2002 California Grape Price Summary

As predicted last year was a big crop with prices falling significantly statewide except for premium wine growing regions like Napa. The disparity continues to increase between Central Valley grapes used in cheap wines and premium grapes in Napa and Sonoma. Last year, California average prices fell ~10% , Sonoma prices fell ~5%, while Napa's average actually increased 4%.

Many consumers are currently benefitting from a wine glut with slashed retail prices. With prices like last year, Napa Valley wines will still remain expensive. Wineries will pass these costs to the consumer. In spite of falling prices, Napa Valley's grape grower's set another record in 2002, increasing revenue 7 percent to $384 million.

Here is an overview of the Preliminary 2002 grape crush report, summarized in

California's Average Grape Prices Going Down...
Wine, table, and raisin grapes	$460 per ton	Down 17% from 2001
Red wine grapes	$613 per ton	Down 10% from 2001
White wine grapes	$428 per ton	Down 13% from 2001
Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture's preliminary 2002 grape crush report

While Napa's Prices Increase
Average price	$2,938 per ton	Up 4% from 2001
Cabernet Sauvignon	$4,016 per ton	Up 8% from 2001. Highly prized with prices even pushing $5,000 and $10,000 per ton*.
Merlot	$2,816 per ton	Up 2% from 2001.
Pinot Noir	$2,189 per ton	Up 2% from 2001
Zinfandel	$1,935 per ton	Down 6% from 2001
Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture's preliminary 2002 grape crush report

* Note: Last weekend at San Francisco's Fifth Floor Restaurant, Belinda Chang, the new sommelier, mentioned that Pinot Noir from Santa Lucia vineyards like Pisoni are commanding similar sky high prices. I've overheard they are about $6,000 per ton. Prices are increasing exponentially with high end boutique wineries like Siduri, Tandem, Loring, and Testarossa making excellent wine. Like any industry, its all supply and demand.