Virginia Wine Sales Reach Record High

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA – Wine sales in Virginia are showing explosive growth levels, reaching another record high during fiscal year 2016, with more than 556,500 cases, (more than 6.6 million bottles) sold, according to an announcement by Governor Terry McAuliffe. These sales represent a 6 percent jump from fiscal year 2015, when Virginia wineries sold more than 524,800 cases. Sales of Virginia wine have increased by 34 percent since fiscal year 2010.

For the second year, the Virginia Wine Marketing Office tracked Virginia cider sales separately from Virginia wines, and the results reflect rapid growth. During fiscal year 2016, more than 416,750 cases of Virginia cider were sold, an increase of more than 52 percent over fiscal year 2015, when more than 273,250* cases sold. National industry analysts expect continued solid growth in this sector for the next several years, according to the Governor's announcement.

In Loudoun County, currently there are more than 40 wineries and vineyards, as well as three cideries, out of the more than 285 wineries and 16 cideries located in the state. A total of 1,387 tons of grapes were produced in Loudoun in 2015 with 541 acres under vine, according to a Visit Loudoun spokesperson.

“Virginia wines and ciders are continuing to increase their robust sales and contributing to a more diversified Virginia agricultural sector,” said Governor McAuliffe. “These vineyards and orchards are providing jobs, revenue and expanded tourism opportunities, especially in many of our more rural areas across the Commonwealth. With more than 285 wineries and 16 cideries, Virginia is a preeminent destination for wine and cider lovers. The Virginia wine and cider industries, along with our craft beer and distilled spirits industries, play an important role in our efforts to build a new Virginia economy.”

Virginia has been the recipient of increased wine media coverage over the past several years, most recently in Wine Enthusiast magazine’s June edition, Virginia Revolutionaries; and Food & Wine magazine’s May issue, Best Virginia Wines & Their Classic Region Counterparts. Earlier this month, Virginia tasting rooms, winery tours, wine country hotels, winery restaurants and wine festivals ranked in the top 10 in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice: Best of America’s Wine Regions in several categories, including the Salamander Resort & Spa in Loudoun County:

• Best Wine Country Hotel: The Salamander Resort & Spa, Middleburg (ranked #4) and The Inn at Little Washington, Washington (ranked #10)
• Best Wine Festival: Virginia Wine Summit, held at The Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, in 2016 (ranked #4)
• Best Tasting Room: Early Mountain Vineyards, Madison (ranked #1)
• Best Winery Tour: King Family Vineyards, Crozet (ranked #7)

Virginia currently ranks fifth in the number of wineries in the nation and is the nation’s fifth largest wine grape producing state. Currently, Virginia is sixth in the nation for number of cideries. According to a 2012 economic impact study, the Virginia wine industry, including the Virginia cider industry, employs more than 4,700 and contributes almost $750 million to the Virginia economy on an annual basis, according to the Governor's announcement.

To read the detailed announcement, click here.

*Revised 2015 cider figure.

Photos courtesy of Visit Loudoun