Below, please find a list of the latest bulk wine and grape opportunities and needs. These selections are not always available and discussing interest with your friendly local Turrentine Broker soon may be the first step to an advantageous business strategy.

Grapes

Available: Mountain Appellated Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, various sites

Available: Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, truckload quantities

Available: Sonoma Valley one load of Semillon and truckload quantities of Chardonnay

Available: Russian River Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, multiple lots

Available: Mendocino County Gewurztraminer, truckload quantities

Available: Dry Creek Valley benchland Zinfandel, small lots and truckload quantities

Available: Lake County Sauvignon Blanc, large quantities and truckload lots

Available: District 12 Eastside Oakdale Cabernet Sauvignon, 200 tons

Available: Lodi Petite Sirah, load quantities

Available: Santa Lucia and Chualar Canyon Pinot Noir

Available: Planting opportunities eastside Lodi and District 12

Needed: Muscat and Malbec; load quantities

Needed: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon West of Highway 29

Bulk Wine

Available: Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010, large lots

Available: Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2009 and 2010, multiple lots

Available: Alexander Valley, Viognier, 2010, 3,000 gallon lot

Available: Napa Valley Semillion, 2010, 2,500 gallon lot

Available: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010, multiple lots

Available: Central Coast Albarino, 2010, 8,000 gallons

Available: Muscat Canelli, Various appellations, multiple small lots

Available: Amador County Reds, 2009 and 2010

Available: California Appellation Pinot Noir, 2010

Available: Sparkling Wines, various vintages

Available: Paso Robles Zinfandel, 2009 and 2010

Available: All appellations, Chardonnay, 2010

Available: Great opportunities for 2009 Chardonnay at bargain prices

Available: Napa Valley Petite Sirah, 2010

Available: Santa Barbara Grenache Blanc, 2010

Available: Clarksburg Port, 2007, 3,000 gallon lot

Available: California and Central Coast Pinot Grigio, 2009 and 2010, multiple lots

Needed: Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, 2010

Needed: California Pinot Noir, 2010

Needed: Zinfandel from all California appellations, 2009

Needed: Alexander Valley Reds

Needed: Cabernet Sauvignon from all California appellations, 2009 and 2010

Needed: Malbec from all California appellations, 2009 and 2010

Needed: Russian River Pinot Noir

Kelly Mahoney
Sales Support Grapes

The Preliminary California Grape Crush Report released today shows the total crop of winegrapes harvested in 2010 was 3.58 million tons, down only 3% from 2009, making 2010 the third largest crop in history after 2009 and 2005.

“Perhaps the most important news for the California wine industry is that Interior region Cabernet Sauvignon production declined by almost 13,000 tons – the equivalent of almost a million cases, while sales of this value priced Cabernet Sauvignon are growing at a fast rate.  Some of this shortfall is balanced by a larger crop of Cabernet Sauvignon on the Central Coast.”

– Steve Fredricks, President, Turrentine Brokerage

“The best news for the California wine business was the lighter crop of Chardonnay in the Central Valley, which was down 62,000 tons, or 10.5 million gallons. That decrease should help Chardonnay inventories move towards balance as casegoods sales continue to increase – especially at the value end of the market.”

– Brian Clements, Vice President, Turrentine Brokerage

“Overall, Chardonnay, the largest variety, was down a substantial 10% statewide in 2010 compared to 2009, which is a decrease of 12 million gallons or almost 60 million bottles (over – 5 million cases). The lower yields were mostly in the areas supplying value-priced brands which are growing but face competition from low-cost imports.”

– Steve Fredricks, President, Turrentine Brokerage

“Production in the Northern Interior was down 22% compared to a record year in 2009, whereas in the Southern Interior, production increased by 5% due to maturing and newly planted acres.  Demand continues to be strong for these grapes priced to produce wines below $10 per bottle.”

– Erica Moyer, Partner/Broker, Turrentine Brokerage

The crop of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes – the largest red wine variety – was similar in overall volume to the 2009 crop.  Demand is strong for this variety in the interior and on the Central Coast, although not necessarily at sustainable prices.  Inventories of bulk wine for sale are also declining. Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley was a roughly average crop, which is bigger than expected. Early reports on quality are very good.”

– Brian Clements, Vice President, Turrentine Brokerage

“According to proprietary research conducted by Turrentine Brokerage, the overall inventory position of the industry is much better today than it was a year ago.  Many brands have successfully paired inventories down and are now in need of wine to satisfy growing sales.  Wine consumption continued to grow through the recession, but some consumers ‘traded down’ to less expensive wines.  We’re starting to see those consumers trade back up – which is good news for wineries and growers.”

