As conditions in the wine industry continue to evolve, it may be time for California to start considering initiatives similar to France, where subsidies were introduced for farmers to uproot grape vines and plant alternative crops. With the current supply and demand crisis gripping the California's wine industry, the total collapse of its largest export market, and tariff pressures driving up the costs of virtually everything that goes into the bottle except the wine itself, now may be the time for a more proactive approach.  In the end, tariffs meant to shield American producers from foreign competition may necessitate implementing even more domestic protectionist lifelines. 

Bordeaux produces around 650m bottles of wine each year; but it currently sells only 500m. Demand for red wine in France has fallen by 38% in the past five years; in the 10 years to 2023 the fall was 45%.

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