to come out this year, and an unknown amount of acreage may be abandoned due to financial stress. Meanwhile, during the past two years when grape purchases declined, wineries depleted some excess wine inventory. By the end of 2025, winery inventory declined to 19 months, possibly signaling a recovery in demand for grapes within the next couple years.

  • Between October 2024 and August 2025, winegrape growers removed more than 38,000 acres across California.
  • Another 40,000 acres are projected to be removed this year.
  • By the end of 2025, winery inventory declined to 19 months, possibly signaling a recovery in demand for grapes within the next couple years.

The players

Jeff Bitter

President of the grower-owned marketing group Allied Grape Growers.

Randy Baranek

Project manager for the agricultural service provider Fowler Brothers Farming in Stanislaus County, who supervised the removal of more than 5,000 acres of vineyards last year.

Danny Brager

Owner of Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting.

Liz Thach

President of the Wine Market Council, which conducts research on consumer habits.

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What they’re saying

“The reality is we're still long. We haven't got to where we need to be yet in order to balance supply and demand.”

— Jeff Bitter, President, Allied Grape Growers (wlj.net)

“The last two weeks, our phone has been ringing off the hook. I'm getting calls every single day for more and more and more.”

— Randy Baranek, Project Manager, Fowler Brothers Farming (wlj.net)

“Wine is expensive.”

— Danny Brager, Owner, Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting (wlj.net)

“New generations do like wine. They just drink less.”

— Liz Thach, President, Wine Market Council (wlj.net)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges facing California's winegrape growers as they work to correct a persistent oversupply of grapes. While the widespread removal of vineyards is necessary to balance supply and demand, it comes at a steep cost to growers who have invested heavily in their operations. Industry experts say promoting the positive attributes of wine, such as its health benefits and sustainability, could help attract younger consumers and improve the long-term outlook for the sector.