Number of California Wineries and U.S. Wineries

Bonded winery premises include every licensed production facility of single firms or individuals, licensed warehouses, experimental wineries and wineries with no case goods production or fermentation capacity.

In case you were wondering… What is winery bond? And Why do Winery’s need a Winery Bond? Here’s your answer: In order for a winery to be open for business they must have a winery bond, sometimes referred to as an operating bond. The operating bond includes the tax value of the “in bond” wine either on the premises of the vineyard and anticipated deliveries.

The size of the bond can be calculated by multiplying a winery’s tax rate by the maximum storage capacity, which can be determined by the maximum quantity of wine expected to be stored at one time. Wineries must pay close attention to do these calculations with the correct figures for the wine that is produced, because they are not the same. For example, still wine 14% and under is taxed at $1.07/gallon; still wine over 14% but not over 21% is taxed at $1.57/gallon; sparkling wine is taxed at $3.40/gallon.

Bonded winery licenses are only issued by U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau for the purpose of designating a tax-paid environment for wine.

Bonded Wineries

Year

California

United States

2010

3,364

7,626

2009

2,972

6,705

2008

2,843

6,368

2007

2,687

5,958

2006

2,447

5,424

2005

2,275

4,929

2004

2,059

4,356

2003

1,869

3,873

2002

1,704

3,469

2001

1,562

3,187

2000

1,450

2,904

1999

1,364*

2,688*

1998

1,185

2,338

1997

1,011

1,988

1996

877

1,755

1995

944

1,820

1994

922

1,772

1993

866

1,683

1992

845

1,648

1991

827

1,623

1990

807

1,610

1989

799

1,573

1988

775

1,541

1987

750

1,453

1986

739

1,455

1985

712

1,367

1984

676

1,246

1983

641

1,172

1982

606

1,084

1981

576

1,021

1980

508

920

1975

330

579

1970

240

441

1965

232

424

1960

256

500

1955

360

679

1950

428

879

1945

414

903

1940

474

1,090

Source: U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau and Wine Institute

- Market Action Reseach Team

"Marketing What Matters Now"

We are not attorneys nor are we claiming to give legal advice. This information is sole use and purposes of information. Please contact an attorney should you have any legal questions about bonds. We do not handle winery bonds or answer any legal questions pertaining to winery bonds.