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The volume in December was 427,616 cases. November was the biggest sales month of 2015, rising $36 million from 2014 due to an unusual surge. November sales usually retreat slightly from October. The 2015 data also confirm that DtC ship- ments are most important to smaller wineries. The accompanying table (page 11) clearly shows that small wineries (those producing 5,000-49,000 cases per year) led all other win- ery size categories in DtC shipments during 2015. They sent 1.9 million cases worth $933.4 million. The next winery size category (50,000 to 499,000 cases per year) shipped 74% as many cases as the small wineries but received 47% less in revenue. The average DtC bottle price for 2015 was $36.28, or more than five times higher than the average retail price for domestic wine cal- culated by market-research firm IRI at $6.27. The high-priced DtC sales channel is ele- vated by a heavy proportion of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends. The average Cabernet Sauvignon price from all sources was $68.71. Napa's share of DtC shipments was respon- sible for 51% of the total DtC value; Sonoma accounted for 17% and Oregon for 5%. —Jim Gordon METRICS 12 WINES&VINES February 2016 O ff-premise sales of domestic wine fin- ished the year with 7% growth in the month of December as well as 7% growth for the year, according to market-re- search firm IRI. These results were brighter than those from December 2014, when the comparable numbers were 4% and 5%, but not quite as good as the end of 2013, when the 12-month growth rate hit 9%. The results reflect a long-running expansion of off-premise sales that has seen totals rise by $1.6 billion since the end of 2012, to hit $8.4 billion, according to IRI's report based on multiple-outlet and convenience stores. December is always the best month for off- premise wine sales, and December 2015 saw value rise to $836.8 million for table and spar- kling wine combined. The volume of domestic wine in December reached 10.3 million 9-liter cases, a 4% increase from December 2014. Off-Premise Off-Premise Sales End Year on a High Note The Cool Climate Series by T.W. Boswell is the embodiment of elegance. To emphasize fruit and terroir, Cool Climate Series barrels are exclusively crafted with 36 month, extra fine grain French oak as part of T.W. Boswell's Special Reserve premium wood selection. Our team nurtures this exceptional wood source, and then each barrel is specially crafted using new, low-impact proprietary toasts that focus on finesse, thereby complementing delicate fruit and accentuating elegance. Cool Climate Series Special Reserve French Oak Barrels ANNUAL OFF-PREMISE SALES 2012 2013 2014 2015 $ Billions $10 $8 $6 $4 $2 0 Source: , Wines Vines Analytics. Domestic table and sparkling wine sales in multiple-outlet and convenience stores.