LIVERMORE VALLEY, CA—June 29, 2021– Wente Family Estates, the longest, continuously family-owned, and operated winery in the United States, will be moving to a new, larger warehouse the first week of August 2021. After experiencing consecutive years of dynamic growth in domestic and international markets the company moved quickly to sign a new lease on a warehouse that will support their accelerated growth in consumer demand. “Outgrowing our previous warehouse footprint is one of those “capacity issues” we have been more than pleased to see emerge in recent years.” Says Wente Family Estates Chief Executive Officer Tyson Overton. “This expansion is the product of our employees shared commitment to delivering outstanding quality and value across the Wente Family Estates portfolio at every price point and a focus on supporting a loyal and continuously growing base of consumers across the US and the 75+ countries we are so appreciative to serve.”
The Wente Vineyards brand experienced a blockbuster year in 2020, as consumers turned to ‘tried and true’ trusted brands. Wente Vineyards’ shipments grew +11% versus 2019 and depletions followed +6%. This growth was led by Morning Fog Chardonnay, Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon and Wetmore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon—as the family continues to showcase the leadership of Livermore Valley and the Central Coast in Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wente Family Estates has also seen tremendous success with innovation brands including Angels Ink Pinot Noir, which realized significant new item placements and distribution expansion in 2020. A notable exception to the trend of many leading trade partners to limit introductions during the global pandemic.
Despite that many brands are facing a decline in sales trends from March to April 2021 compared to the prior year’s “pantry loading”, Wente Vineyards is one of six brands growing in dollar sales, showing +4.7% in IRI 12-week data and trending +10% in the 4-week data*. Wente Vineyards growth continues in the latest IRI data, with dollar sales +21% versus the prior year, led by Morning Fog Chardonnay +31%, and Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon +18.7%. **
The new warehouse will allow Wente Vineyards to grow sustainably, while allowing Wente Family Estates to continue to build their portfolio through new brand development, grow sales in key international markets, and expand their import portfolio partnerships: Bodega Cuarto Dominio and Blanchard & Lurton from Argentina, along with Blanchard Perez Organic CAVA from Spain. “It’s encouraging to see consumers get re-acquainted with the quality of Wente Vineyards and continue the enjoyment of our namesake brand. It is also exciting to see global sales outperforming our expectations, with our export business growing over 20% through the first half of 2021. Not to mention, the initial reaction in the first year of launch with Angel’s Ink tells us we have a long runway to build this consumer brand,” says Chief Sales Officer David Enderle.
With the move to a new warehouse, Wente Family Estates will have to pause all shipments for the first week of August but will be primed and ready to close the fiscal year strong as they head into the biggest selling months of the year with an improved warehouse and management system. “Though we have been in business for 138 years, it feels like we are just getting started. We are incredibly optimistic about the future for Wente Family Estates and look forward to continuing our positive trends with space to grow,” says Overton.
About Wente Family Estates
Wente Family Estates was established by Carl H. Wente who came to California as an immigrant 138 years ago. The company portfolio includes Wente Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, Hayes Ranch, Ravel & Stitch, entwine, Angels Ink, and Double Decker brands. The winery draws from certified sustainable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines distributed in all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide. In 2010, it joined the top 10% of California wineries that meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes & designation for being certified in both winery and vineyard operations. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. 2012 marked the 100th anniversary of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings to California from France. Today, the Wente clones of Chardonnay are the most widely planted in California.
Wente Family Estates is among the top 30 wineries in the United States from the standpoint of production and distribution. The winery has a brisk domestic business and a significant share of the export wine market, where the wines have enjoyed international acclaim for decades. Wente Family Estates is also a leading export company, selling wines to 75 countries globally.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations. In 2018, the winery took a leadership role in its longstanding mission to inspire employees and guests to make time for what really matters, as realized through Wente Vineyards’ best practices, outstanding wines, and wine country experiences. For more information, visit www.wentevineyards.com.
