Wine Grape Biz Still Buzzing

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, Calif. (KCBS)  -- Even with the down economy, the outlook for California's wine grape industry is rose, er, rosy.

Winemakers should have no problem finding fruit this year. Nat DiBuduo, President of Allied Grape Growers, said the 2008 crush came in at about 2.8 million tons. "Demand has maintained a good steady growth."

Dibuduo admitted the ailing economy has wine buyers changing their choices though, purchasing more wine at $10 dollar a bottle or under.

"It doesn't mean people are still not buying wines above $10. There still is good movement there," said Dibuduo. "It's just that, we saw in 2007, many of the consumers were trading up in wine prices because the economy was stronger."

Dibuduo added that many of the bigger wineries have gobbled up the smaller labels.

As for new vineyard plantings last year in California, Dibuduo said about 36% were Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Pinot Grigio. There are approximately 780,000 acres of wine grapes statewide.