5 U.S. Wineries Making Brilliant Vermouth

Forbes

25-06-2025

getty
Vermouth is omnipresent these days.
Between the contradictory trends of low-ABV beverages and the ever-favored martini, the popularity of vermouth—a botanical-infused, fortified wine—is surging. Not to mention, vermouth, as a category, is also being propelled by the United States' embrace of European aperitivo culture.
'Premium-plus light aperitifs have been making headway in a number of the top 20 markets,' shared Emily Neill, IWSR chief operating officer research and operations, in a statement, adding that the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of light aperitifs, including vermouth, witnessed an increase of 18 percent between 2018 and 2023 and is predicted to accelerate to over 19 percent CAGR between 2023-2028.
'With a typical ABV of between 15 and 22 percent, they [aperitifs] can be served over ice with a slice of orange or lemon, but owe much of their success to their versatility — consumed in a spritz with soda water or in a number of cocktails, including the white negroni and the vesper,' emphasized Neill.
The IWSR data focuses on the growth of premium European aperitif brands in the U.S.—popular labels include Carpano, Martini & Rossi, Cocchi and Dolin—but this consistent interest also explains why a handful of stateside wineries have invested in crafting their own vermouth.
From Virginia to California, discover five U.S. wineries that are producing some compelling expressions of vermouth.
getty
Most oenophiles know this Sonoma-based winery for their site-specific Pinot Noir, but Scribe also produces a limited release of vermouth. In fact, the winery just released their latest Summer Vermouth, made with their estate Chardonnay. The base wine is fortified and infused with orange peel, wild fennel and lemon verbena for a delicate sip that can be simply savored over ice with an orange twist. Matthiasson Wines
Twelve years ago, this Napa-based winery leapt ahead of the aperitif surge, when they released their first expression of sweet vermouth crafted with their own farm-grown botanicals. Now on their eighth edition, Matthiasson's farmhouse vermouth continues to use a base wine blend of Flora (a natural cross between Semillon and Gewürztraminer), Viognier and Muscat of Alexandria, that's infused with homegrown ingredients including blood oranges, sour cherries, coriander seed, cardoons and foraged wormwood for a perfect balance of dried fruit notes, savory herbs and warm spice. Mastrogiannis Distillery & Winery
This Greek-American distillery and winery, based out of North Bend, Washington, crafts a rosé vermouth from a Syrah-base that's fortified with their housemade Baton brandy. Mastrogiannis uses a cold-soak technique over a five month period to allow for the gentle maceration of botanicals like mission and golden figs, wormwood, cocoa nibs, cinnamon and wild cherry bark. The vermouth is sweetened with Washington wildflower honey but it's still light and refreshing. Trinchero Family Estates
The modern generation of the Trinchero family pays homage to the estates' founder, Mario Trinchero, who immigrated to New York City from Piedmont, Italy—vermouth's native—with their Trincheri Vermouth. Launched in 2019, the dry and sweet ( rosso ) vermouths are based on the Trinchero family's original recipes that trace back to the 1890s. Both expressions are produced with fruit from the family-owned vineyards in St. Helena; the dry vermouth is built on a base of French Colombard grapes and the rosso from Barbera and Chardonnay. Flying Fox Vineyard
In 2017, this Afton, Virginia-based winery debuted their first vermouth as a way to expand their portfolio from eight premium wines. They've since released an entire range of vermouth with a fall, spring, summer and winter expression. Each style features notes of their respective season's flavors — fresh ginger and orange peel for fall; strawberry and rhubarb for spring; peaches and grapefruit for summer; pomegranate and cardamom for winter — fortified with neutral grape brandy.