In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 best-selling wine brands in the US. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global wine market, the state of the American wine industry, and wine tourism in the United States, and go directly to the 5 Best-Selling Wine Brands in the US.
Wine has often been perceived as a ‘foreign’ beverage in the United States, and prior to 1850, it was true that the vast majority of vino was shipped into America from the Old World. However, things took a turn after the California Gold Rush, which caused a huge influx of people from all over into the Golden State. These thirsty settlers soon realized that Northern California was an excellent place to grow Vitis vinifera – a species of wine grapes native to the Mediterranean region, often used to make the delectable European wines that they deeply revered.
What followed was an unsurprising surge of massive investments into the region’s local viniculture and only in a few decades, there was already a well-established and booming wine industry in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Sutter County, and El Dorado. It didn’t take long for these enticing offerings from the West to take over the inexpensive table wine market across America, and by the 1900s, the Californian vintners were already exporting wine bottles, in their tens of thousands, to England, Australia, Asia, and Central America.
READ ALSO: 10 Best Alternatives to Champagne and 20 Best Wine Brands in the World.
Global Wine Market:
Wine is one of the Most Consumed Alcohols in the World. As we mentioned in our article – 15 Biggest Wine Companies in the US – the global wine market size was valued at $441.6 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of $698.54 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period.
Wine is gaining huge popularity among millennials and youngsters, owing to its refreshing appeal and low ABV offerings. The rising demand for premium and luxury wines, increasing consumer awareness about the health benefits of wine, and the growing popularity of wine tourism are some of the key factors driving the growth of the wine market.
According to the 2024 BMO Wine Market Report, the actual dollar sales of all wine sold in the U.S. market reached $107 billion in 2023 – an all-time high. Considering that wine dollar sales in the country were just over $73 billion in 2018, the market has witnessed a staggering increase of 46% in the last few years. The report also indicates that the largest U.S. wine companies account for more than 80% of the overall wine production in the country. Here are the U.S. States that Drink the Most Wine.
State of the American Wine Industry:
The American wine industry has always assumed that younger generations would naturally increase their consumption of wine as they grew older, but the truth is that it’s not happening. A report by the Silicon Valley Bank shows how wine hasn’t gained the same traction among those under 60 as it has for baby boomers. Of survey respondents aged 35 to 44, 29% said they were more likely to bring beer to a party, while 28% said they would bring wine. Even younger drinkers, aged 21 to 34, were more likely to bring beer, spirits, a flavored malt beverage, or hard seltzer over wine. But ask a 65-year-old what he or she plans to bring to a party and 49% are likely to grab a bottle of wine.
Winemakers and advertisers are missing out on younger consumers by failing to produce wines that fit their budgets and neglecting to reach out to them with targeted marketing campaigns. The notions of health, sustainability, and responsibility are essential to buying decisions for Gen Z and millennials, and although many wineries are already addressing this, their messaging is only sometimes connecting to these young drinkers. In order to appeal to these whole new demographics of consumers, the wine industry as a whole has to take steps to inspire curiosity and intrigue about wine and to highlight the aspects that would appeal to them.
Wine Tourism in the United States:
People travel around the world for different reasons. Some travel to explore new cultures, learn new languages, admire unique locations, and some to drink wine. Among several types of modern travels, wine tourism is a new concept with a focus on exploring wine cultures around the world.
The U.S. wine industry is a major magnet for tourists and tourism-driven expenses. According to WineAmerica, the country’s ‘wine country’ regions generated 49.18 million tourist visits and $16.69 billion in tourism expenditures in 2022, benefiting local economies and tax bases.
Based in California, The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA) makes wines and calls itself a manufacturing company, agricultural company, and marketing company all rolled into one. In addition to its wineries or brands, the company owns approximately 1,100 vineyard acres (15+ unique sites ranging in size from 5-acre parcels up to 75 acres) with a total annual production of over 900,000 cases. For those who love great Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay, a trip to Duckhorn Vineyards has long been recognized as one of the preeminent Napa Valley tasting experiences. With its vibrant gardens and sophisticated tableside wine service, The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA)’s classically beautiful Estate House sets the standard for attentiveness and refinement.
