Constellation Brands

Corporate brand

Constellation Brands is a United States-based producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits, best known for its American rights to major Grupo Modelo beer brands.

Last updated October 31, 2026

AI crawler reads

No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.

Overview

Constellation Brands is an American alcoholic-beverage company headquartered in Rochester, New York. Its business spans beer, wine, and spirits, with the company combining the ownership, production, marketing, importing, and distribution of a portfolio of branded beverages. It is especially prominent in the United States beer market, where it owns the American commercial rights to Corona, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, and Pacífico. These brands are produced at Constellation-operated breweries in Mexico for sale in the United States, while Grupo Modelo serves markets outside the United States. The company began in 1945 in New York's Finger Lakes region as Canandaigua Industries. Founded by Marvin Sands, the business initially sold bulk wine to eastern U.S. bottlers. It later expanded through brand ownership, winery acquisitions, international wine operations, spirits purchases, and the development of a broad distribution and marketing platform. The company incorporated as Canandaigua Wine Company in 1972, became publicly traded in 1973, and adopted the name Constellation Brands in 2000 to reflect its increasingly diverse portfolio. During the 2000s, Constellation pursued an acquisition-led growth strategy. It bought or added interests in wine businesses including Ravenswood, BRL Hardy, Nobilo, Robert Mondavi Corporation, Vincor International, and the wine assets of Fortune Brands. It also entered spirits through Svedka Vodka and later expanded into craft and premium spirits. In parallel, the company reassessed its wine portfolio, selling lower-priced or noncore assets and emphasizing premium brands such as Robert Mondavi, Kim Crawford, Ruffino, and The Prisoner Wine Company. In 2021, it sold a large group of lower-priced wine labels to E. & J. Gallo Winery. The most consequential transformation came in 2013, when Constellation acquired Grupo Modelo's U.S. beer business as part of the antitrust settlement associated with Anheuser-Busch InBev's acquisition of Grupo Modelo. The transaction gave Constellation control of Crown Imports, full U.S. commercial responsibility for the brands, a perpetual exclusive U.S. license for key Modelo products, and a Mexican brewery. This converted Constellation from primarily a wine company into a major beer producer and importer. Beer now forms the central commercial pillar of the business, while wine and spirits remain important portfolio segments. Constellation has also experimented with adjacent categories. In 2017 it purchased a minority interest in Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth, followed by a much larger investment in 2018. The move made Constellation one of the first major alcoholic-beverage companies to take a substantial position in cannabis and reflected interest in cannabis beverages and other consumer products. The company subsequently reduced its cannabis exposure and, from 2023 onward, signaled a more cautious stance toward cannabis-infused beverages. Its spirits portfolio includes Casa Noble Tequila, High West Whiskey, Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, and Copper & Kings American Brandy. Constellation also made several craft-beverage investments, including Ballast Point Brewing, Funky Buddha Brewery, Black Button Distilling, and Montanya Distillers, although some of these holdings were later sold or returned to their founders. The company operates roughly 40 facilities and has approximately 9,000 employees according to the cited reference material. In June 2024 it moved its headquarters to a new campus in downtown Rochester on the site of the historic Aqueduct Building. Constellation's present positioning combines large-scale beer operations with a curated portfolio of premium wine and spirits brands.

