In this article, we are going to discuss the 30 most popular wine brands in America. You can skip our detailed analysis of the wine market in America, the recent acquisition in the wine industry, and wine tourism in the United States, and go directly to 10 Most Popular Wine Brands in America.
Over the last few decades, winemaking has become immensely popular in America as both a business venture and a hobby. When prohibition passed in 1920, the popularity of winemaking plummeted and would stay relatively obscure for half a century. However, the turning point for American wine occurred on May 24, 1976, when some California producers entered their wines in a blind tasting, comparing California wines with French.
The judging panel was exclusively French, so it was a shock when Californian wines were ranked the highest in both of the competition categories – Chardonnays and reds. The results of what became known as the Judgment of Paris were reported in Time Magazine, thus attracting international attention towards premier wines from the Golden State. That year marked the beginning of an American wine renaissance, and today there are over 11,000 wineries in the U.S. that offer an incredibly diverse selection of wines.
Wine Market in America:
As we mentioned in our article – 15 U.S. States that Produce the Most Wine – The United States was the world leader in the wine market last year in terms of revenue, at $52.7 billion. Although wine is produced in every state of the country, the majority of production takes place in the sun-soaked state of California, responsible for around 85% of the total U.S. wine production volume. With 22.4 million hectoliters of wine produced in 2022, the U.S. ranks among the Top Wine Producing Countries in the World.
Organic/sustainable wine is a trend particularly popular among the Gen Z, and to a somewhat lesser extent the millennials. While in Europe this trend is well-established, with a third of French and Spanish consumers purchasing organic wine, in the U.S. it is just beginning to take hold. Organic/sustainable wine is currently an $8.6 billion market in the U.S., but is projected to grow to $21 billion by 2030.
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 tourism, 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 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 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.
With a portfolio of 10 high-quality wine brands, The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA) ranks among the 12 Best Alcohol Stocks to Own According to Hedge Funds.
Recent Acquisition in the Wine Industry:
Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) is a leading premium wine company, with a widely admired portfolio that includes Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Clos du Bois, Blackstone, Estancia, Ravenswood etc. The company has followed its divestment of the Funky Buddha Brewery with the acquisition of a Californian wine brand in June.
Domaine Curry, described by the group as a ‘luxury Napa Valley wine brand’ joined the Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) portfolio this summer. The brand, which has been purchased for an undisclosed amount from Coup de Foudre, will join the alcohol giant’s The Prisoner Wine Co unit.
Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) made headlines this summer when its Mexican beer brand, Modelo Especial, became the Top-Selling Beer in America after dethroning Bud Light.
With that said, here are the Most Popular Wines in the U.S.
Copyright: gkrphoto / 123RF Stock Photo
Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we have referred to the Wine Handbook 2022 by the Beverage Information Group, looking for the Best-Selling Wine Brands in America. The following wines have been ranked by their number of 9-liter cases sold in the U.S. in 2021.
If you’re still at the dawn of your journey into the alluring world of vino, here are the Best Red Wines for Beginners and Casual Drinking.
30. Robert Mondavi Private Select
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 2.303 million
These spirits barrel-aged wines balance Robert Mondavi’s proud history of longstanding traditions with a forward-looking approach. By tweaking the time-tested process of barrel-aging, the popular wine brand endows its familiar, high quality wines with a twist of subtle flavor cues from craft spirits.
Robert Mondavi Corp. was acquired by Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) in 2004, in a deal worth $1.03 billion.
29. Boone’s
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 2.305 million
Owned by E & J Gallo Winery, Boone’s Farm has always done its own thing. From apple wine to malt-based beverages, they produce some of the most memorable wines on this side of paradise. Many people enjoyed Boone’s in their younger days and moved onto other, more ‘refined’ wines in later adulthood.
28. Vendange
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 2.36 million
French for ‘grape harvest’, Vendange is passionate about crafting well-balanced, approachable wines that are always fresh and ready to enjoy. Vendange was acquired by E&J Gallo from Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) in 2021, in a deal that involved more than 30 wine brands.
27. 19 Crimes
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 2.388 million
19 Crimes is an Australian wine brand established in 2012 by Treasury Wine Estates. Its focus is on value-priced red blends made from grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Durif, and Mourvèdre.
Treasury Wine Estates ranks among the Largest Alcohol Companies in the World in 2023.
26. Bogle
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 2.505 million
The Bogle wine family has been farming in the Clarksburg, California region for six generations. Their involvement in the wine business spans back 50 years, which is why Bogle wines are high-quality at a great price.
