In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 states that drink the most wine. You can skip our detailed analysis of the wine market in America, the state of the American wine industry, and the recent acquisition in the wine industry, and go directly to 5 States that Drink the Most Wine.
Wine has often been perceived as a ‘foreign’ beverage in the United States, and prior to 1850, it was true that the vast majority of vino was shipped into America from the Old World. However, things took a turn after the California Gold Rush, which caused a huge influx of people from all over into the Golden State. These thirsty settlers soon realized that Northern California is an excellent place to grow Vitis vinifera – a species of wine grapes native to the Mediterranean region, often used to make the delectable European wines that they so deeply revered.
What followed was an unsurprising surge of massive investments into the region’s local viniculture and only in a few decades, there was already a well-established and booming wine industry in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Sutter County, and El Dorado. It didn’t take long for these enticing offerings from the West to take over the inexpensive table wine market in America, and by the 1900’s, the Californian vintners were already exporting wine bottles, in their tens of thousands, to England, Australia, Asia, and Central America.
Wine Market in America:
As we mentioned in our article – 15 U.S. States that Produce the Most Wine – The United States is the Country that Loves Wine the Most, leading the world wine market last year in terms of revenue, with $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 already 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 America, but is projected to grow to $21 billion by 2030.
State of the American Wine Industry:
The American wine industry has always assumed that younger generations would naturally increase their consumption of wine as they grew older, but the truth is that it’s not happening. A report by the Silicon Valley Bank shows how wine hasn’t gained the same traction among those under 60 as it has for baby boomers. Of survey respondents aged 35 to 44, 29% said they were more likely to bring beer to a party, while 28% said they would bring wine. Even younger drinkers, aged 21 to 34, were more likely to bring beer, spirits, a flavored malt beverage or hard seltzer over wine. But ask a 65 year-old what he or she plans to bring to a party and 49% are likely to grab a bottle of wine.
Winemakers and advertisers are missing out on younger consumers by failing to produce wines that fit their budgets and neglecting to reach out to them with targeted marketing campaigns. The notions of health, sustainability, and responsibility are essential to buying decisions for the Gen Z and millennials, and although many wineries are already addressing this, their messaging is only sometimes connecting to these young drinkers. In order to appeal to these whole new demographics of consumers, the wine industry as a whole has to take steps to inspire curiosity and intrigue about wine, and to highlight the aspects that would appeal to them.
Recent Acquisition in the Wine Industry:
It was announced in November that The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA), a California-based luxury wine company, has reached an agreement with the Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) for the acquisition of Sonoma‑Cutrer Vineyards, in a deal worth around $400 million. The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) will receive an ownership percentage of approximately 21.5% in The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA) and $50 million in cash.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Sonoma‑Cutrer brand trademarks, facilities, and six vineyards in two appellations will join Duckhorn’s fine wine brands. Upon closing the deal next year, the Jack Daniel’s maker will receive two seats on The Duckhorn Portfolio’s Board of Directors.
Sonoma-Cutrer, known for its Russian River Ranches Chardonnays, operates six vineyards in Sonoma County, California, and had net sales of $84 million in the year ending July 31.
Both, The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA) and Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B), rank among the Best Alcohol Stocks to Own According to Hedge Funds.
With that said, here are the Top Wine Drinking States in America.
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Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we referred to the 2023 Surveillance Report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, looking for the States that Consume the Most Wine. Findings in this report are based on alcoholic beverage sales data collected by the Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System (AEDS) from the states or from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association. The total wine consumption of each state has been measured in gallons of pure alcohol per capita, based on population aged 14 and older. Wine typically contains around 13% of pure alcohol by volume, so in our list, 1 gallon of wine represents 0.129 gallons of ethanol. When two states had the same consumption of wine per capita, we ranked them by their overall wine consumption. The data collected in this report is for the year 2021.
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20. Colorado
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.49 gallons
The winemaking culture is spread out regionally throughout Colorado and the state is home to two designated American Viticultural Areas of the Grand Valley AVA and the West Elks AVA, where most of the vineyards are located.
Colorado is also placed among the U.S. States With the Highest Beer Consumption per Capita.
19. New York
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.49 gallons
Although West Coast wine regions tend to get all of the love when it comes to American wines, the Empire State is giving those popular areas a run for their money. New York’s Finger Lakes region is best known for its wines made from riesling, chardonnay, cabernet franc, and pinot noir, as these varieties thrive in the area’s cooler climate.
New Yorkers prefer to drink wine from the United States, with France and Italy coming in at number two and three.
