We had the pleasure of sharing some current market insights at our recent 7/1 seminar with the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, and wanted to pass along some of the highlights as we head into the 2025 harvest season. Being based on the Central Coast gives us a front-row seat to what’s happening on the ground—and there’s a lot to talk about.
PASO ROBLES IS LEADING THE CHARGE
Paso continues to outperform other regions. So far this year, 41% of our bulk wine sales have come from Paso Robles. Cabernet Sauvignon, in particular, is driving activity—it accounts for 51% of the Paso bulk wine currently on the market, selling at an average of $8.86/gallon, with prices ranging from $5 to $20.
PRICES ARE DOWN, INVENTORY IS UP
Compared to last June, Paso’s bulk wine inventory is up 10%, while prices have dropped substantially:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: down 30%
- Bordeaux Blenders: down 38%
- Rhone Blenders: down 21%
- Chardonnay: down 20%
- Only Sauvignon Blanc has increased in price -- up 17%
GRAPE SALES & CRUSH VOLUMES
Despite a lighter 2024 crush—Cab down 42%, Pinot Noir down 47%, Chardonnay down 33%—grape sales have been stronger this year than last. That tells us there’s still solid interest in the market, especially for high-quality fruit.
THINKING ABOUT CUSTOM CRUSH?
With an oversupplied market, quality matters more than ever. If you’re considering crushing your own grapes, keep in mind:
- A well-executed custom crush can boost returns
- You’ll need strong quality to stand out
- The right custom crush partner can offer more than just production—they can assist with winemaking, storage, and even sales support
LOOKING AHEAD
Paso continues to be the place to be. It’s performing better than other regions, and we’re seeing more Top 100 brands in growth mode here than anywhere else on the West Coast. There’s still so much opportunity on the table—especially if we stay focused on quality and collaboration.
As always, we're here to help in any way we can, if you've got questions about bulk wine and grapes, or private label opportunities, drop us a line!
