Ah, 2025. Now that it's done, we can talk about it without it being offended. What an interesting year it has been, and I'll add that it has had its share of challenges too (at least for small business).
But let's start on the positive, shall we? First of all, for those of us who harvested grapes in 2025, the quality of the vintage is especially exciting. As we rack the very last of the 2025's today (first rackings), all the wines (white, red and rose) are all tasting amazing with great structure and purity of characters. That can't be said for all vintages, so I think 2025 is an exceptional year (and fun to bottle!) to search out.
Secondly, the 2025 calendar year gave Madroña our best year of accolades that we've ever seen. The wine critics were particularly interested in our wines with the number of 90+ point awards being more than we've ever been awarded. I believe this also highlights the fact that the El Dorado appellation is being taken more seriously by the wine media as a whole for our cooler-climate expressions and great acidity (which the 2025 vintage is showing as well). And it wasn't only Madroña shaking up the wine world. The El Dorado 8 wineries certainly impressed the wine writers across the board. That's exciting!!!
But now let's talk a little bit about the elephant in the room, the lull the wine industry seems to be in right now. This "lull" isn't just in California, but it is being felt around the world in different countries. Within California, I have read stories that a changing interest in alcohol is impacting the industry with some wineries being down 35% or more. This coupled with the impact of the tariff taxes and potential trade issues (foreign markets drying up--no pun intended) has made running a winery that much more difficult. I still expect to see some attrition in the number of wineries in California over the next few years.
As for Madroña, we are lucky to have a very loyal following so our numbers are nothing like this. We are impacted by the increasing costs (and still being hit by tariff charges), but we've tried to keep our pricing consistent with the needs of our community. Thus, people are still buying wine. And we thank you!
I do have some larger concerns for wine grape industry. As an Estate Grown winery, we use our own fruit. But many growers out there have not been able to sell their grapes. Thus the investment is all in the fruit, but the farmers lose their shirts when they don't pick (and sell) the grapes. There are only so many years a farmer can survive this, and I hope things turn around for them before we start seeing small vineyards being let go.
But on a grander societal scale, there has been a fair amount of talk and articles regarding the downturn in alcohol sales being associated with people generally being less social. In other words, going out for a drink and some appetizers to converse and laugh with friends is becoming less common as people just stay home. I do believe the greatest benefit of having a glass of wine is the conversation that comes with it, and becoming a more insular society isn't great for the individual, the community, the country, the world or my wine sales!
So, as 2025 is now in the rearview mirror and 2026 is ahead of us, I'm taking a moment to make a New Year's resolution (which I am, and have always been, completely against doing). I am going to make more time to have with friends and family, to have that glass of wine, and to discuss and laugh about life face to face like our forefathers (and foremothers) have always done. That is my challenge for you too!