Prices

hi Wayne! if you're getting the typical 35 lb lug, that works out to about $33-$35 a box (duh!) Last year our guys in the Boston wholesale produce center were getting $22-$28 a box for CS depending on how well the wholesale vendor knew/liked you. The big wine hobby dealer in the 'burbs was getting in the mid $30's for the same Lodi grapes w/ a pre-order & NR deposit.

When last I spoke with our "godfather" at the end of April, he was already moaning about the upcoming freight charges & Diesel was still well under $4 a gallon. At that time he was about to start making this year's deals & ballparking high 20's to mid 30's per case average for reds AND he was considering cutting out all white grapes; he didn't think the demand here justified a whole trailerload at higher freight & doesn't want to chance a loss on them. That windy discourse being said... $35/box $1/lb. doesn't seem unreasonable now. One of the London papers claims that diesel fell 10% this week ( not reflected at pumps yet) and a couple of economists ( the guys in the tinfoil hats?) claim that the oil speculation peak has been reached therefore prices ought to drop soon. I take this with a shakerful of salt.

I look at it this way: the guys who've already signed their contracts aren't gonna be gouging here because there are enough vendors in our area to keep grape prices relatively consistent, but not cheap. Plus, they may short order on restocking which can keep prices up. My guy's also noticing a marked decline in the overall elder "goombah" population who were a big part of his base thus giving him another reason to keep inventory levels under control (and prices stable) since he had stock well into October last year & doesn't want a repeat this year. I'm expecting to pay low $30's but will try to wait & see how pricing plays out in reality. If a buck a pound is relatively consistent in Cleveland with last year's pricing then locking that price in seems like an attractive proposition now. Unless this year's crop takes it in the shorts & oil prices drop, then you're obligated to buy crappy grapes at a bogus price.

I'd wait if that's an option. Have any long range crop predictions been issued at this early date? Any bizarre weather patterns in the future? I don't know if you're buying from a produce broker or a smaller retailer, but I suspect that the greater Cleveland produce scene is similar to Boston's, so comparison shopping would be on my to-do list.

HTH, JMHO, YMMV, OMG WTF, etc, sorry for being long winded, regards, bob

As the ole saying goes, you gets what you pay for.

No, that price, IMHO is NOT high. Locally grown grapes here in Central Maryland cost more than that, BUT again IMHO the quality is better.

I have a backyard vineyard of 110 vines and if I had to figure out the cost per pound to grow my own wine - well, I could not afford to drink it.

I have made wine from the Central California grapes and although OK, is is just not my style. I do not like jammy, high alcohol, low acid wine.

This year I got some grapes from Argentina, in April (Malbec). The grapes were in great shape and the chemistries were perfect (not rocket fuel material). The price was about $140 for 50 kilos (110 pounds). Although still in carboy, I can say that so far the price was worth it.

If you are interested, the April / May issue of "Winemaker Magazine" has an article on South American grapes and distributors. It looks like there is a distributor in Lowellville, OH. I don't know where that is in Ohio. If you decide to go for it, you will have to wait until next spring - their seasons are the opposite of ours.

Wayne, You are close to me so our costs should be similar. I'm in Pittsburgh. We have two big suppliers of grapes and a couple smaller ones; Consumers Produce has a webite you can pricing on for comparison. Ron Casertano is the grape guy. Premier Produce doesn't have a website but just call them and ask for Jay in late August for info on grapes. Both sell Central Valley grapes and juice and both get an ungodly amount so pricing is usually pretty good. You are closer to Erie; you may want to check out Presque Isle Wine Cellars too.

I paid around $25 a 33-36 pound lug last year.

Joe

I get my juice / grapes from

He is in Hammonton NJ. It may be worth your time to order and pick up from him as I do. He gets Chilean ( done for this year ), California and Italian juice and grapes. Pricing is good. Tom