"Kruse, who will remain CEO, is refocusing on building national partnerships to promote Sonoma County's wine region while working to expand market demand for local wines. Ten years ago, our board wasn't talking about helping wineries sell wine it was all about promoting our grapes, Kruse said. But in order for us to be successful today, we need to help our winery partners move through their inventories, find new markets and help the bulk marketplace. If we do that, we'll increase their ability to buy Sonoma County grapes."
"In 2025, California crushed between 2 million and 2.5 million tons of wine grapes, a 25-year low according to Turrentine Brokerage in Novato. In response to the sluggish wine market, many producers have scaled back production, leaving growers with unsold fruit and an oversupply of wine on the bulk market. To balance supply and demand, growers have been pulling vines across the state, with 38,000 acres removed between October 2024 and August 2025. In Sonoma County, 2,700 acres were pulled, while 3,100 acres were removed in Napa County."
Sonoma County Winegrowers reorganized its leadership and strategic focus to better support local wineries and address market challenges. Jennifer Dieckmann was named executive director and will handle day-to-day operations and community engagement, while Karissa Kruse will remain CEO and concentrate on building national partnerships and expanding market demand. The California wine industry faces a 25-year low in crushed grape tonnage, prompting reduced production, unsold fruit, and an oversupply on the bulk market. Growers removed thousands of acres statewide, and the organization plans to convert grower investments into wine sales and business opportunities for wineries buying Sonoma County grapes.
Read at www.pressdemocrat.com
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