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Wine Report of September 30, 2025

with updated useful insights as a basis for the wine/cellar sector:

Relevant News & Trends (Latest Update)

  • Italian wine production for 2025 has been revised downward: Legacoop reports lower-than-expected yields, with a final forecast of approximately 44 million hl, despite the grape quality being considered high.
  • The harvest in Italy is more than 75% complete and some regions that had abundant production in 2024 are recording drops of 10-20%.
  • In the US market, despite the drop in volumes, the value of the wine market is recovering: the Wine Market Report 2025 (BMO) reports a 4% share of sales value in the United States.
  • The Vinitaly.USA 2025 initiative aims to consolidate the presence of Italian wine in the United States with 250 exhibitors and an export volume of 345 million liters in 2024 (US imports $2.25 billion).
  • France has secured approval for a €5 billion aid plan to support wine exports to the US amid transatlantic tariff tensions.
  • In the UK, Chapel Down winery has cancelled a £32 million project for a new winery, citing slowing domestic demand and the need to rein in investment.
  • Artificial intelligence is gaining traction as a strategic tool for sustainability and efficiency: the study “Artificial Intelligence for the Sustainable Wine Industry” explores practical applications in viticulture, winemaking, and wine tourism.

M&A Radar

Deal / RumorParties involvedSize (if known)Geographical areaSource / date
Acquisition of Tenuta Ulisse by White BridgeTenuta Ulisse, White Bridge Investments IInot disclosedItaly, Campania
Premium Consolidations and Acquisitionswine operators/funds targeting quality assetsselectiveItaly / Europe
Chapel Down wine project cancelledChapel Down (UK)approx. £32 million investment abortedR

Prices & Harvest (mini box)

  • Yields in Italy are disappointing compared to initial estimates, suggesting a realignment of the supply-demand balance that is favorable to supporting prices.
  • The production drops particularly affect regions that had had abundant production in 2024 (decreases of 10-20%).
  • There is currently no recent public data available on spot prices for grapes or bulk wine, but the context suggests upward pressure for those who can guarantee quality and differentiation.
  • Climatic phenomena (drought in the south, rain during the flowering phase in the north) have negatively affected yields, but not – for the moment – the quality of the grapes.

Wine Report of September 28, 2025

information from the world of wine and wineries.

Recent News (5–7 points)

  • Heitz Cellar is changing a historic partnership: for the 2025 harvest, it will no longer purchase all of its grapes from Martha’s Vineyard, breaking a tradition spanning more than 60 years.
  • Chapel Down (UK) abandons £32m plan for new winery in Canterbury, citing weak demand for English wine.
  • In France, wine production in 2025 is estimated at 37.4 million hectoliters (a slight increase on the previous year) but below the five-year average, due to heat waves and summer drought.
  • In the United States, some California wineries are reporting that state bureaucracy is hindering operations, exacerbating an already complex situation in the local wine industry.
  • In the first 6 months of 2025, Italian wine exports recorded growth in value of 1.5% (approximately €2.8 billion) and in volume of 2.1% (703.5 million litres) in the main world markets.
  • In Australia, the bulk wine market is under pressure: grape purchase prices (“crush prices”) are weak despite a slight recovery in demand.
  • The academic study “Artificial intelligence for sustainable wine industry” (July 2025) confirms that AI is increasingly implementable to optimize irrigation, monitoring, winemaking process management, and wine tourism strategies.

M&A Radar / Current Operations

Deal / rumorParties involvedValue (if known)Geography / focusSource / date
Gallo acquires Whiny Baby (a Gen Z-oriented brand)Rooster / Whiny Babynot disclosedUSA / Youth & Alternative Market

Prices & Harvest (mini box)

  • Italy – 2025 harvest Estimated production is around 47.4 million hectolitres , an 8% increase compared to 2024. Grapes generally in good health, favorable climatic conditions in many regions.
  • Bulk wine prices & market
    • In Australia: pressure on bulk markets, with weak grape prices and low demand for bulk wine.
    • In the US / California: Expected stable or slight contractions in bulk values, given the persistent weakness of the market.
  • Territorial notes
    • In Franciacorta, the harvest began with excellent prospects: healthy grapes, a balanced climate, and an estimated 7% increase in exports.
    • In southern Italy (Puglia, Abruzzo, Calabria), yield increases are recorded (even 15-25%) compared to 2024, while in Tuscany a 15% decrease is reported.

Wine Report of September 27, 2025

information from the world of wine and wineries.