18. Washington
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.5 gallons
Though under the radar, Washington ranks second among the Largest Wine Producing States in the Country. Fueling this flourishing industry, the Evergreen State is home to 1050 licensed wineries that collectively produce more than 17 million cases of wine each year, contributing more than $8 billion in annual in-state economic impact.
17. North Carolina
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.5 gallons
North Carolina boasts an immense diversity of wine, and is one of the very few places in the world where you can taste a sweet or dry muscadine wine, a dry Bordeaux, a refreshing Italian-style wine, a Riesling, or even a red Norton-wine in just a few 100 miles from each other. The Tar Heel State’s grape and wine industry supports over 10,000 jobs and has an impact of around $2 billion on the NC economy.
16. Alaska
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.52 gallons
Alaska has a reputation as a hard-drinking state with simple tastes. However, the state’s alcohol preferences are changing and it’s drinking less beer, more liquor, and more wine. It’s also drinking less mainstream beer and more craft beer.
Alaska ranks among the States that Drink the Most Wine in USA.
15. Montana
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.53 gallons
The Montana wine industry has flourished, even though it is by no means a traditional wine region. The Treasure State’s wine industry generated over $800 million for the American economy and directly employed as many as 4,400 people last year.
14. Virginia
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.53 gallons
With over 300 wineries spread across the region, there’s a wine for every taste in the Old Dominion. The practice of winemaking in the Commonwealth dates back to the early 17th century, when the earliest settlers of Jamestown planted vines in an attempt to produce a cash crop utilizing the vital soils of the New World.
13. Rhode Island
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.54 gallons
Although small in size, the state of Rhode Island is quite big on wine. The Ocean State’s coastal climate and soil is accommodating to a number of wine grapes from whites and rosé to reds and dessert wines.
With an annual per capita ethanol consumption of 2.87 gallons, Rhode Island ranks among the States that Consume the Most Alcohol per Capita.
12. New Jersey
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.55 gallons
It is no secret that they love their wine in New Jersey. In fact, wine tops the list as the favorite alcoholic beverage in the Garden State. So it is rather ironic that New Jersey is also the only state that bans direct winery-to-consumer shipments from wineries producing more than 106,000 cases per year. This means that New Jerseyans cannot have 90% of domestic wine shipped directly to their homes. For a state filled with wine enthusiasts, this is certainly inconvenient.
New Jersey is placed among States that Drink the Most Wine per Capita.
11. Connecticut
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.56 gallons
When you’re grocery shopping in the Constitution State, you will find beer on the shelves but no wine. Those looking to cook with wine, pick up some bottles for a dinner party, or simply enjoy a glass during dinner have to make that purchase at a separate package store. As the Connecticut state legislature considers a bill that would allow grocery stores to sell wine, research indicates that while it will have a small direct impact on the overall economy, the policy could provide a solid opportunity to promote the sale of Connecticut wines.
10. Nevada
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.58 gallons
Nevada is one of the U.S. states with the laxest laws related to alcohol, and many alcoholic brands, wholesalers, and suppliers use the Silver State to start and grow their brand presence for this reason. Situated in the south of Nevada is the city of Las Vegas. From high-end wine bars to elegant French bistros and local vineyards, the Sin City has a wine spot to suit every taste.
Nevada ranks among the Largest Wine Drinking States in the U.S.
9. Florida
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.58 gallons
The Sunshine State is one of the largest beverage alcohol markets in the United States. In 2021, there were 175 million cases of beer sold, followed by 28.5 million cases of wine, and 20.1 million cases of spirits in Florida. The state has over 30 wineries and vineyards, with most of them located near the Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Orlando metropolitan areas.
8. Hawaii
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.59 gallons
While rum may dominate glasses in Hawaii, wine has its place on the Islands. Although the state boasts only 8 wine producers, the wine industry generates close to $1.16 billion in total economic activity in Hawaii, dramatically illustrating that wine is the ultimate value-added beverage.
Hawaii is counted among the Top 10 Wine Drinking States.
7. Massachusetts
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.59 gallons
The city of Boston is renowned for its lavish wine scene, offering a wealth of wine bars and other places where you can sample excellent and interesting vintages from wineries and vineyards from around the world.
The Bay State even boasts wine food trucks! Beautifully designed with elegance and sophistication, Decanted is a mobile wine bar servicing all of MA and CT. Their renovated vintage trailers or adorable wine carts make every event fun and photogenic.
6. California
Wine Consumption per Capita: 0.61 gallons
The wine industry in California needs no introduction. Today, over 90% of the United States’ exported wine comes from the Golden State, making it one of the best wine regions in the world.
With 156 million gallons consumed per annum, California also has the honor of being the State with the Largest Overall Consumption of Wine.
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Disclosure: None. 20 States that Drink the Most Wine is originally published on Insider Monkey.