Stars on the Rise

When choosing wine, half the fun comes from exploring new and exciting options. Since this write-up is all about the sales, we’ve selected the newcomers that saw the biggest sales increases from 2017 to 2018. We took the data from The Beverage Information & Insights Group 2019 handbook. 

Ame du Vin

In 2017, Ame Du Vin sold only 5,000 nine-liter cases but that number jumped to 21,000 in 2018, providing an amazing 320% growth. Account for the fact that 2017 was the first vintage and the success becomes impressive all the more. 

The wine itself originates from the top wine-producing areas in Provence and the best selling coupage features 30% Cinsault and 70% Grenache. Currently, this is the brand’s only label and it was named the rising star of 2019 by Beverage Dynamics. 

Find out more about the Ame du Vin pedigree by following this link. 

Fleurs de Prairie

With a 250% increase, this brand takes second place on the top newcomer's list. Interestingly, the brand’s top-selling Côtes de Provence Rosé shares many characteristics with Ame du Vin. 

First, the coupage originates from Provence and Grenache dominates the body. There is also 30% of Cinsault and 15% of Syrah which add to the flowery profile of this wine. The grapes are picked early in the morning to ensure optimal freshness and special attention is paid to the fermentation process to preserve the original color and aroma. 

This brand has been under the helm of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits since 2016 and the master winemaker Vincent Euzet is behind the Côtes de Provence Rosé. 

Visit Fleurs de Prairie to find a store that keeps Côtes de Provence Rosé. 

California Roots 

California Roots was off to a really good start in 2017 and the brand sold 125,000 9-liter cases. But then, they exploded to 390,000 cases in 2018, increasing the brand’s output by 212%. The wine is supplied by Trinchero Family Estates, the same company that’s behind the Sutter Home. 

At the time of this writing, the brand featured seven varietals, all originating from California. The tasting notes are well-balanced and the true highlights are the fruity Pinot Grigio and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. 

As for the flavor, you can expect rich and bold fruity tastes Trinchero Family Estates is known for. However, the brand itself is still in its infancy. There’s more work to be done on the website and the label design is a bit underwhelming. 

But this is all secondary to the taste, so feel free to take a look at their offer. 

Cave de Lugny

Cave de Lugny is not a new brand, as the estate has been producing wine since the ‘70s. That said, it is a relative newcomer in the American market and the brand is supplied by Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. Between 2017 and 2018 the sales increased by 146% and for a good reason. 

Crémant de Bourgogne blends are the winery’s flagship blends and they are made according to the traditional production methods. The coupage contains a palatable balance of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Crémant de Bourgogne. 

At the time of this writing, Cave de Lugny offered six different Crémants and they come at reasonable prices. In addition, the winery produces an assortment of single varietal whites and reds that reflect the brand’s Southern Burgundy pedigree. 

Click here to learn more about the Cave de Lugny wines. 

Brands in the Fast Lane 

The following are among the most popular wine brands that have been in the market for five or more years. They’ve sold more than 100,000 cases in 2018 and have experienced, at least, a double-digit sales increase over the past three years. 

19 Crimes 

If you look beyond the catchy name and sinister labeling, 19 Crimes on its way to becoming one of the most popular wine brands overall. In 2017, the brand sold 512,000 cases and the following year the sales more than doubled. Truth be told, this is the only young brand that had a three-digit sales increase according to the Beverage Information & Insight Group. 

The stats are impressive indeed, but they don’t give you the idea about the wine’s origin and flavor profile. The 19 Crimes' main focus is on the reds and The Warden is a bold coupage that offers full-bodied taste with subtle hints of berries and cherries. 

It is worth noting that the information about the grape's origin and tasting notes is quite limited on the winery’s website. But this is well-compensated with interesting stories that revolve around the labels. 

Take a look at the 19 Crimes inmates here. 

Campo Viejo

With an almost 50% increase between 2017 and 2018, Campo Viejo is among the most promising young brands. The thing that makes them unique is the contemporary approach to traditional wine-making techniques. 

The winery focuses on Rioja and it offers nine Rioja labels, plus Cava Brut rosé and Cava Brut Reserva. It’s interesting that Campo Viejo has a female-only team of winemakers and their combined experience adds to the unique flavor profile. 

