(Wines&Vines) - Direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipments continue to rise on the back of steady growth in overall U.S. wine sales, with Napa Valley continuing to be a dominant player in the channel. 

U.S. wine sales rose 3% in May 2017, market research-firm bw166 reported, topping $3.1 billion for the month and approaching $40 billion for the 12 months ended May 2017. Total wine sales, including packaged imports and all other wines, also increased 3% to more than $60 billion in the 12 months ended May 2017.