California shrinking

California has lost more than 47,000 acres of vineyards in a year as growers respond to falling wine demand and changing consumer habits, highlighting the scale of the industry’s ongoing challenges.

New mapping data from the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) shows the state’s vineyard area fell by almost 10% through August, leaving 439,115 acres of standing vines.

The survey, conducted by agricultural science firm Land IQ, combined remote sensing, artificial intelligence and field checks to map vineyards across California.

The decline reflects a difficult market, with inflation and changing consumer preferences putting pressure on wine sales. Demand for commodity wines has weakened, prompting growers to remove vines and adjust production to match the market.

However, the true picture could be worse. The figures include vineyards that are minimally farmed, mothballed or abandoned, as well as productive sites, meaning the area actively producing grapes may be considerably smaller.

CAWG president Natalie Collins said the data highlights tough decisions facing farming families, employees and local businesses as the industry works to rebuild demand for California wine.