Another thing that contributes to the brand’s popularity is its online presence. Campo Viejo has a massive following on Facebook, and Instagram and Twitter follow suit. 

Get a taste of the exciting Campo Viejo world at this link. 

Bota Box 

If we’re strictly talking percentage, Bota Box sales increase is decent. But a look at the number of sold cases and it’s easy to understand that this is a powerhouse of a wine brand. In 2017, the brand sold more than six million cases and that number was close to seven million in 2018. 

Their secret lies in the combination of unorthodox packaging and great wine. Most aficionados cringe at the idea of wine in a box, but Bota Box managed to pull it off. What’s more, the brand received the Best Buys award from the Wine Enthusiast. 

All the varietals are from California and the brand includes food pairing tips along with the tasting notes. It’s worth noting that Bota Box targets outdoorsy people who’d appreciate the convenience of carrying a box rather than a bottle. 

The brand features sixteen labels and it’s hard to single out just one or two. But if you prefer bold reds, you should try the Nighthawk Black Cabernet. And those who are into whites won’t go wrong with Bota Box’s Chardonnay. 

Check out all the boxes here.

Liberty Creek  

Based on the sales figures, Liberty Creek is just behind Bota Box. With more than 4.8 million cases sold in 2018, this brand increased its sales by around 10% compared to 2017. The brand delivers an assortment of whites and reds and the Liberty Creek White Zinfandel is a true highlight. 

Some of the Liberty Creek labels are also available in Tetra Pak which is another thing that adds to the brand’s popularity and versatility. This package is quite smaller compared to the Bota Box one and it holds 500ml of wine. 

As for the taste, Liberty Creek’s reds are bold and smooth with subtle notes of fruit and berries. On the other hand, the brand’s whites feature a light and fresh body with just a touch of sweetness and citrusy notes. 

Take a look at the full Liberty Creek offer at this link. 

Popular Wine Brands That Made a Big Comeback

As indicated, the wine industry is moving at an unprecedented pace and it’s sometimes hard to keep up with the competition. However, there are brands that managed to spring back to life and reach enviable sales figures and growth. To make things clear, the following brands have made a comeback in 2017, after declining sales in the previous years.

Chateau Ste Michelle  

Chateau Ste Michelle has been around for more than fifty years and it has evolved into an exclusive estate for wine connoisseurs. From chateau-hosted tasting events to Ste Michelle wine clubs, this brand offers full service that can make even the most discerning wine aficionados happy. 

In 2017 and 2018 the sales figures came close to 3.3 million cases of wine, putting the brand at the very top. The overall increase was about 1%, which might sound small, but this is not insignificant by any means, especially in the light of the previous decline. 

Sales figures aside, Chateau Ste Michelle is a true wine lover’s paradise and it has one of the most extensive collections of proprietary labels. The gem is the 2015 Impetus red which was rated 94+ points by wine expert Jeb Dunnuck. 

However, Chateau Ste Michelle has much more to offer, click here to see all the wines and events. 

Robert Mondavi Private Selection

From 2017 to 2018, Robert Mondavi’s sales jumped 12.2% to reach more than 2.1 million cases. The Private Selection series features fifteen labels, including four spirits barrel-aged options. From stylish design to unique tasting notes, this brand is bound to increase its presence in the future. 

Like always, most of the appeal comes from the exceptional flavor profile. You won’t go wrong with Robert Mondavi’s regular labels, but the spirits barrel-aged ones are a must. For example, Private Selection Merlot is one of the latest additions to the barrel-aged lineup. 

The wine matures in rum barrels which gives it unique tasting notes of toasted coconut, spices, and vanilla. Plus, this wine won the gold medal at the Denver International Wine Competition of 2019. 

Visit the Robert Mondavi Private Selection website for more information about the brand’s wines. 

High Sales and Great Tastes

Whichever way you look at it, the most popular wines top the best selling list. And it’s not hard to figure out the common denominators that make a top wine brand. 

First and foremost, the wine itself needs to be of top quality and pedigree. Then there’s the appealing label design and packaging - 19 Crimes and Bota Box are the prime examples of this. 

Though this is a comprehensive list of the brands that deserve your attention, you shouldn’t limit yourself to these. Go out and find boutique wines that might be the next contenders for the best-selling charts.