While Bogle is a mass-market wine that isn’t considered a fine or premium wine, that doesn’t mean the winery doesn’t make perfectly decent, quaffable wines.
25. Arbor Mist
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 2.698 million
Produced in Canandaigua, NY, Arbor Mist is an alcoholic beverage which blends wines such as Merlot, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay with fruit flavorings. Delightfully light and crisp, Arbor Mist has a lower alcohol content than most wines, and is usually cheaper than other similar alcoholic beverages.
Arbor Mist sits among the Top 20 Wine Brands Popular Among Young Consumers.
24. La Marca Prosecco
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 2.73 million
Founded in 1968, La Marca is a cooperative representing 5,000 local wine growers who farm more than 17,000 acres in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Part of E. & J. Gallo’s esteemed international portfolio, La Marca is the Best-Selling Prosecco in the United States.
23. Winking Owl
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 2.875 million
Aldi has its own exclusive in-house brand known as Winking Owl wines. A quirky little wine with amazing character, Winking Owl over-delivers on style with each and every varietal – from the robust cherry notes in the cabernet to the light-hearted citrus of the pinot grigio. At just a few dollars per bottle, you may be surprised by the consistent quality and taste.
22. André
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 2.92 million
Introduced in 1966, André was E. & J. Gallo Winery’s first foray into sparkling wine. The goal was to introduce the average American to quality sparkling wine at an affordable price, and André succeeded. Over sixty years later, André is the ultimate dry sparkling wine for mimosas and cocktails, and the brand has come to be synonymous with celebrations as the Most Popular Sparkling Wine in America.
21. Ménage à Trois
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 2.95 million
Ménage à Trois is a value-priced California wine brand owned by Trinchero Family Estates. The unmistakable graphic interpretation of Ménage à Trois – twin dancers inspired by Rorschach inkblots – communicates the alluring, playful personality blended into every seductive sip.
20. Charles Shaw
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 3.02 million
Owned by the Bronco Wine Company, Charles Shaw is known for producing popular affordable wines, largely made from California grapes. Sold exclusively at Trader Joe’s stores since 2002, the wine affectionately known as ‘Two-Buck Chuck’ is affordable (about $2 to $4 per bottle) and proudly unpretentious.
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 is one of the few premium wineries in the world with two state-of-the-art wineries, one for red and one for white. The whites are made at the Chateau in Woodinville, WA, while the reds are made at the Canoe Ridge Estate winery in Eastern Washington.
18. Kendall-Jackson
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 3.225 million
The Sonoma Valley-based Kendall-Jackson is one of America’s most beloved family-owned and operated wineries. 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
Over the last 145 years, Beringer Vineyards has been crafting some of the most exquisite red and white wines in Napa Valley. Owned by Treasury Wine Estates, Beringer’s wines continue to receive top marks from critics and experts, from their Cabernet Sauvignon to their alluvium blends, Merlot, Chardonnays, and white Zinfandels.
16. Cavit
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 3.94 million
Cavit is a major Italian wine cooperative located in the heart of the Trentino region of Italy. Aside from earning the well-deserved title of America’s #1 Italian Pinot Grigio, Cavit produces a full range of high-quality, approachable and food-friendly wines including Pinot Noir, Prosecco, Chardonnay, Moscato, Rose, and Red Blend.
15. Josh Cellars
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 4.491 million
Founded as a tribute from son to father, Josh Cellars makes well-balanced and delicious wines sourced from California’s best growing regions. Today, the brand has 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 America’s Top Wine Brands.
14. Apothic
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 4.51 million
The California-based Apothic Wines offers a range of red and dark wines to excite the taste buds. From rich red blends to a semi-sweet white and even a light rosé with dark secrets, Apothic makes wines that are anything but ordinary.
Apothic Wines produces some of the Best Red Wines in U.S.A.
13. Liberty Creek
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 4.835 million
Liberty Creek Vineyards in Modesto, CA, seeks to bring affordable, easy-to-drink wines to consumers throughout the U.S. 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.
Liberty Creek is counted among the Top-Selling Wine Brands in 2023.
12. Livingston Cellars
9-Liter Cases Sold in 2021: 5.425 million
Livingston Cellars’ versatile, fruit forward wines are perfect for bringing friends and family together in celebrating all the best moments life has to offer. 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
From its launch in 2001, Yellow Tail has grown to be one of the world’s most recognisable wines. Produced in Australia, Yellow Tail developed an easy-drinking wine that is soft and sweet in taste and as approachable as beer and ready-to-drink cocktails.
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Disclosure: None. 30 Most Popular Wine Brands in America is originally published on Insider Monkey.