History

Constellation Brands traces its origins to 1945, when Marvin Sands established Canandaigua Industries in New York's Finger Lakes region. The original business sold bulk wine to bottlers in the eastern United States. It incorporated as Canandaigua Wine Company in 1972 and became a public company the following year. In 1987 it acquired the Manischewitz winery in Canandaigua and continued licensing the Manischewitz name from R.A.B. Foods. The company expanded rapidly through acquisitions and international wine operations. It acquired Ravenswood Winery in 2001, added Australia's BRL Hardy and New Zealand's Nobilo in 2003, purchased Robert Mondavi Corporation in 2004, and acquired Canadian wine producer Vincor International in 2006. Its spirits interests expanded in 2007 with the purchase of Spirits Marque One, owner of Svedka Vodka. In 2008, Constellation acquired the wine operations of Fortune Brands, including brands such as Clos du Bois. These transactions made it one of the world's largest wine companies, but the portfolio later proved too broad and exposed to lower-growth value segments. In 2000, Canandaigua changed its name to Constellation Brands to communicate the breadth of its brand portfolio. Marvin Sands died in 1999. His son Richard Sands became president in 1993 and chief executive in 1996, and Rob Sands later became president and CEO in 2007. Under this leadership, Constellation began emphasizing premiumization while selling selected low-cost wine and spirits assets. Almaden Vineyards, Inglenook Winery, and the Paul Masson winery in Madera were sold in 2008, and the company's value spirits portfolio was sold to Sazerac in 2009. Its interest in Accolade Wines was progressively reduced, and the remaining business was sold to The Carlyle Group in 2018. In 2019, Constellation announced the sale of additional wine brands, including Clos du Bois and Mark West, to E. & J. Gallo; a broader group of lower-priced labels was subsequently transferred to Gallo in 2021. Constellation's central strategic turning point came in 2013. Anheuser-Busch InBev was required to divest Grupo Modelo's U.S. business as a condition of obtaining antitrust approval for its acquisition of Grupo Modelo. Constellation acquired Crown Imports, a brewery in Mexico, and exclusive perpetual U.S. rights to import, market, sell, and develop Corona and other Modelo brands. The transaction gave Constellation independent control of U.S. commercialization and transformed the company into a major beer producer and importer. In 2014, it completed an arrangement involving Owens-Illinois and acquired an adjacent glass-production facility in Nava, Mexico. The company continued to diversify within beverages. It announced the purchase of Ballast Point Brewing in 2015, High West Distillery in 2016, and Funky Buddha Brewery in 2017. It also invested in smaller craft spirits producers, including Black Button Distilling and Montanya Distillers, and acquired a majority interest in Nelson's Green Brier Distillery. Ballast Point was sold to Kings & Convicts Brewery in 2019, while Funky Buddha was sold back to its founders in 2023. Constellation acquired Empathy Wines in 2020 and Copper & Kings American Brandy in the same year. A separate strategic experiment began in cannabis. In 2017, Constellation bought a minority stake in Canopy Growth, becoming one of the first major alcoholic-beverage companies to invest directly in a cannabis producer. In 2018 it announced a further multibillion-dollar investment that was expected to raise its ownership interest substantially. The relationship was associated with plans for cannabis beverages and other consumer products, but the expected cannabis market developed more slowly and with greater regulatory complexity than anticipated. From 2023, Constellation reduced its exposure and indicated that it might ultimately withdraw. Constellation has also faced regulatory and legal controversies. In 1991, the FTC challenged Cisco wine's marketing presentation because it could be confused with lower-alcohol wine coolers. In 2010, a French court convicted wine traders and producers, including Constellation, in a fake-pinot-noir case involving wine sold to U.S. buyers; Constellation later settled a related class action. The company's proposed Mexicali brewery became embroiled in a water-rights dispute in 2018, and Anheuser-Busch InBev sued in 2021 over two new Modelo products and their barrel-aging descriptions. As of the cited reference material, Constellation operates approximately 40 facilities and employs about 9,000 people. Its major production footprint includes breweries in Nava, Coahuila, and Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, producing beer for the U.S. market. A planned brewery in Mexicali was not completed after environmental and water concerns; the company instead pursued a brewery project in Veracruz. In June 2024, Constellation relocated its headquarters to a 170,000-square-foot campus in downtown Rochester. Its contemporary identity rests on a large U.S. beer business anchored by Modelo and Corona, complemented by premium wine, spirits, and selective emerging-category investments.

