Ok so from what im reading at M&M there wine grapes are in 18lb lugs and are $46-$50 a lug? so thats say almost $100 smackers for a reg 32lb lug? or am i missing something?.it cost me $340.00 bucks per 10 lugs of 32 lbs of grapes of lodi zin..so that would be $1000.00 for 10 32lugs from M&M?
HI Kendo
Prices always change but stay in a price point usually. This year prices are likely to be higher than last year for 2 major reasons transportation costs ( fuel prices and government regulations) and Shortages with demand being higher and last year's poor harvest depleting the bulk wine inventory.
If you are looking at Central Valley Grapes with labels like Cry Baby from Tony Guerriero Fruit Co., Fresno, California you are at the bottom of the food chain. Expect to pay in the mid to high 20's for a 36 pound box. Getting to usually the best of Central Valley are labels such as California Special, Treasure and Teaser packed by D. Papagni Fruit Co. and Anthony Vineyards. Expect to pay this year a bit over 30 for a 36 pound box.
You then get into the Lodi and Amador Areas where there is a marked improvement in quality. Look for Delta Packed Grapes and Elkhorn Packing in these areas. Delta Packing will also take you to Paso Robles, Clement Hills and the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Expect to pay in high 30s to low 40s per 36 pound box.
To go up another level you get to Suisun Valley and Wooden Valley Vineyards owned and packed by Lanza. Expect to pay around 50 a box. The improvement in your wine using these grapes is such you will never make a lower level grape again if you goal is to make fine elegant wines.
After that you begin to get in the nose bleed area. In Napa Beckstoffer grapes demand prices from 140 to almost 300 dollars a box. Again before you have a heart attack, you have to understand that wines made from these grapes sell commercially beginning at 75.00 a bottle upwards of 200.00 a bottle. The amateur who is willing to spend the money is rubbing elbows with the likes of Camus and making this level wine beginning at 25.00 dollars a bottle. If you a good winemaker you owe it to yourself to make these grapes at least once.
Then M&M has other varietals north of 50 dollars a box but under 100 dollars a box from other areas like Sonoma and Mendocino.
This is not my Grandfather's winemaking. This is an entirely different activity and M&M is the only one providing the opportunity to take this hobby to these new levels. It is not that long ago this did not exist for Amateur Winemakers. M&M made the difference. Now it is up to you to decide your next move in the hobby. Even if you stay with Central Valley grapes 2 things are true. M&M's delivery and cold storage insures you the best condition for your grapes and M&M gives you the choice to take it to the next level.
Malvina
BTW Due to the weight of the grapes on top of one another combined with the length of shipping times grapes from Chile are shipped in 18 pound boxes. The price per 18 pound box represents half of a 36 pound box.
