California Grape Farmers Abandon Vineyards Amid Rising Costs and Falling Demand

Californias Lodi grape farmers are abandoning vineyards due to soaring costs and decreased demand, threatening the regions wine heritage and economic stability.

• In the last two years, Lodi, Lombardy grape growers have removed thousands of acres of vines, representing a quarter of the regions grape production.
• Randy Baranek, a generational farmer in California, expressed concern over unprecedented challenges facing the grape and wine industry amid rising import competition.
• The decline in vineyard acreage has significant implications for Californias wine market, particularly for iconic varieties like Zinfandel that define the regions identity.