FAIRPORT, N.Y., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Constellation Brands, Inc. , today announced the appointment of John Grant, 47, as president of its Hardy Wine Company, located at its Reynella, Australia, headquarters near Adelaide, effective March 13, 2007. Grant, a 22-year veteran of the beverage industry, will report to Jon Moramarco, Constellation International chief executive officer. David Woods, who currently leads Hardy Wine Company, and recently announced his June 2007 retirement, will help Grant transition into Australia's top Constellation management position. Grant will oversee all production, sales and marketing of Hardy wines in Australia, as well as export activities, and importation to Australia of other brands in Constellation's portfolio.
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"We're extremely pleased to have John Grant join Constellation's wine organization in Australia because he brings a wealth of valuable international beverage experience to the position," stated Rob Sands, Constellation Brands president and chief operating officer. "John will become a member of an outstanding team of Hardy Wine Company professionals, and his leadership will be a terrific fit in an organization known for its wine production, marketing and sales excellence."
Returning to his native country, and where he commenced his beverage career at Foster's after graduating with a business degree in marketing from Monash University in Melbourne, Grant was most recently the executive vice president for strategy and business development at Jackson Wines Estates in California. Prior to that position, he served as executive vice president of marketing for one-and-a-half years, then as president for five years, at Kendall-Jackson, also in California.
In Australia, Grant previously worked for Southcorp, Lion Nathan Brewing, Tasmanian Brewing Company and Foster's. He was named "Australian Marketer of the Year" for revitalizing the Southcorp Wines portfolio in 1997.
Constellation Brands, Inc. is a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol brands with a broad portfolio across the wine, spirits and imported beer categories. Well-known brands in Constellation's portfolio include: Almaden, Arbor Mist, Vendange, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Hardys, Goundrey, Nobilo, Kim Crawford, Alice White, Ruffino, Kumala, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Rex Goliath, Toasted Head, Blackstone, Ravenswood, Estancia, Franciscan Oakville Estate, Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs, Simi, Robert Mondavi Winery, Stowells, Blackthorn, Black Velvet, Mr. Boston, Fleischmann's, Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy, Chi-Chi's, 99 Schnapps, Ridgemont Reserve 1792 and Effen Vodka. Constellation Brands, through Crown Imports LLC, imports and markets Corona Extra, Corona Light, Pacifico, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, St. Pauli Girl and Tsingtao beers. For additional information about Constellation Brands, as well as its product portfolio, visit the company's Web site at http://www.cbrands.com/.
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