After several years of short wine grape crops in Napa Valley and Sonoma County, wine grape prices are moving in the right direction. As you can imagine, price increases for wine grapes bolsters regional real estate values. The overall trend is positive.
Below is a snapshot of the weighted average grape prices paid in 2021 for 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.
Popular varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir are in strong demand across Napa and Sonoma. Areas like the Russian River and Sonoma Coast AVA’s are seeing increased activity, higher prices and desire for longer term grape purchase agreements. The same can be said for Cabernet Sauvignon throughout the Napa Valley from the Coombsville AVA to Rutherford and up in mountain areas like Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder AVA’s.
Weighted Average Price Paid Per Ton For Wine Grapes in Napa Valley and Sonoma County
| County Average | Price Per Ton | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa County | ||||||
| 2021 | Trend | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 High | 2021 Low | |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | $8,082 | + | $6,260 | $7,941 | $62,825 | $600 |
| Pinot Noir | $2,637 | - | $2,647 | $2,773 | $9,517 | $1,500 |
| Merlot | $4,032 | + | $3,217 | $4,055 | $29,527 | $1,200 |
| Zinfandel | $4,435 | + | $4,007 | $4,339 | $8,350 | $500 |
| Syrah | $4,251 | + | $3,686 | $4,086 | $8,836 | $1,800 |
| Chardonnay | $3,245 | + | $3,028 | $3,032 | $12,500 | $1,200 |
| Sauvignon Blanc | $2,635 | + | $2,453 | $2,485 | $7,250 | $1,000 |
| Sonoma County | ||||||
| 2021 | Trend | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 High | 2021 Low | |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | $2,728 | + | $2,460 | $3,056 | $21,630 | $800 |
| Pinot Noir | $3,518 | + | $3,147 | $3,949 | $18,634 | $200 |
| Merlot | $1,960 | + | $1,590 | $2,000 | $21,482 | $400 |
| Zinfandel | $3,113 | + | $2,624 | $2,737 | $19,164 | $400 |
| Syrah | $2,871 | + | $2,472 | $2,812 | $8,468 | $100 |
| Chardonnay | $2,284 | - | $2,311 | $2,414 | $15,000 | $450 |
| Sauvignon Blanc | $1,730 | + | $1,554 | $1,814 | $5,719 | $800 |
But currently, the strongest demand is for Sauvignon Blanc, a white grape that can be grown in high quantities compared to other varietals. Sauvignon Blanc has become increasing popular over the last several years as an easy drinking refreshing treat, perfect for warm summer evenings. According to Ciatti Wine & Grape Brokers most other varietals are in demand as well.
That said we are headed into another season of drought, this multi year run of less than average rain fall has people nervous about water diversions from the Russian River and some lower producing groundwater wells. That said, the dramatic rains of last fall and December did have some beneficial impact, especially to private water reservoirs.
For now, we are going to focus on the positive, conserve water, enjoy the strong demand for North Coast wine grapes and make the most of this growing season. Last but not least we are going to enjoy wine country and everything it offers.
Cheers!
Marked by 19,000 acres of undulating hills and a consistency of Goldridge soils, it has drawn important producers to its unique set of characteristics since before being given official designation as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1983.... Read more
While much of the county’s grapevines remain at “the popcorn stage” — a term coined for the swelling, fuzzy white buds that signal ..... Read more
Chardonnay is among California’s most important grape varieties if not it’s most important of all. ... Read more
Brokers and Wine Industry Consultants reported plenty of mergers and acquisitions in 2022, despite concerns over rising interest rates and other world wide crises.... Read more
Up and down California, growers had to deal with frost, ongoing drought conditions and an historic heat wave around Labor Day weekend ... Read more
Winery tourism remained relatively strong in Sonoma County over the summer as visitors continued to come out to sip on lush pinot noir and swirl bright chardonnay... Read more
A winery group co-founded by Gov. Gavin Newsom has acquired a 129-acre vineyard in northeastern Napa County for $14.5 million.... Read more
The North Coast wine grape harvest this year is underway, and hotter temperatures this season are poised to bring the season to an early finish.... Read more
The North Coast wine grape harvest will kick off within weeks with a crop that is likely to yield amounts below the historical average... Read more
The West Sonoma Coast Vintners is proud to announce the TTB’s approval of the newly established West Sonoma Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA). ... Read more
After several years of short wine grape crops in Napa Valley and Sonoma County, wine grape prices are moving in the right direction. ... Read more
Real estate markets are local. From Healdsburg to Sebastopol in Sonoma County, and Calistoga to Yountville in Napa Valley, wine country real estate is unique. ... Read more
2020 was a strange year in deed. That said, the numbers are in as we review the final grape crush report created by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.... Read more
The new normal. I really don’t like that phrase anymore. 2020 has brought with it so many “new” normals that it is hard to keep track. ... Read more
Wine Country Financing Options – Sonoma & Napa Counties One of the key components of purchasing a wine country property, whether it is a vineyard, estate, winery or bare land is the capital used to make the acquisition. Many buyers are going to require some sort of financing for a purchase or perhaps a line […]... Read more
When looking at wine country real estate it is helpful and interesting to see how wine grape prices are doing... Read more
We are currently observing vineyard estates, luxury homes and vineyards come on the market for various reasons. Locally, multiple high-profile Silicon Valley IPOs are going public and sellers are hoping to capitalize on newly minted millionaires.... Read more
The numbers are in and they tell a story of abundance. The 2018 wine grape harvest in Sonoma and Napa Counties was bountiful by any standard and the quality is equally outstanding. Each year we provide a breakdown of the current weighted average wine grape prices for popular varietals in Sonoma and Napa. […]... Read more
So you’re thinking about taking the plunge, living the dream and purchasing your own Napa Valley vineyard estate. Congratulations, it is an amazing place to live.... Read more
So where exactly is wine country? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard friends say that they are heading up to “Napa” for the weekend when they very well know that they are going to Healdsburg in northern Sonoma County. ... Read more