Overall prices remain strong as we move into the 2023 growing season. At this stage, early spring, grape buyers are still trying discern the size of the upcoming crop. That said, top quality continues to demand a premium.
Below is a snapshot of the weighted average grape prices paid in 2022 for some of the more popular wine grape varietals found in Napa and Sonoma Counties. The numbers come from the California Annual Grape Crush Report. These figures help guide pricing for grape purchase agreements between growers and wineries.

Wine grapes
Wine grapes coming from areas like the Russian River Valley region, Sonoma Coast and Alexander Valley AVAs among others in Sonoma County continue to draw high prices. Similarly in Napa County, super premium AVAs like Diamond Mountain, Oakville, Howell Mountain and others continue to push new pricing boundaries.
Weighted Average Price Paid Per Ton For Wine Grapes in Napa Valley and Sonoma County
County Average | Price Per Ton | | | | | |
Napa County | | | | | | |
| 2022 | Trend | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 High | 2022 Low |
Cabernet Sauvignon | $8,813 | + | $8,082 | $6,260 | $60,000 | $450 |
Pinot Noir | $2,815 | + | $2,637 | $2,647 | $8,500 | $1,000 |
Merlot | $4,525 | + | $4,032 | $3,217 | $27,592 | $429 |
Zinfandel | $4,581 | + | $4,435 | $4,007 | $10,000 | $500 |
Syrah | $4,658 | + | $4,251 | $3,686 | $17,500 | $1,200 |
Chardonnay | $3,555 | + | $3,245 | $3,028 | $15,000 | $500 |
Sauvignon Blanc | $2,930 | + | $2,635 | $2,453 | $8,000 | $1,000 |
| | | | | | |
Sonoma County | | | | | | |
| 2022 | Trend | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 High | 2022 Low |
Cabernet Sauvignon | $2,966 | + | $2,728 | $2,460 | $20,198 | $733 |
Pinot Noir | $3,708 | + | $3,518 | $3,147 | $17,062 | $500 |
Merlot | $2,113 | + | $1,960 | $1,590 | $20,198 | $200 |
Zinfandel | $3,335 | + | $3,113 | $2,624 | $38,864 | $200 |
Syrah | $3,038 | + | $2,871 | $2,472 | $7,464 | $100 |
Chardonnay | $2,439 | + | $2,284 | $2,311 | $13,215 | $500 |
Sauvignon Blanc | $1,921 | + | $1,730 | $1,554 | $6,373 | $900 |
*Source - Grape Crush Report Final 2022, California Department of Food and Agriculture
Strong demand continues for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
With this winter seasons onslaught of storms we are looking at replenished reservoirs and saturated soils. Barring any major frost events the spring or major heat spikes during the growing season we may be looking at a healthy crop size. TBD.
So far we are off to a great start and look forward to the rest of the growing season.
Cheers!