The Savvy Shopper‘s Guide to Buying Wine at 7-Eleven

For many, a trip to 7-Eleven is all about grabbing a quick coffee, Slurpee, or snack on the go. But this convenience store giant is also a major force in wine retail, stocking a diverse selection of vino across its 9,500+ U.S. locations. As a long-time retail analyst and admittedly picky wine shopper, I took a deep dive into 7-Eleven‘s wine aisles to see how its offerings stack up. Consider this your expert field guide to the wonderful world of convenience store wine buying!

The 7-Eleven Wine Shopping Experience

Browsing for wine at 7-Eleven is a decidedly different experience than at your local liquor store or supermarket. While you won‘t find a temperature-controlled cellar or in-store sommelier, 7-Eleven makes up for it with unbeatable convenience. Most 7-Eleven stores are open 24/7 and offer ample parking, so you can dash in for a bottle (or two) anytime.

The typical 7-Eleven stocks wine in a dedicated section near the beverage coolers or checkout area. Bottles are often merchandised by type (red, white, blush, sparkling) and clearly price-marked for easy shopping. Busier stores tend to have larger 20-30 foot wine sets, while lower volume locations may only carry a handful of top-selling SKUs.

It‘s worth noting that 7-Eleven‘s ability to sell wine varies by state and local jurisdiction. In some regions, stores are prohibited from selling alcohol entirely. But as a general rule, if a 7-Eleven sells beer or liquor, it likely sells wine as well. A store locator tool on 7-Eleven.com can confirm if your neighborhood location has a wine selection.

When buying wine (or any alcohol) at 7-Eleven, be prepared to show a valid government ID. The chain is vigilant about carding all customers before each transaction. Some stores also restrict wine sales to certain hours of the day to comply with local liquor laws. But all this is to ensure a safe and legal shopping experience.

Uncorking 7-Eleven‘s Wine Selection

So what exactly will you find in 7-Eleven‘s wine department? The focus is squarely on popular national brands across all major categories and price points. You won‘t see any rare vintages or cult labels here – 7-Eleven aims to stock crowd-pleasing wines with mass appeal.

Some of the most widely carried brands at 7-Eleven include:

Reds:

• Barefoot Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir
• Yellow Tail Shiraz, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Apothic Red Winemaker‘s Blend
• Bota Box Cabernet Sauvignon, Nighthawk Black Red Wine Blend

Whites:

• Barefoot Cellars Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Moscato
• Yellow Tail Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
• Bota Box Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio
• Cavit Pinot Grigio

Blush/Rosé:

• Barefoot Cellars White Zinfandel, Pink Moscato
• Yellow Tail Pink Rosé
• Sutter Home White Zinfandel
• Dark Horse Rosé

Sparkling:

• André Brut, Extra Dry, Moscato, Rosé
• Cook‘s Brut, Extra Dry
• Korbel Brut, Extra Dry
• Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée, Moscato Spumante

Prices for national brand wines at 7-Eleven typically range from $6 to $15 per 750ml bottle, with most falling under $10. For those looking for an even cheaper buzz, 7-Eleven also stocks its own private label wines from California-based The Wine Group under the Yosemite Road ($3-5) and Roamer ($6-8) brands. These entry-level offerings are comparable to Trader Joe‘s "Two Buck Chuck" and are popular with the budget set.

Selection can also vary by store format. Urban locations near city centers tend to have larger, higher-end wine assortments aimed at a walk-in clientele. Suburban stores generally stick to the basics, with more emphasis on value pricing and larger pack sizes.

Across the total U.S. chain, domestic wines dominate the mix, with an estimated 75% share. Imported wines (mostly from Italy, Argentina, Chile and Australia) make up the balance, and perform best in coastal and border states.

A strong point in 7-Eleven‘s favor is its expanded offering of single-serve and portable wine options. According to Nielsen, sales of canned wine jumped 79% in the U.S. last year, with younger legal-drinking-age consumers driving the trend. 7-Eleven has fully embraced the movement with "Roamer On-the-Go" aluminum wine bottles and cans from Barefoot, Sutter Home, and other recognizable brands. These alternative formats now account for roughly 15% of the chain‘s total wine sales.