2024
Headquarters moves to downtown Rochester
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Constellation relocates to a new downtown Rochester campus on the historic Aqueduct Building site.
2023
Funky Buddha returned to its founders
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Constellation sells Funky Buddha Brewery back to its founders.
2020
Empathy Wines and Copper & Kings added
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Constellation expands its wine and spirits holdings through Empathy Wines and Copper & Kings.
2019
Bill Newlands becomes CEO
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Bill Newlands succeeds Rob Sands as chief executive.
2018
Canopy Growth investment expands
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
The company announces a major additional investment in Canopy Growth.
2017
Entry into cannabis investment
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Constellation agrees to acquire a minority stake in Canopy Growth.
2015
Ballast Point acquisition announced
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Constellation announces its purchase of San Diego craft brewer Ballast Point.
2013
Grupo Modelo U.S. business acquisition
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Constellation acquires the U.S. Modelo beer business and associated production and commercial rights.
2004
Robert Mondavi Corporation acquisition
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Constellation acquires Robert Mondavi Corporation, strengthening its premium wine portfolio.
2000
Corporate name changes to Constellation Brands
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
The company adopts a name intended to represent its expanding collection of beverage brands.
1987
Manischewitz winery acquisition
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
The company acquires the Manischewitz winery and continues licensing the brand name.
1973
The company goes public
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Canandaigua Wine Company becomes a publicly traded company.
1972
Canandaigua Wine Company is incorporated
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
The company formalizes its corporate structure under the Canandaigua Wine Company name.
1945
Canandaigua Industries is founded
[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Marvin Sands establishes the Finger Lakes wine business that becomes the foundation of Constellation Brands.

Products and positioning

A large branded-beverage company focused on high-growth beer franchises in the United States, supported by premium wine and spirits portfolios and selective investments in emerging beverage categories.

Beer
Corona
Corona is one of Constellation's principal imported beer franchises in the United States. The company holds exclusive U.S. rights to market and sell the Grupo Modelo brand and produces beer for that market at its Mexican breweries.
Beer
Modelo
The Modelo portfolio, including Modelo Especial and Negra Modelo, is the core of Constellation's U.S. beer business. The brands entered Constellation's portfolio through the 2013 acquisition of Grupo Modelo's U.S. operations.
Beer
Pacífico
Pacífico is an imported Mexican beer brand marketed by Constellation in the United States under its exclusive commercial rights arrangement with Grupo Modelo.
Wine
Robert Mondavi
Robert Mondavi is a major premium wine brand acquired through Constellation's 2004 purchase of Robert Mondavi Corporation. It represents the company's emphasis on recognizable, higher-value wine labels.
Wine
Kim Crawford
Kim Crawford is a New Zealand wine brand within Constellation's international and premium wine portfolio, helping give the company exposure to globally recognized New World wines.
Wine
Ruffino
Ruffino is an Italian wine brand in Constellation's portfolio. It broadens the company's geographic range beyond North American and New World wine labels.
Wine
The Prisoner Wine Company
The Prisoner Wine Company is a premium wine business associated with Constellation's higher-end portfolio strategy and focus on distinctive brand identities.
Tequila
Casa Noble
Casa Noble is Constellation's premium tequila brand and one of the company's notable spirits offerings.
Whiskey
High West
High West is a Utah whiskey brand acquired by Constellation in 2016. It extended the company's spirits presence into premium American whiskey.
Whiskey
Nelson's Green Brier
Nelson's Green Brier includes Tennessee whiskey and Belle Meade Bourbon labels associated with the revival of a historic Nashville distillery and brand tradition.

Controversies

2021
Modelo barrel-aging lawsuit
Anheuser-Busch InBev sued Constellation over two Modelo-branded beers, alleging that descriptions involving tequila and bourbon barrels violated the parties' brand-rights arrangements.
Source
2021
Grupo Modelo sues Constellation over Corona Hard Seltzer
AB InBev's Mexican arm, Grupo Modelo, sued Constellation Brands in a U.S. district court, alleging that applying the Corona name to a hard seltzer breached a licensing arrangement limited to beer. Constellation said it had complied with the agreement and would defend its rights.
Source
2018
Mexicali water-rights dispute
A proposed Constellation brewery in Mexicali, Mexico, became controversial because of concerns over the project's use of Colorado River water and competing municipal and agricultural needs.
Source
2010
Fake pinot noir litigation
A French court convicted wine traders and producers, including Constellation, in a case involving allegedly counterfeit pinot noir sold to U.S. buyers. Constellation later settled a related class action concerning the matter.
Source
1991
Cisco wine marketing dispute
The Federal Trade Commission alleged that Cisco wine packaging and marketing could be confused with wine coolers even though Cisco had substantially higher alcohol content. Constellation agreed to modify the relevant presentation.
Source

