Maximizing Profitability Amidst Industry Challenges
By: Roberto Iturralde, Agronomic Service Representative, Syngenta
As harvest season approaches, wine grape growers face a unique combination of challenges—from fluctuating market dynamics to increasing labor costs and the ever-present threat of disease.
To stay competitive in today’s market, it’s essential for growers to adopt targeted strategies that balance cost management with optimized production. Though the table grape sector has faced challenges, it has not been impacted as severely as the wine grape industry.
Weathering Through the Wine Industry
The current wine grape market presents significant difficulties for growers. According to the Wine Institute, California wine production in 2023 reached only 606 million gallons, one of the lowest levels on record since 2015. Additionally, the state’s 2024 harvest was the lightest in two decades, down more than 25% from the previous year, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Compounding these issues, wine grape supply continues to overwhelm demand, lowering the price of wine grape varieties. The same California Department of Food and Agriculture report found that the average price for all grape varieties decreased to $992.51 in 2024, a 4.5% drop from 2023.
The ongoing supply-demand imbalance in the wine grape industry is forcing growers to make difficult decisions, including reducing vineyard acreage. In a recent interview with Ag Alert, Jeff Bitter, president of Allied Grape Growers, emphasized the continued oversupply and urged for the removal of 50,000 acres in 2025. This follows an estimated 37,500 acres that have already been pulled between the 2023 and 2024 harvests. Bitter hopes these measures will help stabilize the market.
As many contracts between growers and winemakers go unrenewed and the return on investment is increasingly uncertain, growers must carefully consider every input cost to maximize their bottom line this harvest.
To navigate these obstacles, diversification is key. While older vineyards are dropping acreage at higher rates to mitigate supply challenges, younger vineyards have diversified their portfolios by switching wine grape varieties to meet demand needs and stay in business. As harvest season approaches, it may be time for growers to reevaluate variety types to improve the likelihood of their crops being purchased in the future.
Meticulous vineyard planning will also be vital. Optimizing irrigation, fertilization and canopy management can help reduce input costs while maintaining quality, making grapes more attractive to potential buyers. Balancing these decisions with the realities of market conditions is essential for long-term success.
Optimizing Labor and Equipment for Cost-Efficient Harvesting
Labor represents one of the highest costs for wine grape growers, especially during harvest. Not to mention the California state minimum wage has more than doubled in the last 12 years – from $8 in 2013 to $16.50 in 2025 – while the price of grapes is on a decline. Thus, efficiently managing labor is crucial, and when paired with the right equipment, growers can significantly reduce expenses while also maintaining productivity.
One of the most effective ways to manage labor costs is to minimize the number of tasks requiring manual intervention during harvesting. For instance, reducing the number of sprays can cut down on labor needs. By using high-performing solutions with extended control periods, growers can reduce the frequency of applications, lowering both labor and product costs over time.
Another approach is to plan operations carefully to ensure that labor is allocated efficiently. Scheduling tasks like pruning, thinning and harvesting during optimal conditions can help avoid costly delays and overtime expenses.
In addition to optimizing labor for cost efficiency, many growers look to machines to fill the gaps when workers are few and far between and at higher costs. The long-held belief that hand-harvested grapes are superior has become increasingly abandoned, as upwards of 80% of California’s wine grapes are now machine-picked. Growers can also choose to alternate between hand harvesting and mechanical harvesters to give vines a break from the rough handling of the machinery every couple of years.
While the upfront cost of mechanical equipment may be significant, the long-term savings in labor costs can make it a worthwhile investment. Mechanical harvesters can handle large acreage in a fraction of the time that it would take a manual workforce, allowing growers to be less reliant on seasonal labor.
Additionally, using modern pruning and spraying equipment can speed up operations and improve treatment consistency to help maximize the return on investment. Mechanical leaf and sucker removal can also be done before harvest to help prevent disease, especially in humid environments, and to unmask bunches for picking, which in turn reduces harvesting time. Properly functioning machinery not only saves time but also minimizes the risk of crop damage, which can affect yields and quality. Growers who utilize machinery should take caution to maintain and calibrate equipment regularly to ensure peak performance during harvest.
Early Detection of Diseases
A profitable harvest season begins with healthy vines, and disease management is paramount to achieving optimal yields. Amidst industry challenges and rising labor costs, every vineyard management decision is critical, including how growers monitor and prevent disease outbreaks.
Common diseases like powdery mildew can wreak havoc on vineyards if not addressed promptly. It’s essential to identify potential disease outbreaks early by closely monitoring crop development throughout the season. Initial symptoms of powdery mildew may appear on leaves as chlorotic spots on the upper leaf surface. As spores are produced and spread to the lower leaf surface, the infected areas take on a white, powdery or dusty appearance, which may eventually overtake the entire grape surface.
Regular scouting for disease symptoms can help growers take timely action before the infection escalates. Using advanced technologies, such as remote monitoring solutions and digital imaging, can further improve the accuracy of disease detection.
Proactive Disease Management
As bud break occurs, sulfur dusting can provide an economical protective barrier on grape leaves and stems, preventing fungal diseases like powdery mildew from infecting the plant. Once there is an active infection, growers will typically transition from sulfur dusting to a more powerful chemical that can provide extended control. As vines mature into the bloom stage through bunch closure and veraison, a premium spray may be necessary for effective disease management to maximize yield potential at harvest.
Incorporating an effective fungicide into a comprehensive spray program can significantly aid in disease protection and prevention. A FRAC 3/7 fungicide like Aprovia® Top delivers preventive activity and extended broad-spectrum control of powdery mildew and other common grape diseases, which reduces the need for frequent applications and lowers overall input costs.
A versatile tank-mix option can serve as a valuable resistance management tool and can also be effective in rotation programs with other modes of action. Consider a fungicide that also offers plant health benefits, which can lead to higher yield potential and quality fruit at harvest. Combining fungicide use with cultural practices, such as improved air circulation through canopy management, can further reduce disease pressure.
Balancing disease prevention with cost management is an ongoing challenge for growers. By investing in high-quality products that offer long-term efficacy, growers can reduce the number of inputs required over the season, while maximizing ROI and yield potential.
A Look into the Future
Preparing for the harvest season requires wine grape growers to adopt a multifaceted approach that addresses economic, operational and agronomic challenges. By understanding market dynamics and adapting vineyard management practices accordingly, growers can better position themselves for success in an uncertain industry. Efficient labor and equipment utilization further enhance operational effectiveness, while proactive crop monitoring and disease prevention can maximize yield potential and improve fruit quality.
In these challenging times, strategic planning and innovation are vital for continued success in the wine grape industry. By implementing these tips, growers will be better equipped to navigate through future complexities and uncertain times.
For more information about Aprovia Top fungicide, visit https://www.syngenta-us.com/fungicides/aprovia-top
Author Biography:
Roberto Iturralde is an Agronomic Service Representative with Syngenta in Fresno, CA. He is also a Certified Crop Advisor and Pest Control Advisor, specializing in permanent crops including grapes, tree nuts, citrus and more. He can be reached at roberto.iturralde@syngenta.com.
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