Widmer Press Release
NEWS RELEASE
Constellation Brands and Rochester Institute of Technology Collaborate with Hazlitt’s 1852 Vineyards & Winery, OCOED and OCIDA to
Maintain Widmer Winery as a Functioning Production Facility
~Naples, N.Y. community unites as Hazlitt’s 1852 Vineyards signs agreement to buy historic Widmer Winery~
Constellation is selling the Widmer Winery following its decision to spend approximately $7.2 million to expand its Canandaigua, N.Y. facility where it will produce the brands currently produced at Widmer. The purchase of the Widmer facility by Hazlitt, which is subject to customary due diligence and closing conditions, is expected to close in June, and Hazlitt’s is expected to assume management of the facility by the end of the year.
“The Widmer Winery has had a longstanding presence in the Finger Lakes region. As consumer demand for our brands continues to grow, utilizing the Widmer facility will allow us to further the national and international expansion of our most popular wines, particularly Red Cat,” said Doug Hazlitt. “We are excited about this opportunity and envision creating jobs and a sense of community at this historic winery in Naples,” added Leigh Hazlitt Triner.
Doug Hazlitt and Leigh Hazlitt Triner are co-owners of Hazlitt’s 1852 Vineyards.
In September 2009, Constellation announced the plan to close the Widmer Winery in Naples in 2011 and to donate the property to RIT. Constellation then began working with the university and OCOED and OCIDA to find an appropriate use for the property. During the course of these efforts, an opportunity presented itself to keep Widmer as a functioning winery. As a result, Constellation and RIT jointly decided to enter into the deal with Hazlitt’s.
RIT intends to work directly with Hazlitt’s to create appropriate educational programming for the university’s technology programs, sustainability efforts, and its School of Hospitality and Service Management. Constellation intends to make a significant donation to RIT to further the university’s commitment to the community, education, and the New York wine industry.
“This opportunity is a true public-private partnership, and we are very pleased to have participated in this unique collaboration,” said Dr. Bill Destler, president, RIT.
“Together, the organizations involved have created a unique opportunity that will preserve a historic landmark in the upstate New York area as a functioning winery,” said Rob Sands, president and chief executive officer, Constellation Brands. “We appreciate all the efforts by people from the many organizations involved that have gone into making this agreement a reality.”
"This is a win-win situation all around. One of New York’s most historic wineries will serve as a production facility for one of New York's fastest growing wine brands, as well as for education and sustainability. This is great news," said Jim Trezise, president of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation.
OCOED and OCIDA are partnering with Hazlitt’s to obtain the necessary financial assistance. This will enhance Hazlitt’s ability to obtain traditional financing while allowing Ontario County to contribute to the economic vitality of the area. “The collaboration by all involved represents what can be accomplished for the benefit of local communities,” said Naples Town Supervisor Frank Duserick. “On behalf of the town and village, we are pleased with Constellation’s loyalty to the area and to RIT, Hazlitt’s, and Ontario County for working together to accomplish the best possible outcome for the Widmer facility.”
About Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands is the world’s leading wine company that achieves success through an unmatched knowledge of wine consumers paired with storied brands that suit varied lives and tastes. With a broad portfolio of widely admired premium products across the wine, beer and spirits categories, Constellation’s brand portfolio includes Robert Mondavi, Hardys, Clos du Bois, Blackstone, Arbor Mist, Estancia, Ravenswood, Jackson-Triggs, Kim Crawford, Corona Extra, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky and SVEDKA Vodka.
Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B; ASX: CBR) is an S&P 500 Index and Fortune 1000® company with more than 100 total brands in our portfolio, sales in about 150 countries and operations in approximately 45 facilities. The company believes that industry leadership involves a commitment to our brands, to the trade, to the land, to investors and to different people around the world who turn to our products when celebrating big moments or enjoying quiet ones. We express this commitment through our vision: to elevate life with every glass raised. To learn more about Constellation Brands and its product portfolio visit the company's web site at www.cbrands.com.
About RIT
Rochester Institute of Technology is internationally recognized for academic leadership in computing, engineering, imaging technology, and fine and applied arts, in addition to unparalleled support services for students with hearing loss. Nearly 16,800 full- and part-time students are enrolled in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs at RIT, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.
For two decades, U.S. News & World Report has ranked RIT among the nation’s leading comprehensive universities. RIT is featured in The Princeton Review’s 2010 edition of The Best 371 Colleges and in Barron’s Best Buys in Education. The Chronicle of Higher Education recognizes RIT as a “Great College to Work For.”
About Hazlitt’s 1852 Vineyards
The Hazlitt family has been growing superb grapes on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, N.Y. for over 150 years. Established in 1984, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards continues the family tradition of award-winning viticulture and wine production. Its internationally-renowned wines include Riesling, Homestead Reserve Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabin Fever, White Stag, Schooner Red, Spyder Bite and Bramble Berry. Most notably, Hazlitt is infamous for its Red Cat and White Cat – two of the most popular and best-selling New York State wines available. For more information, please visit: www.Hazlitt1852.com or www.redcatwine.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “intend,” and “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. As to Constellation, RIT and/or Hazlitt, these statements may relate to business strategy, future operations, prospects, plans, and objectives of management, as well as information concerning expected actions of third parties. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that any transaction among Constellation, Rochester Institute of Technology, Hazlitt’s 1852 Vineyards, the Ontario County Office of Economic Development, and the Ontario County Industrial Development Agency will occur or will occur on the timetable contemplated hereby.
Rachael Anderson
Public Relations Assistant
Dixon Schwabl
Advertising | Marketing | Public Relations