Media Advisory: Release of Wine Grape Crush Report Reveals Low Inventories Impacting the Future of California Wine, Experts Explain

NOVATO, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 9, 2012) -

WHAT:
The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2011 is a critical barometer for the wine and grape industry, containing prices and tons of wine grapes crushed during the 2011 harvest. The Crush Report provides growers and wineries insight into the inventory position for the California wine business as a whole, and influences market dynamics for the current bulk wine market as well as the upcoming 2012 harvest.

WHEN:
CDFA is scheduled to release the Grape Crush Report at Noon on Friday, February 10, 2012.

ANALYSIS:
The Crush Report is likely to show that the 2011 California wine grape crop decreased from 2010 for most of the key varieties. The growing season was especially challenging in 2011, with relatively cool weather, incidents of frost damage and problematic rains as harvest approached. This lighter crop comes at a time when industry inventories are near record lows, and has put upward pressure on bulk wine and grape pricing.

WHO:
Turrentine Brokerage, California's largest wine grape and bulk wine brokerage company, has a team dedicated to be trusted and strategic advisors to wineries, growers and financiers. Turrentine Brokerage is available to provide comment and analysis on this report and its probable impact on growers, wineries and consumers.

Turrentine Brokerage will have its experienced team of grape and wine brokers and analysts available all day Friday, and throughout the week, for comment and questions.