California Ag Network

Tag: Danny Brager

  • Bright Spots for the Wine Market

    The wine industry has been struggling since the pandemic, but there are some bright spots. The premium side of the market is doing relatively better than the value end, and there are opportunities with packaging and the ready-to-drink beverage category. Danny Brager with Azur Associates spoke with Matthew Malcolm from Malcolm Media Ag Publishing at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium to discuss the silver linings in the market. Watch this quick video and learn more in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Are Consumers Leaving Wine Behind in the Slew of Alternative Beverages and Social Trends?

    It’s no secret that the wine industry is struggling, but it’s been difficult for some to wrap their heads around the many forces driving the decline in wine sales, and knowing how to prosper in today’s market. Alcohol beverage analyst Danny Brager shared some insights on the social and marketing trends impacting today’s wine consumers at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. Watch this brief interview with Danny and read more about current wine market trends in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SIPCAM AGRO USA for their industry support.

  • Global Alcohol Beverage Consumption Drops, Impacting California Wine Industry

    Wine grape growers may have difficulty finding a home for their crop this season due to a global decline in consumer demand for wine and alcoholic beverages overall.  Watch this brief interview with Danny Brager of Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting to learn more.

  • How to Meet Today’s Wine Consumers Where They Are

    The rising generation of wine consumers are uniquely different from those that came before in so many ways.  As growers, wine makers and marketers seek to navigate changing trends and behaviors, watch this video featuring beverage alcohol consultant Danny Brager as he shares how to meet today’s wine consumers where they are.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

  • CA Wine Sales Hit $35.2 Billion in U.S. Market

    California wine shipments in the U.S. reached an estimated retail value of $35.2 billion in 2017, up 3% from the previous year. The state shipped 241 million nine-liter cases in the U.S. in 2017, up 1%.

    California wine sales to all markets, including shipments to the U.S. and exports worldwide, were 278 million cases in 2017.

    “Consumers in the U.S. and worldwide continue to trade up to higher-priced premium wines,” said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, Wine Institute President and CEO. “The quality, selection and commitment to sustainability make California wines well-positioned for growth.”

    “California wine sales in the U.S. market have grown 15% in the past decade from 209 million cases shipped in 2008 to 241 million cases in 2017,” said Jon Moramarco, founder and managing partner of BW166, and editor of the Gomberg-Fredrikson Report. “Last year the growth mainly came from premium wines priced over $10.”

    According to Moramarco, demographic trends play a significant role in wine sales. While per capita consumption has been flat over the last decade, wine sales have grown in line with the legal drinking age population, which increased roughly 10 percent over the same time period. Additional trends impacting sales included wineries focusing on tasting room and direct-to-consumer sales, which accounted for nearly $2.7 billion in retail value and 5.8 million cases in 2017. Wineries also found opportunities in independent, local restaurants with wine menus listing limited production wines to appeal to consumers shifting their spending to these smaller eating establishments.

    2017 California Wine Stats

    “Wine is growing but in a more challenging environment, with rapid and broad retail and consumer changes,” said Danny Brager, Senior Vice President of Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice Area. “Wine selling locations in the U.S. are up 20% from a decade ago to 565,000 off- and on-premise locations, with a wide range of formats such as natural/gourmet grocery stores, no frills/value-based formats, theaters, premium bars and fast/casual on-premise outlets. There is also a diverse range of consumers, from Millennials who have less disposable income than a generation ago to Baby Boomers who are retiring and likely slowing their wine consumption as an increasing number of Americans are entering their golden years. Marketers need to find the right balance in attracting these diverse sets of consumers. E-commerce is increasingly having an impact on expanding consumer access to wine, and wineries are working on several digital platforms where wine is being sold,” he explained.

    According to Nielsen-measured U.S. off-premise sales, top-selling varietals by volume are: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Blends, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Moscato/Muscat, Rosé and White Zinfandel/Blush. Rosé continues to be a phenomenal growth story, with sales volume jumping 60% compared to the previous year.

    Total shipments of sparkling wine and champagne to the U.S. reached 26.3 million cases in 2017. Up 8% from the previous year, sparkling wines/champagnes accounted for a 7% share of the U.S. wine market.

