U.S. wine exports, 90 percent of which are from California, reached $1.62 billion in winery revenues in 2016, a new record, according to the San Francisco-based Wine Institute. Despite challenges from a strong dollar, winery revenues were up 1 percent from 2015. Volume was 412.7 million liters or 45.9 million cases, it adds.
The Stewart family, owners of Sonoma, Calif.-based Lake Sonoma Winery, has negotiated the purchase of Envolve Winery from sibling proprietors Mike, Kate and Chris Benziger and Ben Flajnik.
Purchase includes all existing brands and inventory
September 22, 2015
Bill Leigon, president of Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, announced his purchase of the Napa, Calif., winery. The purchase was finalized Sept. 18. Purchase price was not disclosed. Bill Spear will continue to manage all sales and marketing and is taking the title of the winery's general manager and co-partner.
Wine sales in the United States from all production sources increased 2 percent from the previous year to a new record of 360.1 million 9-liter cases with an estimated retail value of $34.6 billion, according to Wine Industry Consultant Jon Fredrikson of Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates, Woodside, Calif. Of this total, almost two-thirds or 207.7 million cases of California wine account for a 58 percent share of U.S. wine sales with an estimated retail value of $22 billion, he says. Including exports, California wine shipments to all markets in the United States and abroad reached 250.2 million cases in 2012, he says.
DFV Wines introduced the HandCraft Artisan Collection, a portfolio of California wines tailored to fit the lifestyle of busy modern women, the company says.