(Wines&Vines) - Total U.S. wine sales in the past 12 months reached $37.8 billion and topped more than $2.5 billion in January alone.

January DtC shipments increased 15% over the previous year, and off-premise sales grew by 10%. All of the wine sales metrics exhibited positive growth in the past 12 months, according to the latest report by Wines Vines Analytics. 

This month’s report also included the top 20 table wine brands in the off-premise sector. E. & J. Gallo Winery’s Barefoot brand remains at the top spot with sales of $656 million in the past 52 weeks. Since Wines & Vines last reported on the top 20 seven months ago, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi replaced Franzia at the No. 3 spot, Chateau Ste. Michelle moved to No. 7, and Liberty Creek joined the list at No. 20. Gallo and Constellation Brands Inc. accounted for half of the brands on the list.

Total wine sales increase

According to the market research firm BW166, which is Wines Vines Analytics’ newest partner in producing the Wine Industry Metrics, U.S. consumer spending on wine increased 2% to $2.53 billion in January and increased 2% to $37.8 billion for the past 12 months. Import wine sales increased by 4.1% to $16.64 million during the past 12 months. 

January off-premise wine sales increased by 10%, which is the highest growth during a four-week period in the past 23 months. The market-research firm IRI also reported that the 12-month total of off-premise wine sales reached $8.54 billion, which is 7% more than last year. Case volume of domestic wine in January rose by 7% from January 2015. Sparkling wine volume grew by 14% and accounted for 8% of domestic cases sold.

Direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipments enjoyed a robust 15% increase, but that was from a small base as January is typically one of the slowest months for DtC sales. Total shipment value reached $86 million by value and volume of 224,062 9-liter case equivalents, according to data by Wines Vines Analytics and ShipCompliant.