US: Barefoot Steps Further Ahead in Sales

(Wines&Vines) - Winery giants E. & J. Gallo and Constellation Wines dominated the top 20 wine brands selling off-premise through May, according to market research firm IRI with analysis by Wines & Vines. Each of the industry giants claim five brands in the top 20. Gallo clearly led the pack in 52-week sales with $678 million collectively among five labels, and its Barefoot brand was No. 1 with $323 million.

Barefoot was already No. 1 when we last published this list in August 2011, but since then the $6-per-bottle brand added $68 million in annual sales. Sutter Home was No. 2 two years ago, and it held that place in the new rankings with virtually the same $208 million.

Constellation’s five brands in the top 20 accounted for $501 million at the major U.S. food and drug stores monitored by IRI. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi was No. 4, Clos Du Bois was No. 12 and Robert Mondavi No. 13. Two other Constellation brands—Rex Goliath and Black Box—jumped into the top 20 at spots 17 and 19.

The Wine Group’s Cupcake Vineyards brand bounced onto the top 20 at No. 9. Other wines moving up on the list were Woodbridge, Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Livingston Cellars. Dropping off the list were Sterling Vintners Collection, Fetzer and Cavit Italian wines. Fourteen of the top 20 improved their sales performance in the past year. Black Box grew at the highest rate of 30%, and Bogle Vineyards (the only independent brand in the top 20), grew by 21%. All three box wines in the top 20 raised their prices and still increased sales.