15 States That Produce the Most Wine
In this piece, we will take a look at the 15 states that produce the most wine. For more states within this selection, take a look at 5 States That Produce the Most Wine.
Dating back as far as 6,000 BC, wine stands among the most ancient beverages enjoyed by humankind, holding cultural significance across numerous countries globally. In the contemporary world, it has blossomed into one of the largest industries, with its value estimated at $441.6 billion in 2022, as reported by the research firm Vantage Market Research. The firm states that the global wine market is expected to reach a value of $698.54 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.90% over the forecast period. Despite the profound impact of the coronavirus pandemic on various sectors like hospitality and manufacturing, the lockdown measures compelling people to stay indoors led to a remarkable 22% surge in wine consumption during that period.
The United States was the world leader in the wine market in 2022 in terms of revenue with $52.7 billion. A significant portion of the country's wine production takes place in the sun-soaked Golden State of California, responsible for around 85% of the total U.S. wine production volume. In total, there are over 11,000 wineries spread across the nation, with many of them producing limited quantities of wine. Notably, the country's wine production in 2021 surpassed 773 million gallons, accounting for over 9% of the global wine production volume.
See also: 12 Countries That Produce the Best Wine in the World.
During the past decade, wine consistently held a sales share of approximately 17% in the United States among alcoholic beverages. However, in 2021, there was a notable decline, dropping to around 16%, and this trend persisted throughout 2022 without any signs of recovery. Despite this dip, wine fared comparatively better than beer, which experienced more significant sales declines, leading to spirits stepping in to bridge the gap. Notably, retail aisles remain abundant with table wine brands like Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B)'s Sonoma-Cutrer, and Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ)'s Kim Crawford and Ruffino. In 2005, E&J Gallo Winery acquired America's leading table wine brand, Barefoot, which reportedly amassed $582 million in sales within the United States in 2022. In terms of sales channels utilized by America's wineries, the majority of wine sales were made through tasting rooms, followed closely by wine clubs.
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Our Methodology
For our list of the states that produce the most wine, we referred to data presented by This Day in Wine History and the World Population Review that ranked the top wine producing states in the United States according to their share in the American wine market. The wine produced (in Gallons) across the top 15 states as per 2022 are listed below.
If you’re also interested to learn about some other beverages besides wine, please refer to our article 20 Most Consumed Beer Brands in the World.
15. Indiana
Wine Production by Gallons: 1,411,540
Wine has been produced in the state of Indiana since the early days of European colonization in the 18th century. In the mid-19th century, Indiana was the tenth-largest Winegrape producing state in the country. Presently, Indiana's wine industry plays a significant role in bolstering the state's economy, contributing over $2.4 billion. In addition, Indiana has experienced an annual growth rate of more than 15% in wine sales. Over the years, the number of wineries in the state has surged from a mere nine in 1989 to nearly 100 today. These wineries now cultivate grapes across more than 600 acres, marking a remarkable 300% increase since 1991.
14. Florida
Wine Production by Gallons: 1,634,103
The concept of growing grapes for wine production in Florida may initially seem challenging to grasp, but it holds a historical truth. This state boasts a rich heritage of cultivating wine grapes earlier than any other region in the United States, leading it to be considered as the birthplace of American wine by some historians. One of the states that produce the most wine in the country, the wine industry serves as a powerful catalyst for economic growth in Florida, contributing approximately $15.21 billion in total economic activity. This substantial figure underscores the significant value added by the wine sector. The wine industry also serves as a direct employer for approximately 66,327 individuals in the state. Additionally, it plays a vital role in creating 22,268 jobs in supplier and ancillary industries that provide goods and services to the wine sector.
13. New Jersey
Wine Production by Gallons: 1,832,325
Over the past three decades, the wine production landscape in New Jersey has witnessed remarkable growth, fueled by the establishment of new wineries. The turning point began in 1981 when the state legislature eased Prohibition-era constraints and introduced new laws, fostering an environment conducive to industry expansion and the issuance of winery licenses. Presently, New Jersey wineries have gained acclaim for the exceptional quality of their wines, receiving recognition from critics, industry experts, and national and international competitions. As of 2022, the state boasts a wine production of almost 2 million, making up 0.23% of the total U.S. production share.
