Even more California wineries shut down or will soon as industry crushed by major drinking habit changes
More wineries in California are being decimated by new consumer drinking habits, forcing closures or planned closures of iconic spots like Carneros Hill Winery and Ranch Winery.
The California wine industry has been overturned by younger consumers less drawn to drinking wine, and Baby Boomers consuming less as a whole. U.S. wine revenue fell by more than a billion in 2025 and production dropped by about six million cases, according to industry data.
Here’s the latest casualties from a consumer environment increasingly toxic to the wine industry, including wineries and their vineyard suppliers.
Carneros Hill Winery
Jackson Family Wines ceased production at its Carneros Hill facility in Sonoma’s Carneros region on Feb. 12.
The closure resulted in 13 layoffs.
Ranch Winery
Wine giant Gallo shuttered Ranch Winery earlier this month, slashing nearly 100 jobs across Napa and Sonoma counties.
Gallo filed a “warning” notice with the California Employment Development Department on Feb. 12, confirming it will permanently pull the cork on the Ranch Winery in St. Helena.
Valley Farm Management
A family-owned Soledad vineyard, Valley Farm Management, closed after 51 years at the end of 2025.
The owner of the winery, Jason Smith, told KSBW that it was a “pretty easy decision” with a changing wine industry and “more grapes” than demand for “wine bottles.”
Arista Winery
Sonoma-based Arista Winery in Healdsburg announced that it was closing last month, citing a shifting industry.
Last year, the winery sold its estate to Chris Underwood, CEO of Young’s Holdings, Inc. but continued selling the brand.
Subject to Change Wine Company
The Northern California Subject to Change Wine Company announced its closure last month after it once produced 20,000 cases of wine per year. At its peak, the winery reached significant distribution, with its wines sold in 35 states and 15 countries.
Struggles for the company came to a fever pitch in March of 2025, when its owner Alex Pomerantz, began laying off employees and struggled to make payroll for those who remained due to declining sales and rising debt.
Mission Bell Winery
Mission Bell Winery in Madera will close March 31, laying off more than 200 people in the process.
The winery had been operating in Madera for more than 100 years.
Newton Vineyard
Newton Vineyard closed in February of last year, but perhaps there is some light on the horizon for the beleaguered industry — as new owners Nick Livanos and Eric Bryan Seuthe rebooted the winemaking business in September 2025.
The pair purchased it from famed luxury goods company Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH).
