Don’t look now, but the bulk wine market is showing signs of life. This is what the old heads called a Harbinger or “The ol’ Canary in the Coal Mine”.

The curves of supply and demand have been in the midst of a reckoning. Prices have continued to fall. What can be found listed publicly and what’s trading have no actual relationship, but transactions are picking up to nearly levels of 3 years ago. Large volumes and low prices are ruling the day, but not completely.

What has been an underestimated factor of the bulk wine market has been quality. The $20-$30/bottle price point is moving right now. Buyers selling in that space are able to deliver great value to their consumers for wines in the low to mid teens per gallon for wines that would have been $30/gallon or more in 2021-2022. The consumer is winning here and it’s good for who we’re trying to attract.

In this part of the cycle, new buyers are introduced to wines that over deliver whether it be great value on Napa Cabernet, Willamette Pinot, or Walla Walla reds. This gives a platform for price graduation over time for achieving luxury brands.

This trend has built and developed over the last 6 months in several markets. It’s no longer anecdotal.

A little louder for the people in the back! Wine is coming back.