Marketplace All-in-One California wine grapes rot on the vine
Dec 4, 2025
Tina Caputo, a Marketplace reporter focusing on vineyard conditions, shares the heartbreaking reality of California grape growers as Zinfandel grapes are left to rot. She interviews growers about their emotional struggles amid dwindling wine consumption and looming economic crises. Diane Swank, Chief Economist at KPMG, adds insight on the labor market's challenges and the Federal Reserve's impending decisions on interest rates. Together, they explore the profound effects of changing consumer habits on the wine industry and broader economic factors.
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Wine Drinking Has Declined Significantly
- California wine consumption is falling, with per capita wine down about 12% since 2019.
- That drop is reshaping vineyards and threatening grape demand statewide.
Vines Left Heavy With Rotting Fruit
- Katie Bocigalupi-Rowe found half her vineyard left unharvested despite a great vintage.
- She described the grapes as smelling like raisins and mold and called it a little sad.
Mass Vineyard Removal Signals Crisis
- Growers ripped out almost 40,000 acres of vineyards in the last year due to collapsing demand.
- Combined pressures include younger consumers drinking less wine and competition from other alcoholic beverages.