Chateau Ste. Michelle: Number One Wine Brand

by Shona Milne on August 7, 2017

Chateau Ste. Michelle Becomes Number One Wine Brand Sold in Food Stores Nationally

by Press Release
August 03, 2017

Woodinville, Wash. — Washington’s founding winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle has come out on top as the number one premium table wine brand sold in food stores nationwide.

Chateau Ste. Michelle received the ranking of the highest-selling wine brand in the premium category by data and ratings company Nielsen, which tracked the volume of sales in the U.S. across 52 weeks ending on June 17th, 2017.

Ted Baseler, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates president and CEO, marvels at the remarkable growth of Chateau Ste. Michelle and credits the pioneering spirit of the region, and continued investment in the winery and its Washington vineyards.

“Who would have known half a century ago that a wine from Washington state would be the #1 in food stores?” remarks Baseler. “It is a testament to decades of hard work, research and constantly striving for enhanced quality in the vineyard and cellar.”

Fifty years ago—in 1967—a small winery called Ste. Michelle Vintners introduced its first vintage of a European-style premium wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Yakima Valley.

It was this release that marked the beginning of today’s thriving Washington wine industry. Washington is now the nation’s number two producer of premium wine with more than 50,000 planted acres, nearly 1,000 wineries and 14 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).

Today, Chateau Ste. Michelle wines are available in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Located outside of Seattle in Woodinville, Washington, Chateau Ste. Michelle hosts more than 300,000 visitors annually.

Further elevating the state and country’s wine industry, the winery was the first to introduce international wine partners to Washington: Piero Antinori of Tuscany (Col Solare), Ernst Loosen of Germany (Eroica) and Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie of France (Tenet).

This year, Chateau Ste. Michelle is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with commemorative Cabernet and Chardonnay bottlings, special events, library wine releases, the visitor center expansion, its famous Summer Concert Series and other programs throughout 2017.

Please visit ste-michelle.com for event information and updates. Follow Chateau Ste. Michelle on Instagram: @chateaustemichelle, Facebook: Ste. Michelle, Twitter: @stemichelle and the conversation at #CSM50.

About Chateau Ste. Michelle

Founded in 1934, Chateau Ste. Michelle pioneered vinifera grape growing in Washington State and has been producing classic European varietal wines under the Ste. Michelle label since 1967. The winery combines an ongoing dedication to research with a commitment to classic winemaking traditions. The winery owns 3,900 acres of vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Eastern Washington, including Canoe Ridge Estate and Cold Creek, which are LIVE and Salmon Safe certified. Chateau Ste. Michelle enjoys winemaking partnerships with some of the world’s most distinguished vintners. Col Solare is an alliance with Tuscany’s Piero Antinori, Eroica Riesling is a partnership with the Mosel’s Ernst Loosen and Tenet is a collaboration with Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie of France. Chateau Ste. Michelle has received a long list of awards including 22 “Top 100 Wineries of The Year” honors (Wine & Spirits) and 18 “Top 100 Wines” designations (Wine Spectator). Chateau Ste. Michelle also has a long history of giving back to the industry and community. The net proceeds from its popular Summer Concert Series helps fund its charitable giving program, which supports some 400 non-profit organizations annually, has provided more than $3 million for scholarships for high-achieving, low-income students at Washington universities, and supports the Viticulture & Enology Program at Washington State University.

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