– Steve Fredricks, President, Turrentine Brokerage

“The North Coast region experienced a decrease of 5% in crop size overall, which was generally bigger then expected.  The growing season was especially challenging in 2010, with relatively cool weather, interrupted by one intense heat spike, and then heavy rains as harvest approached.”

– Audra Cooper, Broker, Turrentine Brokerage

“While the overall industry supply position is balanced for most varieties, there continues to be some excess supply of the most expensive inventory.  Many brands at higher price points have seen sales slow because of the recession.  As the economy continues to recover and consumer confidence grows, the excess at the high-end is likely to disappear and eventually a shortage will develop.”

– Brian Clements, Vice President, Turrentine Brokerage

“Although the winegrape crop was down statewide, we had an above average crop on the Central Coast – up 5% from average.  Several red varieties were well above average, led by Cabernet Sauvignon (up 22%), Syrah (up 22%), and Merlot (up 16%).  Pinot Noir was down 8% from 2009, but was by far the second largest Pinot Noir crop in history on the Central Coast, due to newly planted acres coming into production. Demand remains strong for grapes and wine on the Central Coast, however average prices are still well below the pre-recession levels.”

– Matt Turrentine, Broker, Turrentine Brokerage

“The lower crop levels are helpful to wineries at the luxury end of the wine business as they continue to balance inventories. Wineries marketing value-priced brands would have liked to see a larger crop to continue to fuel the success of wines retailing under $10 per bottle.”

– Steve Fredricks, President, Turrentine Brokerage

Turrentine Brokerage fosters structured strategic relationships with strong brokers in major wine growing regions around the world.  Following, is an update from Jaime Lagos of San Nicolas Wine Services, our strategic alliance partner in Argentina, discussing the bulk wine market in Argentina as the 2011 harvest approaches.  Please contact Turrentine Brokerage if you have any further questions about the opportunities in the Argentine, Chilean, Australian, Italian, Spanish or French wine markets in addition to the domestic markets.

Dear Friends,

The wine market in Argentina is quite stable.  Grape producers started delivering to wineries in the north (La Rioja), and in one week will be starting in San Juan, two weeks in Mendoza.

There is no clear view about what the final prices will be for the grapes, but it looks like there are enough offers, which shows some tendency toward wine prices maintaining in the beginning and ending the harvest again by taking step by step down.

La Rioja.

Volumes and quality are good. This area has less risk of frost and hail than the other provinces, and their production is much more stable. Torrontes and Syrah looks good.

San Juan.

First  analysis indicates that this province will have about 17.7% more production than last year; about 767 million kilos of grapes. Sanity is very good! There was some high temperature this summer, but that is usual for this area. There is still some availability of red grapes that some producers can’t commit with wineries.

Mendoza.

Looks like this province will have just about 1.7% production over last year, which means about 1.800 million kilos of grapes. This is not been a very hot summer; mainly high temperatures went to 30° to 35 ° Celsius, and humidity has been normal (20 to 50%) and not too many summer rainstorms. The thing that most worries grape growers is the lack of water that Mendoza is suffering from, with controlled irrigation shifts. As there is not much snow on the Andes and all dams have less volumes than average.

There is still some speculation regarding the final production numbers on Uco Valle, where a big frost came in mid November. Will have to wait until the end of March to get a clearer view of the good quality Malbec production numbers. This particular situation combined with the constant increase of demand of Malbec from abroad can push standard Malbecs into higher prices. The rest of varietals should maintain the same as last year prices.

Neuquen.

This small production area in Patagonia has always frost risk due to their geographical location, but this year there is no significant issues that can move the average numbers. There is an interesting growing Malbec production there, with good color and natural high sugar wines due to the short fermentation process they have. Wine production is becoming interesting day by day on that location, with nice Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs, obviously besides Malbec.

Variety	FCA Mendoza Price	Pesos	Tendency
Dry White	USD 0,46	$ 1,80	maintain
Chenin	USD 0,48	$ 1,90	maintain
Ugni Blanc	USD 0,46	$ 1,80	maintain
Pedro Jimenez	USD 0,46	$ 1,80	maintain
Sauvinon Blanc	USD 0,94	$ 3,70	maintain
Chardonnay	USD 0,94	$ 3,70	maintain
Torrontes	USD 0,63	$ 2,50	maintain
dry Red	USD 0,81	$ 3,20	maintain
Bonarda	USD 0,75	$ 2,95	maintain
Tempranillo	USD 0,71	$ 2,80	maintain
Merlot	USD 0,76	$ 3,00	maintain
Syrah	USD 0,96	$ 3,80	up
Cabernet	USD 1,10	$ 4,35	up
Malbec	USD 1,20	$ 4,75	seriously up