Constellation Brands reports 33 percent jump in net income

Constellation Brands Inc. reported $318 million in net income for the first quarter on Thursday, a 33-percent increase from a year ago driven in part by its hot-selling Meiomi brand.

The Victor, N.Y.-based company noted in a release that net sales in its wine and spirits devision increased by 8 percent in large part to Meiomi Wines of St. Helena, which it bought from Napa vintner Joe Wagner last year for $315 million. Meiomi posted dollar growth of more than 90 percent during the quarter through major retail outlets.

Earlier this year, Constellation bought The Prisoner Wine Company’s portfolio of brands for $285 million.

The company, which has seen tremendous growth from its Mexican beer imports, owns Clos du Bois winery in Geyserville, Simi Winery in Healdsburg and the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa.