Whatever it takes to make great wines
Vincor International Inc. was North America's 4th largest producer and marketer of wines and related products by volume with leading brands in all segments of the market. Vincor has wineries in California, Washington State, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. Its family of estate wineries are supported by an international distribution network and dedicated sales and marketing forces. Vincor's premium wine products are complemented by a variety of popular priced wines, wine kits and refreshment products. Vincor was taken over by Constellation Brands. Read about Vincor's History
Perhaps the story of Vincor should begin with two men Co-founders Donald Triggs and co-founder Allan Jackson. Two men with a deep passion for wines and the ability to make IT HAPPEN.
Allan Jackson was a scientist by training well educated in the field with a PhD. His career in the wine industry began with Labatt Brewery to initiate a wine research program in association with the National Research Council to improve the quality of Canadian table wines. Soon he was responsible for research and quality control for the company's Canadian and American wine divisions. During the 1980s, Allan managed production at Ridout Wines, Labatt's Canadian wine company, and worked both in the Niagara region and the Okanagan Valley.
By growing up on a farm in Manitoba Don gained a passion for the land which in turn began a passion for wines. Don began his career at Colgate-Palmolive in product management and quickly rose through the ranks. Subsequently, he was responsible for managing John Labatt's wine businesses in Canada and the U.S. In the 1980s, he ran the North American and then global horticultural business of Fisons PLC. However, his most important career move came in 1989, when he joined forces with his friend, Allan Jackson, to negotiate the management buyout of Labatt's Canadian wine interests.
The Growth
The first major move made by the new Cartier winery under Triggs-Jackson was a merger with the very successful Inniskillin Winery .In July 1973 Inniskillin Wines incorporated and its founders Karl J. Kaiser and, Donald J.P. Ziraldo, were granted the first winery licence in Ontario, Canada, since 1929. Its Icewines are world renowned The greatest of international accolade for Canadian Icewine was bestowed on Inniskillin 1989 Icewine at Vinexpo, Bordeaux, in June 1991. This wine, judged by an international panel, was accorded the fair's highest award, Le Grand Prix d'Honneur. The next year Cartier wines merged with Inniskillin . This was followed in 1993 when Cartier and Inniskillin merge with T.G. Bright to form Vincor International.
I really had a twinge in my bones for the wine business
Donald TriggsVincor to Constellation Brands
Vincor International Inc. is the world's eighth largest wine company by revenue. Vincor has wineries in British Columbia , Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, California, Washington State, Western Australia and New Zealand, and is one of the largest wine importers, marketers and distributors in the United Kingdom. Vincor markets wines produced from grapes grown in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario, the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, the Dunnigan Hills of California, the Columbia Valley of Washington State, Western Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and vineyards around the world. Vincor's premium brands include Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs, R.H. Phillips, Toasted Head, Hogue, Goundrey, Amberley, Sumac Ridge, Hawthorne Mountain, Kim Crawford, Kumala, Ancient Coast and Sawmill Creek, which compliment its popular priced wines such as Entre-Lacs, L'Ambiance, Sola Nero and Notre Vin Maison.
Vincor trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “VN” and has approximately 33.6 million common shares outstanding.
Vincor International, Inc. engages in the production, marketing, and distribution of wines and related refreshment beverages, principally in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. It also imports and distributes wines in the United Kingdom. The company's wine brands include Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs, Sumac Ridge, Hawthorne Mountain, Sawmill Creek, Notre Vin Maison, Entre-Lacs, L'Ambiance, Caballero de Chile, Spumante Bambino, President Canadian Champagne, Okanagan Vineyards, and Vex, as well as the Canada Cooler brands of coolers, and the Growers brand of cider. It sells its products through its sales force and wholesale distributors. In addition, Vincor International, through its subsidiary, Wine & Beer Making Supplies, Ltd., produces and markets home winemaking kits in Canada. The company was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in Mississauga, Canada. As of June 5, 2006, Vincor International Inc. became a subsidiary of Constellation Brands Inc.
In 2011 numerous band names were discountinued by Vincor mostly under the London winery and Brights label
Brights Manor St David has been discountinued.
Ancient Coast Vidal has been discountinued
Brights Entre Lac 1500ml has been discountinued
Brights Special Moments has been discountinued
Full Press Cabernet Sauvignon 1500ml bottle discontinued
Full Press Chardonnay 1500ml bottle discontinued
London XXX has been discountinued
Brights President Pink Champagne - discontinued
Mississauga, Ontario, June 13, 2012 – Vincor Canada, the country's leading domestic wine producer, today announced that the company will now operate as “Constellation Brands.” The change is part of a global initiative by Constellation Brands, Vincor's parent company, to align its operating companies in the U.S., Canada and New Zealand under a common name to better reflect its strategy to move to a more unified organization.
“Under the Constellation Brands name, we will continue to work to further the reputation and sale of Canadian wines in all categories working in partnership with our growers and customers,” said Eric Morham, president Constellation Brands in Canada.
“This new, more consistent, company identity allows us to better communicate our collective passion and commitment to building brands that people love,” said Jay Wright, chief operating officer, Constellation Brands.
As part of the initiative, Constellation Brands also launched a refreshed logo to create a more modern look. The logo builds on the brand equity of Constellation's shooting star icon and color palette and now includes the full “Constellation Brands” name. The company identity is now more reflective of Constellation's position as the number one premium wine company in the world, focused on driving profitable organic growth.
About Constellation Brands in Canada
Constellation Brands (formerly Vincor Canada) is Canada's largest producer and marketer of wines. The company's land holdings in Canada's largest wine growing regions, the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, are dedicated essentially to the production of European Vitis Vinifera. The Constellation Brands portfolio includes many well known brands such as Inniskillin Wines, Jackson-Triggs Estate Wines, Naked Grape, Sawmill Creek, Robert Mondavi, Ruffino, Kim Crawford, Wallaroo Trail, Linden Bay, Open and President Sparkling. Learn more at www.cbrands.ca or www.cbrandsquebec.ca . The company is wholly-owned by Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ, STZ.B), the world's leader in premium wine with a broad portfolio of more than 100 wines, beers and spirits. Learn more www.cbrands.com
A recent Label is Linden Bay
"Open" Wine label launched July 2012Constellation Brands Canada was purchased by the Ontario Teachers Pension Fund in Nov 2016. The new name Arterra Wines Canada.
Related Links
London Winery
Vincor History