Amador County – California winemakers helped set a record in exports of wine last year, with Golden State wine exports totaling more than $1 billion.
According to the California wine industry’s leading organization, the Wine Institute, California wines accounted for 90 percent of the $1.14 billion in exports of United States wines last year, or $1.02 billion worth.
Wine Institute President Robert P. Koch in the release said: “California is the fourth largest wine producer in the world. Our continued work advocating for a level playing field in trade matters and the creative, long-term marketing investments by our wineries will enable us to reach our goal.”
U.S. wine exports, 90 percent from California, rebounded to a new record of $1.14 billion in winery revenues in 2010, an increase of 25.6 percent over 2009 wine exports. Volume shipments rose 1.9 percent to 425.5 million liters.
Koch said it “indicates that our goal of $2 billion in wine export revenues by 2020 is achievable.”
Linsey Gallagher, Wine Institute's International Marketing Director, said “consumers worldwide are attracted to the state’s renowned cuisine, natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle, and these features go hand in hand with California wine.”
The Wine Institute recently launched a “global Discover California Wines branding campaign” to “emphasize the California lifestyle.”
Wine Institute’s International Trade Policy Director Tom LaFaille said “close to 20 percent of California’s wine production” is being sold in other countries, and makes exports “an important part of our industry’s success.”
LaFaille said: “To help drive further growth, we continue to work closely with the U.S. government and the international wine community to remove trade barriers and open new markets.”
Since 1985, Wine Institute has served as the administrator of the Market Access Program, an export promotion program managed by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
The institute said 38% of U.S. wine exports by value were shipped to the 27 countries of the European Union, accounting for $435 million in revenues, up 14% from 2009. Volume shipped was 27.6 million cases in 2010. Changes in the dollar exchange rate, a gradually recovering economy and California’s effective marketing and high wine quality have helped exports rebound.
Other top markets were: Canada, $308 million; Hong Kong, $116 million; Japan, $76 million; and China, $45 million.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
