Constellation Brands, Inc. | Brands, Portfolio & Company Information

About Constellation Brands, Inc.

Constellation Brands operates primarily through two business segments: Beer, and Wine and Spirits. The Beer segment, which includes Corona, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Pacifico, and other Mexican beer brands, generates the vast majority of the company's revenue and operating income. The Wine and Spirits segment includes premium wine brands and a smaller spirits portfolio.

The company's beer operations include a major brewery in Nava, Coahuila, Mexico, near the U.S. border, which produces Corona and Modelo for the U.S. market. Constellation has invested billions of dollars in expanding brewery capacity in Mexico to meet growing U.S. demand. The company also operates a brewery in Obregon, Sonora, Mexico.

Constellation Brands employs approximately 10,000 people across its operations in the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company's wine operations include vineyards and wineries in California, Washington, Oregon, New Zealand, and Italy.

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.

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.

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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

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 $10 billion in annual revenue, with the beer segment (Corona, Modelo, Pacifico) accounting for the majority of revenue and operating income.

About Constellation Brands, Inc.

History of Constellation Brands, Inc.