California's wine industry enters new era

Heien, D; Martin, P

California's wine industry enters new era

Authors

Dale Heien
Philip Martin

Authors Affiliations

D. Heien is Professors of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis. The authors thank Kirby Moulton and the reviewers for useful and insightful comments; P. Martin is Professors of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis. The authors thank Kirby Moulton and the reviewers for useful and insightful comments.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 57(3):71-75. DOI:10.3733/ca.v057n03p71. July 2003.

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Abstract

The wine industry in California and the world is entering a new era, marked by consolidation and globalization. People are drinking less but better wine. Will producers of lower-priced grapes raise quality to attract more upscale wine drinkers, putting downward pressure on all grape and wine prices, or will the wine-grape industry fragment into distinct quality and price segments? In 2001 and 2002, an increased grape supply and the recession led to declining prices for wine grapes in all areas of California except the North Coast. Predictions of a severe wine-grape glut obscure the possibility that a fragmented wine industry is developing in which some segments prosper while others languish.

References

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