One of the Largest Publicly Traded Liquor Companies in the US, The Duckhorn Portfolio is a ‘one-stop luxury wine shop’ and the largest pure-play luxury wine company in the U.S. The California-based winemaker posted a revenue of $93.53 million in its Q3 ending April 30th 2024, an increase of 1.4% from the same quarter last year and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.37%. This marked the first time that NAPA has surpassed consensus revenue estimates in the last four quarters. On the 30th of April 2024, The Duckhorn Portfolio announced the completion of its acquisition of Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, one of the largest and fastest-growing luxury Chardonnay brands in America, from the Brown-Forman Corporation. Moreover, the company is also investing in revamping its distribution network by focusing on wholesale distributors.
However, Duckhorn’s dependence on luxury wines is proving to be a problem in current times as consumers are watching their wallets. As a result, the company witnessed a volume decline of 4.6% in the last quarter, and now the revamped distribution channel also leaves it vulnerable to a significant channel glut in case of demand slowdown.
Merion Road Capital Management stated the following regarding The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:
“During the quarter I exited our position in The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA) at a loss. Fundamentals came in worse than I expected and I ultimately realized that because the upside was less than my prior expectations, it did not justify current uncertainty.”
While we acknowledge the potential of NAPA as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NAPA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
With that said, here are the Most Popular Wine Brands in the US.
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Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we have referred to the Wine Handbook 2022 by the Beverage Information Group, looking for the Top-Selling Wine Brands in America. The following brands have been ranked by their number of 9-liter cases sold in the U.S. in 2021.
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20. Charles Shaw
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 3.02 million
Owned by the Bronco Wine Company, Charles Shaw is known for their bargain-priced wine. When Trader Joe’s introduced the brand in 2002, it sold for $1.99, thus giving it the nickname ‘Two Buck Chuck’. Although prices have risen since then, Charles Shaw remains a go-to choice for many Americans.
19. Chateau Ste. Michelle
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 3.173 million
Combining Old World winemaking traditions with New World innovation, Chateau Ste. Michelle has spent decades investing in quality vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley, the finest winemaking equipment, and world-class winemaking talent. The wine estate was acquired by Sycamore Partners in 2021, in a deal worth $1.2 billion.
18. Kendall-Jackson
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 3.225 million
One of the largest wine producers in California, Kendall Jackson boasts an impressive portfolio of wines covering various styles and price ranges. As America’s Best-Selling Chardonnay for almost 28 years, the Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay is trusted for its quality and craftsmanship.
17. Beringer
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 3.48 million
Beringer introduced its first wine in 1876 and has since then been crafting some of the most exquisite reds and whites in Napa Valley. The oldest continuously operating winery in California was acquired by the Melbourne-based Treasury Wine Estates in 2011.
16. Cavit
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 3.94 million
Now celebrated as one of the Most Popular Italian Wine Brands in America, Cavit first became popular among American wine enthusiasts in the 1970s as a pioneer of the then-little-known Pinot Grigio. Hailing from the Trentino region in northern Italy, the winery pays special attention to staying sustainable and thus powers 100% of its production by solar panels.
15. Josh Cellars
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 4.491 million
The Josh Cellars wine brand includes eleven varietals and a Reserve collection of wines that come from some of the Golden State’s most prestigious appellations, the North Coast and Paso Robles. Josh was at about 25,000 cases a year when Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits took it on in 2011, with nearly all its volume in the Northeast. The brand hit 150,000 cases in its first full year with Deutsch and then began to double each year. Deutsch bought out the remaining 50% ownership in 2014 as growth began to explode, and now Josh Cellars ranks among the Largest Selling Wine Brands in the US.
14. Apothic
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 4.51 million
From a dark red blend to a light rosé, the California-based Apothic brand offers wines unique in style and taste. Owned by the famed E. and J. Gallo Winery, Apothic is known for bringing together grapes from diverse regions and combining them in unique and exciting ways.
The Apothic Red Blend is one of the Best Wines To Buy At Costco According to Reddit.
13. Liberty Creek
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 4.835 million
Working with the philosophy that quality wines should be accessible to all, Liberty Creek has a long tradition of winemaking deeply rooted In the rich soils of California. Classic varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay define the brand, though they’ve expanded to also include a fruity pink Moscato and a dark, woody red blend.
