Washington, DC, May 8—WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries, spent this week lobbying Congress, unveiling a 2025 National Economic Impact Study of the Wine Industry, and introducing a new Membership Team to enlarge and strengthen the organization.
Annual DC Fly-In
Direct constituent contact is the most powerful way to educate legislators about the American wine industry’s priorities, concerns, and recommendations. Each year WineAmerica coordinates a two-day Fly-In which includes about 30 members from wineries and associations who meet in person with their Senators, Representatives, and legislative staff, as well as leadership of the Tax and Trade Bureau and United States Department of Agriculture.
Michael Kaiser, Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs, scheduled some 80 meetings for WineAmerica members who traveled from Arizona, California, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
Top legislative issues included the effects of tariffs on the American wine industry; the process behind the review of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), which could have a negative effect on future wine consumption; and the Farm Bill which contains vital funding for research, export promotion, value added grants, disaster relief, crop insurance and other programs. Those issues were also discussed directly with top officials of USDA, and the entire WineAmerica delegation met with TTB brass on regulatory matters.
During WineAmerica’s business meeting, the Fly-In attendees from coast to coast also heard presentations by Donnell Brown, President of the National Grape Research Alliance covering the current state of research funding for our industry; Bennett Caplan, President of Abridge, on the international implications of the current tariff war; and Sarah Bals and her colleague Taylor Vidmar on their plans to boost WineAmerica’s membership (below).
2025 Economic Impact Study
WineAmerica delegates also shared the highlights of the organization’s new 2025 National Economic Impact Study of the Wine Industry, conducted by economic research firm John Dunham & Associates, which had also done similar studies in 2017 and 2022.
The study includes not just national data, but detailed information for all 50 states, so Washington officials were handed infographics and data tables for the national impact AND for their individual states to emphasize the value of wine at all levels. The topline national statistics include:
–$323.55 Billion Total Economic Impact
–All 50 States Produce Wine
–10,761 Wine Producers
–763,080 Vineyard Acres
–1.75 Million Jobs
–$102.14 Billion Wages
–74 Million Tourist Visits
–$14.13 Billion Tourist Expenditures
–$27.07 Billion State & Local Taxes
–$26.18 Billion Federal Taxes
–$53.24 Billion Total Taxes
All three studies detail Direct, Supplier, and Induced impacts, with Direct involving the production and consumption of wine from vineyard to glass; Supplier including the many businesses that benefit from the wine industry’s need for goods and services; and Induced reflecting the local expenditures of employees in both other categories.
The total economic impact has increased from $220 billion in 2017 to $276 billion in 2022 and now $323 billion in 2025. An explanation of the increase, plus a detailed Methodology with Frequently Asked Questions, is included as part of the study, which will soon be posted on the WineAmerica website.
New WineAmerica Membership Team
WineAmerica is funded exclusively by voluntary membership support from wineries, associations and suppliers. One winery member described his participation as “an insurance premium for public policy” just as he pays other premiums for auto, home, life, and winery insurance. The organization’s goal is to protect and enhance the business climate for the American wine industry through proactive grassroots public policy.
WineAmerica began in 1978 as the Association of American Vintners, a tiny regional organization of about 5 eastern states, and over time has grown to be the only national association of American wineries, with about 400 members from 45 states. Still, further growth is needed to expand our ability to serve the industry.
As a result, the organization now has a new Membership Team in the form of four professionals from 440 Marketing in Cleveland, who will formally begin in June. Company founder Sarah Bals is joined by Marketing Strategist Karli Keene, Social Media Manager Savannah King, and Content Strategist Taylor Vidmar. They will be responsible for database development and management, content creation, personal outreach, and feedback information.