    The U.S. Wine Market
    Wine shipments to the U.S. from all production sources — California, other states and foreign producers — grew 1% to 403.4 million cases in 2017, with an estimated retail value of $62.2 billion, up 2% from the previous year. The U.S. has remained the world’s largest wine market by volume since 2010. California’s 241 million cases shipped within the U.S. in 2017 represent a 60% share of the U.S. wine market.

    U.S. Wine Exports
    U.S. wine exports, more than 90% from California, reached $1.53 billion in winery revenues in 2017. Volume shipments were 380 million liters or 42.2 million cases. The European Union’s 28-member countries were the top market for U.S. wine exports, accounting for $553 million; followed by Canada, $444 million; Hong Kong, $119 million; Japan, $94 million; China, $79 million; South Korea, $25 million; Mexico, $23 million; Singapore, $17 million; and Philippines, $14 million.

    CALIFORNIA WINE SHIPMENTS1
    (In millions of 9-liter cases)
    Year California Wine Shipments to All Markets in the U.S. and Abroad2 California Wine Shipments to the U.S. Market2 Estimated Retail Value of CA Wine to U.S.3
    2017 277.9 240.7 $35.2 billion
    2016 279.7 239.1 $34.3 billion
    2015 278.2 233.7 $32.6 billion
    2014 273.0 229.7 $31.3 billion
    2013 263.8 221.2 $29.7 billion
    2012 250.4 210.8 $29.0 billion
    2011 265.5 224.3 $28.5 billion
    2010 246.1 206.3 $28.5 billion
    2009 253.2 213.8 $27.6 billion
    2008 255.3 208.8 $26.1 billion
    2007 241.2 198.3 $24.8 billion
    2006 235.8 196.9 $24.4 billion
    2005 231.6 194.1 $23.0 billion
    2004 226.3 182.4 $22.2 billion
    2003 211.9 177.0 $20.8 billion
    2002 195.4 168.3 $21.5 billion

    Sources: Wine Institute, BW166/Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates and U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Preliminary. History revised.

    1Includes table, champagne/sparkling, dessert, vermouth, other special natural, sake and others. Excludes cider.
    2Excludes bulk imports bottled in U.S.
    3Estimated retail value includes markups by wholesalers, retailers and restaurateurs.

    WINE SALES IN THE U.S
    (Wine shipments in millions of 9-liter cases from California,
    other states and foreign producers entering U.S. distribution)
    Year Table Wine1 Dessert Wine2 Sparkling Wine/
    Champagne    		 Total Wine Total Retail Value3
    2017 336.3 40.8 26.3 403.4 $62.2 billion
    2016 333.2 41.2 24.4 398.8 $61.1 billion
    2015 325.6 40.2 21.7 387.5 $57.4 billion
    2014 323.7 34.6 20.6 378.8 $55.5 billion
    2013 327.0 31.6 18.9 377.5 $52.3 billion
    2012 319.5 30.3 17.9 367.7 $50.8 billion
    2011 308.1 31.4 17.5 357.0 $48.6 billion
    2010 290.8 28.9 15.4 335.0 $46.5 billion
    2009 282.4 27.2 14.0 323.5 $45.2 billion
    2008 272.2 27.7 13.6 313.5 $45.0 billion
    2007 272.5 26.7 13.9 313.0 $43.5 billion
    2006 258.8 24.3 13.6 296.7 $41.5 billion
    2005 255.4 22.5 13.1 290.9 $38.5 billion
    2004 245.3 20.3 13.2 278.8 $36.2 billion
    2003 237.0 17.6 12.0 266.6 $34.0 billion
    2002 222.5 15.9 11.5 250.0 $33.0 billion

    Sources: Wine Institute, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, and Estimates by BW166/Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates. Preliminary. History revised. Excludes exports. Excludes cider as of 2011 going forward. Totals may not add up exactly due to rounding.

    1Includes all still wines not over 14 percent alcohol, including bulk imports bottled in the U.S.
    2Includes all still wines over 14 percent alcohol and sake, including bulk imports bottled in the U.S.
    3Estimated retail value includes markups by wholesalers, retailers and restaurateurs. Includes on- and off-premise expenditures.