Wine Institute Secures $6 Million for California Wine Exports

Wine Institute said Friday that it had secured $6 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service to support its California Wine Export Program, a move the group said would help expand sales of American wine in overseas markets at a time when exporters are looking for new growth.

The money comes through the America First Trade Promotion Program, a federal initiative aimed at promoting U.S. agricultural products abroad. Wine Institute said the funding would be used for targeted marketing and sales efforts in priority international markets, where California wine already has a presence in more than 140 countries.

Steve Gross, the institute’s interim president and chief executive, said the support would help the industry tell the story of American wine as a product tied to family ownership, craftsmanship and long-term stewardship of the land. Honore Comfort, vice president of international marketing at Wine Institute, said the funding arrived at an important moment as California wineries work to strengthen their position in global markets.

Wine Institute said about 95% of American wineries are family-owned or operated, making exports an important part of their business model and long-term financial stability. For many producers, especially smaller ones, overseas sales can help support vineyards, jobs and operations in California’s wine regions.

The institute was one of 55 organizations nationwide selected for funding under the program. It said the award reflects both the importance of wine in U.S. agricultural exports and the role federal support plays in helping producers compete internationally.

The California Wine Export Program is a public-private partnership supported by winery contributions and USDA’s Market Access Program. Wine Institute said the program promotes California wine overseas while also working on trade policy issues, including regulatory cooperation and efforts to reduce barriers to export growth.