California: Impact of Sonoma Wine Pegged at $13.4 Billion

(Wines&Vines) - The wine industry’s economic impact on Sonoma County has nearly doubled since 2005, growing to $13.4 billion.

That’s according to a report commissioned by the Sonoma County Winegrowers and Sonoma County Vintners. The groups shared some key figures prior to the Sonoma County Vintners’ annual meeting earlier today, though the full report won’t be released for a few weeks.

Wine-related tourism generated more than $1.25 billion in 2012, compared to $263 million in 2005—not surprising considering the county has been named the United States’ top destination for wine tourism, said Honore Comfort, executive director for the Sonoma County Vintners.

Other findings in the report by Napa, Calif.-based Stonebridge Research Group found that the industry directly and indirectly supports 54,297 full-time jobs that generate $3.2 billion in total wages. The industry also generates $1.4 billion in local, state and federal taxes as well.

Total retail sales of Sonoma County’s wineries are estimated to have surpassed $3 billion in 2012. The county is home to 755 wineries, according to Wines Vines Analytics.

The latest findings put the total value of the county’s grape crop at $582 million, which is an increase of 35% over the $431 million reported in the 2005 county crop report. The 2005 county crop report put the county’s total vineyard acreage at 57,050 acres, and the same report in 2012 recorded 58,349 bearing vineyard acres. Despite a relatively minor increase in acreage, the county still recorded a significant increase in crop value. “Pretty impressive,” Comfort said of the findings, which she urged the crowd of vintners attending the meeting to share with the local community and elected officials.