12. Livingston Cellars
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 5.425 million
While merging the old-time with the high-end, Livingston Cellars produces versatile, fruit-forward wines that are perfect for bringing together friends and family to cherish the best moments in life. Well-balanced and easy to enjoy, Livingston Cellars offers affordable, award-winning wines that consistently exceed expectations.
11. Yellow Tail
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 6.176 million
Founded in 2001 by the Casella family, this Australian wine brand produces a wide array of wines, perfect for all tastes and occasions. Over the years, Yellow Tail has positioned itself to identify and appeal to casual drinkers overlooked by major wine brands.
10. Peter Vella
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 7.205 million
Another popular American wine brand owned by E. & J. Gallo, Peter Vella wines have adorned family dinner tables, holiday celebrations, and casual evenings at home for over 20 years now. The brand helped launch the popular boxed wine trend and since then, has developed techniques to maintain the wine’s freshness and improve the spout.
9. Stella Rosa
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 7.205 million
A top Wine Brand Popular Among Young Consumers, Stella Rosa offers fresh flavors and 100% natural grapes in every bottle. The brand is known and respected for making affordable but high-quality, low-calorie, low-sugar, low-alcohol, deliciously drinkable, and flavorful wines.
With over 7.2 million cases sold in the US in 2021, this wonderful Italian selection is the number 1 imported wine in the USA in terms of sales.
8. Black Box
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 8.25 million
One of the most awarded brands in the boxed wine category, Black Box is made from grapes harvested in some of the Best Wine Producing Regions in the World. Shatterproof and resealable, the boxes have the ability to store four bottles of premium wine for up to six weeks at 50% less than the cost of comparable bottles.
7. Gallo Twin Valley
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 9.09 million
Whether you enjoy hearty red wines, sweeter-styled blush wines, or crisp white wines, Gallo Twin Valley has something for everyone. Gallo Family Vineyards is still guided by three generations of Gallo family members, working actively in the business.
6. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 9.39 million
Next up in our list of the Top 10 Selling Wine brands is Woodbridge, founded by Robert Mondavi in 1979 to produce daily fruit-focused wines that could be savored on any occasion. The affordable and approachable brand is on a mission to bring quality wine to the tables of everyday consumers.
Robert Mondavi was acquired by Constellation Brands in 2004, in a deal worth $1.03 billion.
5. Sutter Home
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 10.191 million
A brand generations of wine lovers trust to deliver consistent, award-winning quality, Sutter Home offers more than 25 crowd-pleasing varietals ranging from traditional types like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot to the more casual ones like Moscato and Fruit Infusions. The wines are typically made in very large quantities and contain grapes from many locations mostly throughout California.
4. Carlo Rossi
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 10.48 million
Famous for its jug wines, which are larger than a standard bottle and have become iconic to the brand, Carlo Rossi is a California-based value wine brand established and owned by the beverage giant E. & J. Gallo. CR makes all its wines using the most delicious grapes from California’s Central Valley, making sure that it’s delivering the best quality and the best value to its many consumers.
3. Bota Box
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 10.9 million
Bota Box was launched by Dalicato Family Wines in 2003, taking inspiration from traditional Spanish wine skins known as ‘botas’. With four bottles of wine inside every eco-friendly, three-liter box and three glasses inside every Mini, Bota Box offers everything from the boldest of reds to the lightest of whites. The popular American wine brand boasted sales of $314.4 million in the US in 2023.
2. Barefoot
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 20.41 million
Barefoot is a California-based wine brand dedicated to making delicious wines that are fun, flavorful, and approachable. The popular cheap wine brand was purchased by E. & J. Gallo Winery in 2005. Thanks to Gallo’s billions of dollars worth of marketing muscle, Barefoot is available throughout the country, especially in the crucial grocery store market.
1. Franzia
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 22 million
For 27 consecutive years, Franzia has been the Most Popular Wine Brand in the World by sales volume. The brand created history in 1985 by becoming the first brand in America to package its wine in a box, and today, it’s almost impossible to think of bag-in-box wine without thinking about Franzia, a budget-friendly brand notoriously carried by convenience stores and carried to college parties.
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Disclosure: None. 20 Best-Selling Wine Brands in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.