California harvest smallest in 50 years

California’s 2025 wine vintage is shaping up to be high in quality but historically low in volume, with industry leaders warning that the state may record its smallest grape harvest in more than half a century.

The season has been cool and dry, producing excellent fruit across many regions. Yet an oversupply of unsold wine and high farming costs mean swathes of vineyards may go unharvested. Allied Grape Growers president Jeff Bitter has suggested yields could fall below 2m tons, a level not seen since 1972, despite California having far more vines in the ground.

Growers like Tom Sinton of Starfield Vineyards are deliberately dropping fruit to cut costs, while others are stepping back entirely. For consumers, however, the crisis could mean only the best grapes are turned into wine. “The quality so far has been exceptional,” said Martha Barra of Barra of Mendocino.