Wine Report of October 10, 2025

Here’s the updated daily briefing on the wine/winery sector, with recent data and strategic insights.

Key Updates (5–7 points)

• The estimated 2025 harvest for Italy is ~47.4 million hectoliters, 8% compared to 2024, with good overall quality.
• However, some more conservative estimates indicate that the harvest completed in over 75% of the territory (in progress) could bring in ~44 million hectolitres, confirming a good quality level but less generous volumes than expected.
• In France, due to the summer heatwave, the Ministry of Agriculture has reduced its 2025 production forecast to ~36 million hectoliters, −1% year-on-year and well below the five-year average.
• The California bulk wine market is reporting “flat/weak” prices due to slowing sales and competition between coastal and inland areas.
• Italian wine exports grew in the first months of 2025: exports exceeded €2.8 billion in the period considered.
• Globally, M&A activity in the wine sector is experiencing a “time out”: few significant transactions, greater focus on selective consolidations.
• An innovation to watch: the use of Artificial Intelligence for sustainable vineyard management, production, and wine tourism. The study highlights potential in predictive analytics, irrigation optimization, and personalized customer experience.

M&A Radar

Prices & Harvest (mini box)

Trend vs last year / careful notes:

• Volumes in Italy estimated to increase (8%) on some estimates but with more cautious downward revisions.
• In France, a physiological decline due to previous thermal stress and drought: some areas (Bordeaux, Languedoc) are in decline.
• Summer weather conditions (heat and drought) continue to influence yields and quality in many European countries.
• The bulk wine market is showing signs of price compression, especially in less distinctive regions.

Here’s the updated daily briefing on the wine/winery sector, with recent data and strategic insights.

Key Updates (5-7 points)

• In the first six months of 2025, Italian wine exports grew by 1.5% in value and 2.1% in volume , with top markets compensating for more fragile areas.
• The 2025 Italian harvest shows positive signs: increased volumes compared to recent years and quality judged “excellent/very good” in many regions.
• The Ciatti report notes that supplies of generic white wine are becoming “tight supply” — this reduces availability and regulates price pressure.
• In the “fine wine” segment, Bordeaux recorded an average price drop of 7.15% compared to 2024, with 80% of wines trading at lower values.
• Global vineyard valuations are undergoing corrections: up to a third lower in some key regions, due to the slowdown in global consumption.
• In the Champagne world, producers have cut the harvest by 10% to manage the supply/demand balance: the expected quality is high, while overall volumes remain under pressure.
• Innovation in Focus: A recent study analyzes the use of Artificial Intelligence in viticulture, production, and wine tourism to improve sustainability, efficiency, and experience personalization.

Prices & Harvest

M&A Radar

with the main trends, events, and useful signals for the world of wine and cellars:

Wine Report of October 8, 2025

Relevant news

1. French production revised downward for 2025. The French Ministry of Agriculture has reduced its 2025 wine production estimate to 36 million hectoliters (-1% vs. 2024), a full 16% below the five-year average, due to intense heat and drought. Interestingly, Champagne is an exception: production is expected to increase 14% year-over-year, though still below the historical average.
2. Champagne Demand to Revitalize Thanks to Quality Champagne producers are counting on improved grape quality in 2025 to stimulate a recovery in global demand, which has so far shown signs of contraction.
3. Tasting Room to Open for California’s Natural Wine Scene Martha Stoumen, an emerging figure in the natural wine movement, will open her first tasting room in Healdsburg, California, on October 9, 2025. The winery features Italian varietals such as Negroamaro and Nero d’Avola.
4. Trade tensions and the relaunch of Italian wineries in the US
   • Huge Italian investments and the “Sistema Italia” strategy are underway to relaunch the company’s presence in the United States during the Vinitaly.USA platform in Chicago.
   • US tariffs remain a critical issue: the US market is vital for Italian wine, with significant economic and strategic impacts if tariffs persist.
   • Six new “Italian Wine Ambassadors” were appointed during this year’s Vinitaly.USA, strengthening the representation and soft diplomacy of Italy’s wine industry.
5. Italy: 2025 harvest growing and leadership expected Italy is preparing to maintain world leadership in wine production in 2025, with approximately 47 million hectoliters , an 8% increase compared to 2024, driven by the contribution of the South (Sicily, Puglia).
6. Innovation and Sustainability: AI Enters Vineyards, Wineries, and Tourism. A recent study explores how Artificial Intelligence can guide sustainable management in viticulture, production, and wine tourism, with benefits for water efficiency, yield forecasting, preventative maintenance, and customer experience. arXiv
7. Milan Wine Week 2025 is live From October 4th to 12th, Milan hosts Wine Week, with masterclasses, immersive experiences, partnerships with local venues, the presentation of the “Wine List Italia 2025” and numerous events around the city.
8. Winery Spotlight: Librandi, Roots and Innovation in Calabria The history of the Librandi family emerges as an example of how tradition and innovation can coexist: three generations in the business, a strong local presence, and an international vision.

Trends and signals to consider

• Climate as a discriminating factor : declining production and regional fluctuations show how climate change is increasingly affecting the performance of wine-growing regions.
• Quality as a defense lever : Champagne and other premium appellations focus on improving quality to justify price positioning and resist commercial pressures.
• Reducing US dependence?: Remaining exposed to the US market is strategic, but competitive parallelism in other markets is needed to reduce the risk of tariffs.
• Enabling Technology : AI adoption is becoming a differentiating factor for those who want to optimize costs, sustainability and reputation.
• Narrative value of the territory : consolidated stories like Librandi can be used as strategic assets in brand storytelling to enhance authenticity and heritage.
• Pay attention to the timing of physical events : events like Milan Wine Week can become key moments for launching content, collaborations, and coordinated storytelling.

Here’s the updated daily briefing on the wine/winery sector, with recent data and strategic insights.

Recent Updates (5 – 7 points)

• The 2025 harvest in Italy is estimated at around 47.4 million hectolitres , with healthy grapes and a “very good / excellent” vintage in the main wine-growing areas.
• The wine cooperatives report qualitative balance : regular ripening, stable technical parameters and positive prospects despite climatic challenges that vary by region.
• In Puglia, production is expected to increase by ~17% compared to 2024 thanks to favorable weather, but grape prices remain under pressure, with calls for extraordinary measures to support farmers.
• Wine stocks in Italian cellars are high: approximately 36 million hectolitres as of July 31, 2025, and at the same time domestic consumption shows an estimated decline of 2%.
• On the Italian export front, the first half of 2025 shows a 1.5% increase in value, but a contraction in volumes (-3%) compared to the previous year.
• Exports to the United States are showing signs of weakness: in April 2025, Italian wine in the US recorded a decline of 7.5% in volume and 9.2% in value, following the introduction of tariffs.
• Among the notable M&A transactions: The Wine Group completed the acquisition of brands and facilities from Constellation Brands—including Meiomi, Woodbridge, SIMI—strengthening its premium and infrastructure portfolio.

M&A Radar

Prices & Harvest (mini box)

• Grape / bulk wine prices (when available) Currently, there are no updated official prices for all the main Italian DOCs, but there is evidence of strong downward pressure on common wines and “cash” grapes due to the high supply.
• Trend compared to the previous year / weeks • In Puglia: 17% of grape production compared to 2024, but static or falling prices. • Inventories (36 Mhl) increase the risk of market saturation and price compression.
• Yields, climate, and local characteristics • Harvest began early almost everywhere in Italy thanks to favorable weather, with peaks of 10-20% less than average weather expectations in some areas of central and northern Italy. • Cooperatives report balanced ripening and good technical parameters in areas ranging from Sicily to Veneto.