The name Duck Commander usually calls to mind duck calls, camouflage gear, and the bearded Robertson family from the hit TV show Duck Dynasty. But for a time, the brand expanded far beyond hunting products. One of the more surprising ventures was Duck Commander Wine, a line created to bring the Robertson lifestyle to the dinner table. It blended rustic southern charm with casual, everyday drinking wines. The idea was bold—but is Duck Commander Wine still in business today?
Let’s take a closer look at its history, what happened, and whether fans can still find a bottle.
A Background on Duck Commander
Founded in 1972 by Phil Robertson, Duck Commander began as a small company making duck calls for hunters. Over the years, it grew into a leading outdoor brand and later became a cultural phenomenon thanks to Duck Dynasty, which aired on A&E from 2012 to 2017.
The Robertson family used their newfound fame to branch out into food, apparel, books, and other merchandise. With a massive fan base behind them, it seemed natural to extend the brand into the wine industry—a surprising but potentially lucrative market.
The Launch of Duck Commander Wine
In 2013, Duck Commander teamed up with Trinchero Family Estates, a well-known Napa Valley winery, to launch a modest collection of easy-drinking wines. The lineup featured:
- Triple Threat Red Blend
- Wood Duck Chardonnay
- Miss Priss Pink Moscato
These wines were designed to be affordable, fun, and appealing to fans of the show—people who might not otherwise buy wine but were curious because of the Robertson connection. The branding drew strongly from the Duck Dynasty persona—rustic, approachable, and family-oriented.
At first, the strategy worked. Fans snapped up bottles, and the wines received national media coverage. For a moment, it seemed like the Robertsons might have a long-term foothold in the industry.
Is Duck Commander Wine Still in Business?
The short answer is no. Duck Commander Wine is no longer being produced, and it has disappeared from store shelves and online retailers. Its run lasted only a few years before quietly ending, leaving collectors and fans wondering what happened.
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Why Did It Fail?
Several factors explain why Duck Commander Wine faded out:
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The challenges of the wine industry
Unlike duck calls or t-shirts, producing and marketing wine is a complex, competitive endeavor. Established wineries have decades of experience, distribution networks, and loyal customer bases. Duck Commander was entering as an outsider, relying more on celebrity appeal than deep wine knowledge.
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Brand mismatch
For many consumers, the Robertson family’s hunting and southern lifestyle didn’t naturally connect with wine culture. While some fans enjoyed the novelty, others may have found the branding confusing or unconvincing.
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Trademark battles
To make matters trickier, Duck Commander Wine faced legal pushback from Duckhorn Winery, a Napa Valley producer with a similar name. Though a settlement allowed sales to continue, the dispute highlighted how tough it can be to carve out space in a crowded market.
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What Replaced It?
Although Duck Commander Wine is gone, other approachable, storytelling-driven brands have flourished. For instance:
- 19 Crimes became hugely popular by pairing wine with historical storytelling and interactive labels.
- Barefoot Wine continues to dominate the market with budget-friendly bottles tailored to everyday occasions.
These brands succeed where Duck Commander struggled: they focus solely on wine, build consistent reputations, and connect with consumers beyond celebrity hype.
What About Loyal Fans?
For collectors and devoted Duck Dynasty fans, Duck Commander Wine carries a strong sense of nostalgia.Occasionally, unopened bottles appear on online marketplaces like eBay, though they are rare and often overpriced. For most casual wine drinkers, though, the label remains little more than a quirky footnote in wine history.
Will It Ever Come Back?
At present, there are no signs of a comeback. The Robertson family remains active with hunting products, speaking engagements, and other business ventures, but wine doesn’t seem to be on their radar. Relaunching would require significant investment, better distribution, and a fresh marketing strategy—difficult hurdles given how long the brand has been absent.
Conclusion
So, is Duck Commander Wine still in business? No. What began as an ambitious extension of the Robertson family empire ended after only a short run. The wines had novelty appeal but couldn’t withstand the pressures of a competitive industry or the fading spotlight of Duck Dynasty.
Still, the experiment showed just how far the Duck Commander brand could stretch at its height. While you won’t find new bottles in stores today, Duck Commander Wine remains a curious reminder of the era when reality TV fame poured over into nearly every product imaginable.
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