Wines of South Africa (WOSA) USA, a not-for-profit industry organization, has been actively promoting exports of all South African wine in the U.S. After a great year of increased exports in 2015, WOSA is planning to continue this growth through their current U.S. program that includes the participation in the USA Trade Tasting in New York City.

Packaged South African wine exports to the U.S. increased by almost 7 percent in 2015. South African rosé and sparkling wines led the way with exports increasing by 48 percent and 27 percent, respectively. According to Nielsen data, the South African category has seen strong growth in Northern California, Illinois and Texas (by at least 35 percent), as well as on the East Coast.

With great momentum from 2015, WOSA will participate in the first USA Trade Tasting event, a tasting exhibition supplemented with masterclasses, brand break-out sessions, and expert industry analyses.  This event, held on March 21st and 22nd in Manhattan’s Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W 18th St), is organized by Beverage Trade Network for importers, distributors, and retailers in the beverage industry. Wines of South Africa will take over most of the second floor, with 24 producers looking for U.S. importers. Additionally, Wines of South Africa will also have its own masterclass in the afternoon of March 21 led by Wines of South Africa Marketing Manager Jim Clarke, a wine expert and former sommelier. 

“We are excited to continue the momentum from last year into 2016 and to ultimately keep increasing the presence of South African wine in the U. S.,” Clarke says. “We believe that the USA Trade Tasting will provide South African producers a great networking opportunity to help us secure these goals.”