The Trump family's mainstream business is hitting a new turning point this year.
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, is proving the brand value of his winery, 'the president's wine,' and is expanding its presence in the global market. His second son, Eric Trump, is expanding the business to include not only wine but also cider and vodka. The number of enthusiasts seeking Trump wine has significantly increased, not only in the U.S. but also in South Korea.
According to the wine industry on the 27th, the wine from Trump Winery, exclusively imported by Kumyang International, saw a 95% surge in sales in the second half of last year compared to the first half.
In particular, in November, when Trump was elected president, the monthly sales hit a record high.
A representative from Kumyang International noted, "Sales were about 200% higher compared to the average," and added, "There is a high demand for the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay sets newly planned since Trump's inauguration."
Currently, there are four types of Trump wine entering South Korea: 'Trump Winery Blanc de Blanc,' 'Trump Winery Chardonnay,' 'Trump Winery Meritage,' and 'Trump Winery Cabernet Sauvignon.'
The history of American wine begins with Thomas Jefferson. In 1773, Jefferson, the third President of the United States and a key figure in drafting the Declaration of Independence, ambitiously ventured into winemaking at his estate, Monticello, in Virginia.
At that time, beer and whiskey dominated due to British influence. He brought in grape varieties for winemaking from the Bordeaux region of France, the home of wine. It was an attempt to implant European wine culture into Virginia. Jefferson aspired to make the United States a cultural nation comparable to Europe.
The endeavor ended in failure. The phylloxera epidemic that infected grapevines and the harsh climate of North America troubled the European grape varieties. The dreams Jefferson harbored faded away in Virginia. American wine blossomed in California's Napa Valley, on the opposite side of Virginia.
More than 250 years later, in 2011, a new turning point emerged. At the time, Donald Trump, a leading real estate mogul, took an interest in a struggling winery in Virginia. Coincidentally, this winery was located just a few miles from Monticello, where Jefferson had once stayed. Trump acquired the Clore Winery in Albemarle County for a mere $6.2 million from his long-time friend Patricia Kluge.
It was a moment marking the opening of a new chapter in American wine history. After the acquisition, Trump entrusted the management of the winery to his son Eric. The winery's vineyard, which was 1,300 acres at the time of the acquisition, has evolved into the largest vineyard-equipped winery in Virginia.
Jefferson's dream of producing high-quality European-style wine from Virginia is now a reality. The winery's signature sparkling wine, Blanc de Blanc, received a score of 90 from the wine industry publication Wine Spectator. At the 2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition, the 2014 sparkling reserve scored 97 points, surpassing renowned sparkling wines, including French champagne.
Building on this success, the Trump family is pushing ahead with the expansion of their mainstream business. The Trump cidery, which opened in June last year, showcased apple cider made from Virginia apples.
In 2025, with the second Trump administration taking office, Eric Trump, the representative of Trump Winery, stated that he is considering entering the vodka market. Vodka is the most consumed alcoholic beverage among young consumers in the U.S. Unlike his father, who distanced himself from alcohol, Eric expressed his ambition to grow the alcoholic beverage business into a global premium brand.
David Lami, founder of Lami Wine Cellars, recently said in an interview with Wine Spectator, "The success achieved by Trump Winery is a case that proves the potential of Virginia wines," and added, "It will become a new landmark in the American wine industry."