7-Eleven also deserves credit for its seasonal and promotional wine merchandising. Stores run themed promotions tied to holidays and events like the Super Bowl and Academy Awards. A recent "Wine Wednesday" BOGO deal on the 7Rewards app drove a 25% sales lift, showing how the chain can use its loyalty program to boost the wine business.

7-Eleven‘s Wine Sales and Industry Impact

According to 7-Eleven‘s latest financial reports, wine is one of the chain‘s fastest growing categories, with sales up 5.2% in 2020. Wine now accounts for nearly 10% of 7-Eleven‘s total alcohol sales in the U.S., an all-time high. Even amid a challenging economy, 7-Eleven is finding success making wine a bigger part of its value proposition.

"Wine is an important piece of 7-Eleven‘s ongoing evolution from a convenience store to a beverage and dining destination," said Jack Stout, 7-Eleven‘s senior vice president of merchandising and demand chain. "Our goal is to offer a curated selection of great-tasting wines at competitive prices to complement our food and snack offerings."

Industry-wide, 7-Eleven ranks as a top 10 wine retailer, with 1.6% dollar share of the total U.S. off-premise market (see table). In some states like Florida and Colorado, 7-Eleven over-indexes significantly, approaching a 5% share. All this volume gives 7-Eleven serious clout with suppliers.

Source: Nielsen AOD TTL US xAOC + Liq Plus Conv YTD ending 3/20/21

The average 7-Eleven store sells approximately 15 cases of wine per week, or roughly 780 cases per year. With over 9,500 locations, that equates to over 7 million cases of wine moving through 7-Eleven‘s system annually. For wine brands, gaining a presence in 7-Eleven‘s cold box is a major win to drive trial and reach a massive consumer audience.

Wine is also a strategic category for 7-Eleven because it drives loyalty with higher-income shoppers. According to internal 7-Eleven data, the average wine buyer spends 3.5X more per visit than a non-wine buyer and shops the store twice as frequently. Wine buyers also skew younger than the chain‘s typical shopper, with 25% falling in the millennial 21-34 age bracket. Clearly wine is helping 7-Eleven broaden its appeal beyond the traditional "Slurpee and a hot dog" crowd.

Tips for Buying Wine at 7-Eleven

As a professional retail critic, here are my top tips for getting the most bang for your buck when buying wine at 7-Eleven:

1. Look beyond the bottom shelf. It‘s tempting to make a beeline for the cheapest bottles, but 7-Eleven‘s best wine values are often a couple shelves up. Once you get above the $8-10 range, quality improves dramatically.

2. Think outside the bottle. For casual sipping, 7-Eleven‘s canned and Tetra Pak wines offer good quality and unbeatable portability. Most are also resealable so you don‘t have to commit to the whole serving.

3. Let the season be your guide. 7-Eleven‘s wine selection changes with the calendar, so shop accordingly. Rosé and bubbly options expand in summer, while fuller bodied reds come out for fall and holiday entertaining.

4. Get rewarded. 7Rewards, 7-Eleven‘s loyalty app, frequently features digital coupons for $1-2 off wine. You can even rack up points for freebies down the road. Always check your app before checkout.

5. Become a mixologist. 7-Eleven has all the ingredients to whip up a great Sangria or Spritzer on the fly. Pair your vino of choice with fresh fruit, juice or soda from the cold case and let the games begin!

6. Don‘t forget the pairings. One of the best parts of 7-Eleven is all the tasty snacks that go great with wine. Pick up some chips, cheese, nuts, or chocolate to complement your wine selection. Or grab a fresh sandwich or taquito from the hot foods case for a ready-made picnic.

At the end of the day, 7-Eleven will never replace your local wine shop for artisanal, hand-crafted offerings. But for a quick bottle or a well-priced crowd pleaser, it‘s a convenient option that over-delivers on value. The fact that you can pick up a bottle of cab or chardonnay while filling up your gas tank is a bonus!

So the next time you‘re at 7-Eleven, go ahead and venture beyond the Slurpee machine and explore the wine aisle. With the knowledge gained here, you‘re well equipped to make a smart buy. And who knows – you just may discover a new house wine in the process. Cheers!