Recent news (5–7 points)

  • Masi Agricola has secured €40 million in financing from a banking syndicate to support strategic and infrastructure objectives, including its “Experiential Hub Monteleone 21.”
  • Heitz Cellar (Napa) is breaking with historic tradition: for the 2025 harvest, it will no longer purchase all of Martha’s Vineyard’s production, selling part of the grapes to other producers.
  • Chapel Down (UK) abandons £32m winery project in Canterbury, citing stagnant demand for English wines.
  • Vinarchy (Pernod Ricard/Accolade merger) has consolidated 11 wineries and its headquarters in Adelaide, focusing on the relaunch of the Hardys, Jacob’s Creek and Campo Viejo brands.
  • Table wine sales in the United States are declining: over the last 52 weeks, volume has fallen by 6.2%, reflecting declining demand.
  • In Italy, a “bountiful” 2025 harvest is expected: estimates indicate around 47.4 million hectolitres , with growth compared to 2024.
  • The academic study “Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Wine Industry” (July 2025) confirms that AI technologies (machine learning, computer vision, predictive models) can optimize irrigation, soil management, winemaking processes, and the wine tourism experience.

M&A Radar / Current Operations

Deal / rumorParties involvedValue (if known)Geography / focusSource / date
Vinarchy (Pernod Ricard & Accolade merger)Pernod Ricard / Accolade → Vinarchynot fully disclosedAustralia / Consolidation of global brands
Iris Vineyards → WarRoom CellarsAcquisitionunknownUSA / Napa (boutique winery)

Prices & Harvest (mini box)

  • 2025 Harvest – Italy : estimated at ~47.4 million hectoliters, up from 2024.
  • Inventories & Domestic Demand : Food inventories remain stable until July 31, 2025, and the large-scale retail sector is showing positive trends for sparkling wines.
  • Prices / trends on bottled / bulk / DOC wines • In Italian large-scale retail trade, DOC wines recorded a -0.9% in value and a -2.4% in volume in 2024; DOCG wines decreased by -1.8% in value / -3.1% in volume. • During 2025, in various markets, a decrease in table wine sales in the United States was recorded (volume -6.2%).
  • Climate conditions / yields : alert for water stress and heat waves in some Italian regions — risk of quality decline and regional variability.

Wine Trends in Italy from September 22nd to 26th, 2025

The Italian wine market continues to experience challenging times, with tariffs, falling prices, and new cultural and commercial challenges.

US exports: mixed signals

In the United States, Italy’s leading trading partner, July 2025 saw a significant decline in value of 21.1%. In the first seven months of the year, the overall figure was down 1.1% (€1.2 billion), although volumes grew (6.1%). The average price per liter fell to €5.48 (-6.8%), further compressing margins.
Sparkling wines are holding up better: up 4.3% in value (€357.3 million) and 14% in volume, but with prices falling to €4.63/liter (-8.5%). Bottled wines are struggling (-2.7% in value, but down 4.3% in volume), while bulk wines are plummeting (-39.5%).

France in the lead

In July, France surpassed Italy in exports to the US: €185.2 million versus €148.2 million. In the first seven months of 2025, French exports grew by 16.8% (€1.4 billion), with an average price nearly double that of Italy (€11.97/liter). Sparkling and bottled wines drove the performance, confirming their greater ability to hold up prices.

The cultural front: the appeal to the UN

The International Wine Academy has launched an appeal to world leaders to defend wine as a cultural, social, and human heritage, against the risk of it being reduced to a mere health threat. Among the signatories are prominent Italian winemakers such as Gaja, Zanella, Cinelli Colombini, and Lageder. The Academy emphasizes the value of moderate consumption, supported by recent scientific studies, and the need to preserve wine’s cultural identity.

New consumers in the US

The future of Italian wine also depends on renewing its target audience. UIV-Vinitaly and IWSR analyses indicate that the next American “wine lovers” will be primarily young people (Gen Z and Millennials), with a strong presence of Hispanic, African-American, and Asian consumers. States like Texas, California, Illinois, and Georgia thus become key markets for tapping into these new, high-potential communities.

Consortium strategies and the impact of tariffs

The sector is preparing for Vinitaly.USA (Chicago, October 5-6), a strategic event to gauge market reaction and defend Italy’s role in the United States. Consortia are facing a generous and high-quality harvest, but US tariffs—which rose to 15% on August 7—risk costing Italian companies up to €460 million. According to the UIV Wine Observatory, in the first three months of application, the duties have already generated an additional cost of $61 million and a 13.5% drop in import prices.

In short: Italian wine remains a leading player in the United States, but 2025 marks a crossroads: on the one hand, the challenge of prices and tariffs, on the other, the urgency of conquering new consumers and defending the cultural dimension of wine globally.

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