Constellation Brands, Inc.
American producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits, with exclusive U.S. rights to Corona and Modelo beer brands.
Company Type
public
Founded
1945
Headquarters
Victor, New York, USA
Stock
NYSE: STZ
Revenue
approximately $9.8 billion (FY2025)
Employees
Approximately 9,500
Primary Market
United States
About Constellation Brands, Inc.
Is Constellation Brands publicly traded?
Yes, Constellation Brands trades on the NYSE under ticker STZ. The Sands family maintains significant influence through super-voting Class B shares.
Does Constellation Brands own Corona?
Constellation Brands holds the exclusive U.S. import, marketing, and distribution rights for Corona and Modelo beer brands, acquired in 2013 for approximately $5.3 billion. Outside the U.S., these brands are owned by AB InBev.
What is the best-selling beer in the United States?
Modelo Especial, distributed in the U.S. by Constellation Brands, became the best-selling beer brand in the United States in 2023, surpassing Bud Light.
Who founded Constellation Brands?
Constellation Brands was founded in 1945 by Marvin Sands as the Canandaigua Wine Company in Canandaigua, New York. The Sands family continues to maintain significant influence over the company.
What is Constellation Brands' annual revenue?
Constellation Brands generates approximately $9.8 billion in annual revenue, with the beer segment (Corona, Modelo, Pacifico) accounting for the majority of revenue and operating income.
History of Constellation Brands, Inc.
Constellation Brands was founded in 1945 by Marvin Sands as the Canandaigua Wine Company in Canandaigua, New York. The company initially produced and sold wine, gradually expanding its portfolio through acquisitions of wine brands and wineries across the United States.
The company grew significantly through the 1990s and 2000s, acquiring major wine brands including Robert Mondavi (2004), Kim Crawford, and Meiomi. Constellation also expanded into spirits, acquiring brands including Svedka vodka (later sold), Casa Noble tequila, and High West whiskey.
The transformative moment in Constellation's history came in 2013 when Anheuser-Busch InBev was required by U.S. antitrust regulators to divest the U.S. operations of Corona and Modelo as a condition of its acquisition of Grupo Modelo. Constellation Brands acquired these U.S. rights for approximately $5.3 billion, gaining exclusive control of some of the fastest-growing beer brands in the American market.
The Corona and Modelo acquisition proved enormously successful. Modelo Especial became the best-selling beer brand in the United States by 2023, surpassing Bud Light. Corona Extra, Corona Premier, and Pacifico also grew significantly, making Constellation's beer segment the dominant driver of the company's revenue and profitability.
In fiscal year 2025, the company updated its outlook, projecting beer net sales growth of 6% to 8% while acknowledging wine and spirits net sales declines of 4% to 6%. The company has been evaluating strategic options for its wine and spirits portfolio to focus more heavily on its high-margin beer business.
Constellation Brands, Inc. Sustainability & Ethics
Constellation Brands has implemented sustainability initiatives focused on environmental responsibility, sustainable packaging, and ethical business practices across its alcoholic beverage operations. The company has committed to reducing its environmental footprint while maintaining its position as a leader in the premium alcoholic beverage market.
The company has invested in sustainable packaging initiatives, including lightweight glass bottles and recycled content programs for its beer brands. Constellation Brands has implemented water conservation measures across its brewery operations and vineyards, recognizing water as a critical resource in beverage production.
In its vineyard operations, Constellation Brands promotes sustainable agriculture practices and has obtained various certifications for environmental stewardship. The company addresses ethical considerations through supplier responsibility programs, fair labor practices, and community engagement initiatives.
Constellation Brands maintains compliance with all applicable alcohol beverage regulations and industry standards across its operations. The company's sustainability reporting includes progress metrics on environmental initiatives and waste reduction programs across its manufacturing and distribution facilities.
