(WFP) - “Over the last decade, we have made tremendous progress in developing a loyal and enthusiastic base of Chinese consumers, who enjoy California wines and appreciate their quality.”

Even before the U.S. wine industry was rocked by uncertainties brought by Chinese tariffs, it was already trying to correct a modest slide in exports.

U.S. exports in 2017 — 97 percent of which were from California – reached $1.53 billion in winery revenues and 380 million liters (or 42.2 million cases), according to a report by the San Francisco-based Wine Institue.