Constellation’s Wine Premiumization Strategy Is Starting To Pay Off

Originally published in Forbes. Constellation’s sell-off of its lower-priced wine brands to E&J Gallo seems to be paying off in terms of promoting their “premiumization” strategy in the wine arena. In an April 2021 earnings call with investors, President and CEO Bill Newlands reported, "Our retained wine and spirits portfolio, excluding divested brands, delivered net sales growth of 5% for the year, driven by double digit volume growth for Meiomi, Kim Crawford and the Prisoner Brand Family." Bottles of Constellation Brands Inc. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc © 2018 BLOOMBERG FINANCE LP Newlands also admitted that these three “wine power brands” [...]