2023
Reduce cannabis exposureStrategy
Background
The cannabis beverage market developed more slowly and with more regulatory complexity than the earlier investment thesis assumed.
Action taken
Constellation reduced its stake in Canopy Growth and signaled that it could eventually exit the investment.
Aftermath
Cannabis became a less central part of Constellation's strategic profile than it had been after the 2017 and 2018 investments.
Source
2021
Continue premiumization through wine divestituresStrategy
Background
Constellation was concentrating its wine business on premium brands and reducing exposure to lower-priced labels.
Action taken
It transferred a broad group of value-oriented wine brands to E. & J. Gallo Winery.
Aftermath
The transaction further narrowed the wine portfolio around premium and luxury offerings.
Source
2018
Increase the Canopy Growth investmentM&A
Background
The company anticipated that Canadian recreational cannabis legalization could create opportunities in beverages and adjacent consumer products.
Action taken
Constellation announced a major additional investment intended to increase its ownership position in Canopy Growth.
Aftermath
The strategy later became more cautious, with reduced exposure and a retreat from the cannabis-infused drinks opportunity beginning in the 2020s.
Source
2017
Invest in Canopy GrowthM&A
Background
Constellation sought exposure to medical and recreational cannabis and to the possible development of cannabis-infused beverages.
Action taken
It acquired a minority interest in Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth.
Aftermath
The investment established a high-profile connection between a major alcohol company and the cannabis sector, although Constellation later reduced its exposure.
Source
2013
Acquire Grupo Modelo's U.S. beer businessM&A
Background
Anheuser-Busch InBev was required to divest Grupo Modelo's U.S. operations as part of an antitrust settlement.
Action taken
Constellation acquired Crown Imports, a Mexican brewery, and exclusive perpetual U.S. rights for Corona and other Modelo brands.
Aftermath
The deal transformed Constellation into a leading U.S. beer supplier and gave it independent control of the brands' U.S. production, marketing, and distribution.
Source
2000
Adopt the Constellation Brands nameStrategy
Background
The company had expanded beyond its original bulk-wine operations into a broad collection of alcoholic-beverage brands.
Action taken
It changed its corporate name from Canandaigua Wine Company to Constellation Brands.
Aftermath
The new identity supported the positioning of the business as a multi-category brand portfolio rather than a single wine producer.
Source

Recent events

2024
Constellation relocates headquarters to downtown Rochester[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Other
Constellation moved its headquarters to a new campus occupying the site of Rochester's historic Aqueduct Building.
2023
Constellation signals a retreat from cannabis beverages[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
Other
The company reduced its Canopy Growth exposure and adopted a more cautious approach to cannabis-infused drinks after earlier strategic commitments.
2021
Constellation sells a large group of lower-priced wine brands to E. & J. Gallo[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The sale continued Constellation's shift toward a more premium wine portfolio and transferred numerous value-oriented labels to Gallo.
2018
Constellation expands its Canopy Growth investment[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The company announced a substantially larger investment intended to increase its ownership interest and support Canopy's international development and cannabis product ambitions.
2017
Constellation takes a minority stake in Canopy Growth[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Constellation agreed to invest in Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth, creating a strategic relationship between a major alcoholic-beverage producer and a cannabis business.
2013
Constellation acquires Grupo Modelo's United States beer business[1]Constellation Brandsen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The transaction gave Constellation control of the U.S. commercial operations and exclusive U.S. rights for Corona and other Modelo brands as part of an antitrust remedy.

Sources8 sources

Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/constellation-brands · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled