Yellow Tail sales in the United States dropped almost 17 percent in the 2025 financial year.
The owner, Casella Family Brands based in Yenda, NSW, posted its first net loss in 13 years – $5.5 million.
Revenue rose to $546.24 million from $536.58 million.
The company made a profit of $18.6 million in 2024 and $26.5 million in 2023.
The global wine industry is facing numerous challenges including falling alcohol consumption and a cost of living crisis.
The Australian reports, “Casella Wines is sitting on borrowings of $190 million, total liabilities of just under $400 million and a net asset position of $625.3 million.
“It has cash of $62.35 million, according to its 2025 accounts.”
For the first time, Australian domestic sales ($220.73 million) surpassed US sales ($172.94 million).
Yellow Tail – one of the great Australian wine export stories in history – was released in 2000 and became an instant hit.
“Our first year in the USA was a whirlwind,” John Casella said.
“Our goal was 25,000 cases, but we sold over one million.”
At its peak in America Yellow Tail featured in Super Bowl advertisements on TV.
Australia wine exports declined by eight percent to $2.34 billion in 2025.
Exports to the USA were down 12 percent to $287 million.
Casella Family Brands has broadened its spread of drinks over the years to include RTDs, beer, cider, vodka and whisky.
The company owns Peter Lehmann, Morris of Rutherglen, Ampersand Projects (RTDs), Brand’s Laira Coonawarra, Baileys of Glenrowan, Yenda Brewing and Pressman’s Apple Cider.
With a fortune of $1.56 billion, John Casella and his brother Giuseppe Casella were named number 117 in Australia’s Richest 250 list in The Australian in 2026.
Filippo and Maria Casella migrated from Sicily to Australia and founded the Casella winery in 1969.
Related content