U.S.-based wineries promote a strong economy and play a crucial role in selling wines across the globe. In 2023, U.S. wine exports had a total value of $1.23 billion. In fact, the millions of liters of wine and winegrapes that are exported every year support the creation of jobs, but these wins don’t come without exporting challenges.
Miller Family Wine Company is no stranger to this. The small, family-owned business has been farming since the 1870s and developed a California vineyard in 1973 producing high-quality wines in the Central Coast region.
The company recognized the demand for their wines in other parts of the world and began to export, quickly realizing that they needed protections in place with buyers. That’s where EXIM came in and provided Miller Family Wine Company with Export Credit Insurance allowing for credit terms instead of advance payment.
“As farmers in the Central Coast of California, we have found there is a strong demand for wine from our region from around the world. As our export channels have grown, the orders have become bigger, and the importer wanted to have terms as opposed to being 100% pre-paid,” said Nicholas Miller, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Miller Family Wine Company. “EXIM stepped in as the perfect partner for us to bridge our customers' desire for terms and our comfort level with shipping our wines to a foreign country in which we are unfamiliar with the process and laws of receivables.”
Miller Family Wine Company now exports to 15 different countries including Canada, Norway, and South Korea making it a leader in the wine industry. Not only does the company create premium products, but it collaborates with others in its community and supports local wineries to further boost the wine industry.
It is because of this that Miller Family Wine Company is being honored with the 2025 California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Grower of the Year Award. The company’s contributions, commitment to growth and development of high-quality products continue to elevate the wine industry.
The award will be presented during the 2025 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on January 29-30! EXIM will be at booth #A2908 and we look forward to learning about your business and sharing resources on how we can support you as a wine exporter.
Can’t make it? No problem! Visit our wine hub for free, export-related resources, tools and programs or schedule a free consultation with a trade finance specialist today.
