More US wineries than ever sold their products directly to consumers in 2007, a new study shows.
Last year direct sales - those driven through tasting rooms, wine clubs, the internet, mail order and telesales - reached a record high of $2.8 billion, research by wine marketing company VinterActive LLC discovered.
The survey questioned more than 3,500 bonded wineries across the states.
Key Findings
Total direct sales by US wineries in 2007: $2.8 Billion
Year-over-year change in consumer direct sales at
established wineries in 2007: - 2%
Tasting room sales growth in 2007: +29%
Wine club sales decline in 2007: -4%
Online wine sales growth in 2007: +3%
Phone order growth in 2007: +33%
Direct mail sales decline in 2007: -11%
US wineries projecting consumer direct as their fastest growing sales channel in 2008: +57%