Awards & Recognition
Constellation Brands has received recognition for its brand portfolio excellence, business performance, and industry leadership:
- Fortune Most Admired Companies: Multiple years of inclusion recognizing corporate reputation and leadership
- Forbes Global 2000: Consistent ranking among the world's largest companies by market capitalization
- Beverage Industry Awards: Recognition for beer brand growth and marketing excellence
- Wine Spectator Awards: Multiple awards for premium wine quality and winemaking excellence
- Marketing Excellence Awards: Recognition for advertising effectiveness and brand building campaigns
- Supply Chain Recognition: Awards for operational excellence and distribution network management
- Sustainability Reporting: Recognition for environmental initiatives and sustainability disclosure practices
These awards reflect Constellation Brands' position as a leader in the alcoholic beverage industry and the strength of its Corona and Modelo beer portfolio in the U.S. market.
Brands Owned by Constellation Brands, Inc.
Constellation Brands, Inc. owns 2 brands in our database.
Corona
Owned by Constellation Brands, Inc.
Mexican beer brand known for its light lager served with a lime, one of the best-selling imported beers worldwide.
Modelo
Owned by Constellation Brands, Inc.
Mexican beer brand including Modelo Especial, America's best-selling beer since 2023.
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Stock Information
Constellation Brands, Inc. Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Exclusive U.S. rights to Corona and Modelo, two of the fastest-growing beer brands
- +Modelo Especial is the best-selling beer brand in the United States
- +Beer segment delivers strong revenue growth and high operating margins
- +Premium wine portfolio includes iconic brands like Robert Mondavi and Kim Crawford
- +Sands family influence provides long-term strategic continuity
Considerations
- -Declining alcohol consumption among younger demographics threatens long-term growth
- -Wine and spirits segment experiencing declining sales and margin pressure
- -Heavy capital investment in Mexican brewery expansion creates financial commitments
- -Dual-class share structure limits influence of public shareholders
- -Dependence on Mexican beer imports exposes the company to trade policy and tariff risks
- -Wine and spirits segment experiencing declining sales and margin pressure
- -Heavy capital investment in Mexican brewery expansion creates financial commitments
- -Dual-class share structure limits influence of public shareholders
- -Dependence on Mexican beer imports exposes the company to trade policy and tariff risks
Frequently Asked Questions About Constellation Brands, Inc.
Is Constellation Brands publicly traded?
Yes, Constellation Brands trades on the NYSE under ticker STZ. The Sands family maintains significant influence through super-voting Class B shares.
Does Constellation Brands own Corona?
Constellation Brands holds the exclusive U.S. import, marketing, and distribution rights for Corona and Modelo beer brands, acquired in 2013 for approximately $5.3 billion. Outside the U.S., these brands are owned by AB InBev.
What is the best-selling beer in the United States?
Modelo Especial, distributed in the U.S. by Constellation Brands, became the best-selling beer brand in the United States in 2023, surpassing Bud Light.
Who founded Constellation Brands?
Constellation Brands was founded in 1945 by Marvin Sands as the Canandaigua Wine Company in Canandaigua, New York. The Sands family continues to maintain significant influence over the company.
What is Constellation Brands' annual revenue?
Constellation Brands generates approximately $9.8 billion in annual revenue, with the beer segment (Corona, Modelo, Pacifico) accounting for the majority of revenue and operating income.
Sources & Further Reading
- Constellation Brands Investor Relations
- SEC EDGAR Filings: Constellation Brands Inc. (10-K)
- Constellation Brands Annual Report — Modelo Brewing Company — https://www.modelobrewingcompany.com/\n- Anheuser-Busch InBev — https://www.ab-inbev.com/\n- Robert Mondavi Winery — https://www.robertmondavi.com/\n- Forbes Global 2000 — https://www.forbes.com/global2000/\n- Wine Spectator — https://www.winespectator.com/\n- Beverage Industry Association — https://www.beverageinfo.net/\n- U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau — https://www.ttb.gov/\n- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs — https://www.michigan.gov/lara/
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