NASHVILLE, TN – California’s total grape acreage declined in 2024, with wine-type and table-type grape plantings both falling year over year. Wine-type grapes, which make up 70 percent of the state’s vineyard acreage, totaled 590,000 acres, down 3.3 percent from 2023 and 7 percent below the 2018–19 peak. Of these, 93 percent were bearing. Red wine grapes continued to dominate, led by Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. Pinot Noir acreage has more than doubled since the early 2000s, while Zinfandel has declined.
Table-type grape acreage also fell 4 percent to 120,000 acres. Leading varieties included Flame Seedless, Autumn King, and Scarlet Royal. Meanwhile, fresh grape exports rebounded in 2024/25, rising 23 percent following hurricane damage the prior year. Imports also hit a record, topping 2 billion pounds, with most coming from Peru, Chile, and Mexico. USDA will issue a new production forecast in August. As of mid-July, movement data suggests a slower start to the 2025/26 season despite favorable early growing conditions.