Constellation Brands buys Utah distiller

The New York-based company pays $160 million for the High End Distillery as it reports a 17-percent sales increase for the second quarter.|
BILL SWINDELL
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Constellation Brands Inc. announced Wednesday that it has purchased the Utah-based High West Distillery for $160 million, adding to a high-end whiskey brand to its portfolio of wine and beer businesses.

The Victor, N.Y. company made the announcement as it reported its second quarter results, which showed that its net sales increased 17 percent in the quarter to $2 billion.

Constellation, which owns local wineries Clos du Bois, Ravenswood, Simi and Robert Mondavi, has been on spending spree in the last year buying Napa wine brands Meiomi and The Prisoner Wine Co. as well as Ballast Point Brewing Co. in San Diego, all of which CEO Rob Sands attributed to such strong sales growth.

The company has ridden growth in recent years as a result of its Mexican beer import business into the United States. Its beer operating income increased 27 percent during the quarter.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.
Send a letter to the editor