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BEVCOMMUNITY

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California Wine Sales Hit $40 Billion Despite Pandemic

By August 29, 2021Top News

California wineries experienced an increase in sales by volume in 2020, with 240.3 million cases shipped within the United States, up 1% from the previous year, totaling an estimated retail value of $40 billion. California wine sales to all markets, including shipments to the U.S. and export markets, were 279.2 million cases in 2020, up 2% by volume from 2019, according to Jon Moramarco of bw166 and Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates. According to NielsenIQ data, wine varieties that performed well in 2020 include Sauvignon Blanc (+26.3% dollar growth in NielsenIQ off-premise channels), rosé (+23.9%), Pinot Noir (+18.5%), red blends (+18.5%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (+17%). The U.S. remains the world’s largest wine market and is the fourth-leading wine producer worldwide. Wine shipments to the U.S. from California, other states and foreign producers reached 435.1 million cases in 2020, with an estimated retail value of $66.8 billion. California’s 240.3 million cases shipped within the U.S. in 2020 represent 55% of the total U.S. wine market. Total shipments of sparkling wine and Champagne to the U.S. from all production sources reached 28.5 million cases in 2020 and sparkling wines/Champagnes accounted for a 6% share of the U.S. wine market.

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