‘The kids just aren’t drinking as much’: California’s wine country is drowning in unwanted grapes

California's wine country is facing a crisis as wine sales plummet due to changing consumer habits. The decline in demand has forced many growers to abandon their vineyards, which have been in their families for generations. Sales have dropped more than 20% over the past five years, causing prices for grapes to plummet and growers to harvest at a loss or replace vineyards with more profitable crops like almonds and olives.

Third-generation grower Bill Berryhill, who owns Berryhill Family Vineyards, is losing money and has already removed 50 acres of vineyards. He laments the waste of a good harvest and the loss of work for his farmworkers. The wine industry, which produces over 80% of U.S. wine, is struggling due to global consumption declines and increased competition from other alcoholic beverages. Despite the losses, Berryhill is determined to continue growing grapes as it's in his blood.