Will California Wine Prices Get Real?

The price of California wine, especially Napa Cabernet, has gone through the rough since dot com mania in 1999. But now you're starting to see many of the hard to get bottles gracing the shelves of local retailers. Silver Oak, previously allocated and usually hidden in the back room of retailers for their special customers is now stacked by the case load at stores like Wine Club and The Wine Exchange.

It's TimeThat The Napa Valley Faced The Grape Glut Of 02.

It's happening every day now and it happens all day long. It arrives either by email or by telephone. The message goes something like this: “I have 50 tons of Clone 337/7 Cabernet from Pope Valley and I'm selling it for $1,200 a ton. Can you use it?”… [TiZ WineBiZ] Now in 2002, there's more juice than customers — even in wholesale. When will the prices trickle down to customers? For the low to mid-range wines? Probably early next year. But the top premium and cult wines will barely budget. But you'll find many top quality cabs at better prices beginning next year.