12. North Carolina
Wine Production by Gallons: 1,903,060
Over the course of several decades, North Carolina's wine industry has undergone a remarkable transformation. In 1950, the state had a negligible wine production, yet today it holds the rank of the 12th largest wine-producing state in the country. Thanks to the favorable combination of excellent soil conditions and a lengthy growing season, North Carolina has emerged as an ideal location for vineyards. This led to the Tar Heel State to reclaiming its status as a significant player in the industry, attracting an impressive two million visitors to its wineries annually. Additionally, the wine sector has a substantial economic impact, contributing nearly $2 billion to the state's economy and providing employment opportunities for around 10,000 individuals.
11. Texas
Wine Production by Gallons: 1,907,299
The state of Texas boasts a rich and storied history in wine production. The sun-kissed and arid climate of its prominent winemaking regions has garnered comparisons to the wines of Portugal and other European regions like Spain, France, and Italy. The origins of Texas wines can be traced back to the 1650s when Spanish missionaries crafted some of the earliest recorded wines in the vicinity of El Paso. The Texas wine industry makes a substantial contribution of approximately $20.35 billion to the total economic activity of the U.S., effectively highlighting wine as the ultimate value-added beverage. This far-reaching impact extends across the state, fostering economic opportunities for businesses that may not seem directly related to the wine industry. Overall, 141,235 jobs are created and supported by the wine industry in the state.
10. Virginia
Wine Production by Gallons: 2,157,395
Against a backdrop of over 400 years of viticultural history, Virginia's modern wine industry emerged half a century ago, igniting a wave of excitement that has positioned it among the most leading wine producing states in the U.S. One of the top 10 states that produce the most wine in the United States, Virginia's wine industry has evolved from a mere six pioneers in the 1970s to a thriving community of 312 wineries spread across ten regions and eight AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) today. According to a study conducted in 2019, the economic impact of Virginia wines was estimated to be approximately $1.73 billion. After thorough evaluation of all economic activities directly or indirectly associated with wine production, sales, and wine grape farming in Virginia, the study revealed an impressive 27% increase in the overall economic impact since 2015.
9. Vermont
Wine Production by Gallons: 2,172,526
In 1997, Vermont welcomed its inaugural commercial winery, Snow Farm Winery, marking the beginning of the state's wine industry. Given its very cold climate, viticulture in Vermont comes with its own unique challenges. Consequently, local wineries have primarily concentrated on cultivating cold-hardy French hybrid grapes, although they have also ventured into experimenting with certain Vitis vinifera varieties. To diversify their offerings, some Vermont wineries even produce wines using grapes sourced from other states, particularly from neighboring New York. The state of Vermont makes up around 0.27% of the total U.S wine production share.
8. Kentucky
Wine Production by Gallons: 2,176,059
One of the first attempts at large-scale commercial viticulture in the United States started in Kentucky in 1799, with plantings by the Kentucky Vineyard Society. The relatively mild climate of Kentucky, especially in the Ohio River Valley, made Kentucky an attractive place for early American winemaking. By the mid-19th century Kentucky was the third largest wine producing state in the country, producing 135,000 gallons of wine annually. Today Kentucky boasts over 65 wineries and 150 grape growers, spread across 600 acres of lush land, resulting in an annual production of more than 100,000 cases of wine. The heart of this vibrant winemaking scene lies in Northern Kentucky, nestled between the cities of Louisville and Lexington.
7. Michigan
Wine Production by Gallons: 2,576,238
With its scenic great lakes and a rich history, Michigan has been engaged in the art of winemaking since the late 1700s. The first wine region was established in Monroe County, situated south of present-day Detroit, way back in 1780. It all started when French settlers discovered wild grapes flourishing along the banks of the Raisin River, named after the sun-dried fruit that adorned its 139-mile length. Initially, most of the wine produced served personal consumption purposes. However, it wasn't until the mid-1800s that a genuine wine industry began to take shape and flourish in the region. As of 2020, Michigan has 3,375 acres (1,366 hectares) of wine grapes grown and more than 200 commercial wineries.
6. Ohio
Wine Production by Gallons: 5,938,739
With more than 486 wineries, Ohio ranks high among the states that produce the most wine in the country. Throughout history, wine in Ohio was predominantly made from native American grape species like Vitis labrusca, rather than European wine grapes. However, as winemaking techniques advanced, hybrid and Vitis vinifera grapes (the type of grape from which Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Riesling wines are made) have become increasingly prevalent in Ohio's winemaking practices. In 2022, almost 6 million gallons of wine was produced in the state.
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Disclosure: None. 15 States That Produce the Most Wine is originally published on Insider Monkey.