RICHLAND, Wash. -- Recent data shows the sales of Washington wines are increasing more than the national average.
A Nielsen survey shows, from July 2008 to July 2009, volume wine sales in the U.S. increased 2.4%. In Washington, volume sales increased 6.8%, almost three times the national average.
There was also an increase in the total value of Washington wines, indicating consumers are buying wines at a wide range of price points. Local wine-makers say the increases are a result of hard work by talented people.
"I think when you look at what's produced in Washington - at high price points, medium price points, and low price points - relative quality is higher", said Rob Griffin, owner of Barnard and Griffin Winery in Richland.
Griffin says, with declining price points, people are simply drinking better wines at lower prices.
