It is no secret that climate change is impacting the flavor and quality of grapes worldwide. Why should the small producers be especially concerned? First, as the climate changes so does the not just the ability to grow the grapes we all know and love, but also the ability to buy them.

Yes, buy them. Many of the smallest producers purchase fruit from other growers to round out their offerings. This practice of buying grapes is common even among the larger producers and there is the rub. As it is, a winery that producers 2,000 cases of wine a year pays out nearly twice as much to produce those 2,000 cases as a winery that produces 20,000 cases per year. Economies of scale in the wine industry don’t even begin to kick in until a winery passes the 5,000 case mark. As varieties become more scarce simple economics tell us prices will increase.

Hasn’t there been a lot of talk about moving to lessor know varieties that could perform better in the changing environment? Yes, I have heard that at conferences too. It may not be as simple as it looks on that powerpoint.

I read a really easy to digest, and very good article about the potential and impacts of climate change on wineries. If you are interested, here is link. Read More