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California powers record year for U.S. wine exports

February 15, 2017

United States wine exports generated a record $1.62 billion in revenue for wineries in 2016. Ninety of the country’s wine exports came from California, according to the Wine Institute, a California wine industry advocacy group.

The value of American wine exports reached a record high in 2016, even though the dollar was strong and the volume of exports decreased by more than 10 percent. That is due in large part toward the trend of “premiumization” — something California vintners are cashing in on, according to the Wine Institute.

“California wine exports continue to reflect the trend toward premiumization with the dollar of our wine sales outpacing volume shipments. California wines are well positioned for this trend — our vintners are offering quality, value, diverse styles and environmental stewardship in their winemaking. Combined with the state’s iconic lifestyle, innovative cuisine and beautiful destinations, California wines continue to gain attention from consumers worldwide,” Wine Institute President and CEO Robert P. Koch said.

Last year, the United States exported 49.5 million case of wine. The top market for California wine was the European Union, which accounted for $685 million in sales. Canada, which accounted for $431 million in sales, was the individual country that purchased the most California wine.

California wine exports have increased in value by 78 percent over the last decade despite heavily subsidized foreign competitors and high tariffs, according to the Wine Institute. Exporter also face non-tariff barriers, such as a regulation in the Canadian province of British Columbia that mandates grocery stores only sell locally produce wines.   

The Wine Institute is an advocate for free trade deals, such as the canceled Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the North American Free Trade Agreement. President Donald Trump halted the TPP before it was fully ratified, and he has vowed to tear up or renegotiate NAFTA.

Trump has also threatened a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports, which if enacted, could trigger retaliatory measures. Mexico has risen to the fifth largest export market for California wine, accounting for $24 million in sales.


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UbxeryZlgo


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Bottle shock!


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why don’t we export the Resnicks?


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Agree, did the Resnicks read this remark and give a thumbs dow? Also, Yelp is a great way to report local abuses of companies caught in criminal acts and skating free with donations of small portions of their massive wealth to blind side people into thinking it was an accident.—John Wallace’s bird sanctuary at Avila Beach after “shit hit the ocean”.


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“Ninety” wineries, or 90%? if it’s the number 90, how many others were there?


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Thats great! Now if our state could stop whining about cannabis they could have millions more rolling in. But oh no, pot is bad.

Praise the wine industry for using all the water, using illegal immigrants, and creating a product that causes DUIs, addiction, and death.

Meanwhile, they scrutinize the cannabis farmers for everything. Extra loops, permits, fees, regulations, etc. All for a renewable resource that can heal people and cannot kill them.


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demiseofslo… I am confused by your statement. Are you saying the wine industry is not regulated, licensed and taxed for their products? Really! Do you really think that anything in this State is not regulated and taxed to the max. California will not let a dime slip through their fingers until it goes to their unions, agendas, pet projects and family members.


As for “using illegal immigrants, and creating a product that causes DUIs, addiction, and death.” you are naive to think that the pot industry will be treated any differently. They will use lots of illegal immigrants, water, and yes, their products will also cause addiction, some deaths, and while I don’t know what they will call it but DUI’s will be replaced with enhanced driving in the pot world. But, then again, all this can be said about legal prescriptions also. We just should not be naive to think one is better than the other.


I would recommend you do some research about what has happened in Colorado regarding in major increase in emergency rooms, law enforcement, etc. Illegals are actually growing more than they did before the law was passed their. 60 minutes about a month or so ago had an eye opening presentation regarding the issues and problems taking take in Colorado.


Just saying!


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I’m saying the wine industry gets treated like saints compared to pot, and has a much heavier impact on the environment. Water, land use, tractors, etc. They are regulated but nowhere near the type of regulations the cannabis has to endure. I just think this county likes to ride the wine industry’s nuts while maintaining a “not in my backyard” attitude towards pot.


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