Each year, the retail giant sells almost $4 billion in alcohol, with wine making up almost half of that number. Annette Alvarez-Peters, Costco’s beverage alcohol manager, told Market Watch magazine that the chain made $1.69 billion in wine sales in 2016, making it the largest wine retailer in the country.
In about a dozen states — including California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut — alcohol sales can’t be exclusive to a club or membership. So if that applies to your local Costco and you aren’t a member, just tell the employee at the door you’re buying liquor; by law, they have to let you in.
In fact, there are lots of rumors that Kirkland and Grey Goose are made at the same plant. According to Munchies, that isn’t entirely true — though the two vodkas are made with water sourced from Gensac Springs in Cognac, France. Even more surprising, Munchies explains that Kirkland vodka scored six points higher than Grey Goose in a handful of reputable blind tasting competitions.
