Skeptics continue to discredit the viability and quality of wine in a can. Yet, canned wine brands are thriving and their makers are quick to point out that the category continues to be the fastest-growing format for wine sales in the United States. “When I reflect back on when we launched (in 2020), the progress has been immense; and I feel like the entire industry is [also] seeing it,” said Sarah Hoffman, co-founder of Maker.
The numbers don’t lie. During a time when wine sales are in decline, marketing firm Grand View Research reported that the global canned wine market was valued at $112.9 million in 2024 and has a projected compound annual growth rate of 11 percent over the next five years.
We recently tasted a sizable batch of canned wines in our Napa offices, and below you’ll find prices and tasting notes (no scores, as we tasted non-blind) for a selection that we believe is a solid list of recommended cans from producers large and small.
When chatting with vintners, common threads emerged that unify their efforts. The first is the elusive next generation of wine drinkers. They reported that their brands are succeeding where traditional wineries are not. “We’re reaching audiences that we’re being told aren’t purchasing wine,” said Hoffman. Wine drinkers between ages 21 and 34 make up roughly 15 percent of bottled wine buyers, according to Nielsen. Yet half of Maker’s online buyers fit that demographic. “The whole industry is talking about younger people, and [canned wines are] a big piece of it.”
Zeke Blattler, co-founder and CEO for Los Cuernos, which launched in 2023, agrees, but isn’t as focused on a specific age. “What we’ve seen is it’s about making quality wine available to more people,” he said, highlighting not only people whose primary alcoholic beverage is wine, but also beverage enthusiasts—those that enjoy good coffee, tea, spirits—as well as foodies. “We’re trying to think about those three consumers and how we fit wine into their lives,” he said.
For Blattler, it’s not about just making wine available where people typically buy wine, but also targeting locations where quality wine options didn’t previously exist, such as taquerias, pizzerias and other fast casual or counter service.
Hoffman at Maker takes a similar approach. “We don’t try to compete with by-the-glass offerings, like a white tablecloth restaurant,” she said.
Since canned wines first hit the scene, vintners have found success by focusing on activities and places where cans’ convenience, portability and recyclability are a plus, from sports venues to outdoor activities such as picnics and camping. Los Cuernos is the official wine of a Major League Soccer team, San Jose’s Earthquakes.
But canned wines are expanding. Maker, Just Enough and Archer Roose are served on planes during in-flight service. Maker and Just Enough recently inked a deal with United Airlines to serve their wines as part of United’s domestic economy cabin service. Archer Roose is served on Jet Blue flights and has partnered with other companies, such as Regal Cinemas, making select wines available at more than 100 movie theaters nationwide.
Of course, the question that often arises is whether to drink straight from the can or pour it into a glass. In a past interview, Hoffman said that if portability is essential to enjoying it, then drinking from the can is perfect; but if you’re at home or at a restaurant, why not have it in a glass and complete the experience?
Blattler and his co-founder Cory Assink gave Los Cuernos a simple motto—great wine, no rules. “Make it simple for people,” Assink said. “If somebody ordered a beer, what would you do? You would probably say, ‘Would you like a glass with it?’ Do the same thing with wine.”
Blattler and Assink said that they debated whether to get people to drink from the can or pour it into a glass early on. “If you just hand someone a can and they drink it, they think it’s going to be bad because they’ve previously been burned,” explained Blattler. “But it also kind of makes them drink it, and we realized that one of the big keys to winning adoption is teaching the retailer to trust the can.”
When it comes to quality, Hilary Cocalis of SipWell concurs and says it’s simple. “We’re trying to bridge traditional winemaking with a modern format,” she said. “The perception [of canned wine] is that people expect it to be cheaper. We rely a lot on sampling and sharing our story to change minds when there is a hurdle.”
Cocalis has tapped into a particular portion of the canned wine category: sparkling wine. In 2024, the sparkling segment accounted for the largest revenue share, 60.3 percent. SipWell’s Go Getter, a frizzante chilled red style, stood out in our tasting as a fun quaff that would make a versatile food pairing. Like Blattler and Asink, Cocalis leans toward the idea of no rules. “Go Getter is a reimagined, fun wine that breaks the rules, blending Barbera, Pinot Grigio, and Muscat,” she said. “But it surprises a lot of people.”
Indeed, canned wine makers have a collective ethos of anything goes, so long as the consumer is happy. Hoffman thinks the next step is getting people to see beyond the utility of the can. “Instead of pitching cans, now we need to pitch what’s inside,” she explained.
Recommended Canned Wines
ARCHER ROOSE
Pinot Noir Victoria, Australia NV
An elegant, sleek, and light-bodied style, with floral and herb notes to the cranberry and strawberry core, finishing with a streak of minerality and hits of green tea. Sold as a four-pack of 250ml cans for $20.
ARCHER ROOSE
Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley, Chile NV
Not the typical ultra-refreshing style of Sauvignon Blanc, yet this is still plenty fresh, with grassy tones and salted lime and pineapple flavors on a smooth-textured frame. Sold as a four-pack of 250ml cans for $20.
DJUCE
Vino Rosso Italy 2021
A charming Italian red, with dusty, savory notes up front, joining a plum and dried berry core that offers nice density, with a slight tug of tannins on the finish. Montepulciano. Sold as a 24-pack of 250ml cans for $189.
JUST ENOUGH
Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast 2022
Medium-bodied and varietally correct, this has a subtle graphite layer to the berry and fig core, with cedary and cinnamon tones filling out the finish. Sold as a six-pack of 250ml cans for $51.
LOS CUERNOS
Red Blend California NV
A rich and ripe style offering fig and berry liqueur notes, and a sink-your-teeth-in texture, with rustic and ripe tannins. Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Petit Verdot. Sold as a four-pack of 250ml cans for $30.
MAKER
Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2023
A robust and dark-profiled Pinot, with lots of baking spice and black tea notes to the brambly fruited center. Sold as a six-pack of 250ml cans for $72.
MAKER
Red Blend Paso Robles 2023
A youthful, juicy blend shows bright notes of rose petal, olallieberry, and black cherry, with fresh assam tea notes as a backdrop and just enough density and tannin to hold your interest. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Barbera and Zinfandel. Sold as a six-pack of 250ml cans for $60.
NOMADICA
White California NV
Offers flinty notes to the green apple and melon core, with a hint of acidity balanced by subtle, rich almond and vanilla tones. Chardonnay and French Colombard. Sold as a four-pack of 250ml cans for $24.
NOMADICA
Rosé California NV
Smoother in texture than refreshing, this a Negroni-hued rosé, offers subtle rose petal and herb notes and wild strawberry, melon, and kiwi flavors. Grenache and Merlot. Sold as a four-pack of 250ml cans for $24.
SIPWELL WINE CO.
Go Getter Paso Robles NV
A fun to drink, slightly fizzy wine that offers a citrus blossom and fresh herb notes up front, with cranberry and strawberry crème notes, and a twist of orange peel on the finish. Barbera, Pinot Grigio, Muscat Canelli. Sold as a six-pack of 250ml cans for $45.
WAVES
White California 2022
Chamomile tea and ginger notes combine with honey crisp apple and pomelo flavors. There’s a slight, appealing effervescence, which also imparts acidity and minerality midpalate, finishing with a subtle note of almond. Sold as a six-pack of 250ml cans for $59.
WAVES
Rosé California 2022
Slightly fizzy and a touch rustic in style, with savory herb and fresh ginger notes up front, joining melon and orange peel flavors. Sold as a six-pack of 250ml cans for $59.
