Canandaigua to Become 2nd-Largest U.S. Wine Vendor Via Acquisition of Vintners International

Canandaigua Wine Co., the nation’s third-largest wine company, said Thursday it has agreed to acquire Vintners International in what would be one of the largest winery deals in U.S. history.

The purchase price was not announced, but industry consultants said it was believed to be about $200 million, making it about the same size as Heublein Inc.’s acquisition of The Christian Bros. in Napa Valley. The deal would make New York-based Canandaigua the nation’s second-largest wine concern.

Vintners International, based in Gonzales, Calif., is the country’s fifth largest wine producer and owns the Paul Masson and Taylor California Cellars wine brands.

Canandaigua sells wine on the east coast under the Richards Wild Irish Rose, J. Roget, Widmer, Marcus James and Manischewitz brands. Its California brands are Cook’s, Chase Limogere and Dunnewood.

Marvin Sands, Canandiagua’s chairman, said the Vintners acquisition “rounds out Canandiagua’s portfolio, enabling it to compete with leading brands in all segments of the wine business.”

Sands said it will “significantly increase Canandiagua’s presence in the fast-growing varietal table wine business” or wines whose labels carry the name of the grape, such as Chardonnay.