Constellation Brands Closes SVEDKA Vodka Acquisition

20/03/07 Constellation Brands, Inc. a leading international supplier and marketer of beverage alcohol, announced it has closed the acquisition of the SVEDKA Vodka brand and related business.

"We welcome SVEDKA to the Constellation Brands family and look forward to the continued stellar growth of this unique premium imported vodka brand," said Richard Sands, Constellation Brands chairman and chief executive officer. "SVEDKA will play a key role in expanding our premium spirits business by providing us with a terrific and rapidly growing vodka brand in the largest U.S. spirits category. Through continued marketing investment in SVEDKA, we look to maximize the brand's long-term growth potential and value."

SVEDKA, an 80 proof premium vodka produced in Sweden, was launched in 1998 and it is now the fastest growing major imported premium vodka in the United States. Approximately 1.1 million cases of SVEDKA were sold during calendar 2006, predominantly in the U.S., a 60 percent increase over 2005 sales volume.

Creator Guillaume Cuvelier will lead SVEDKA's New York-based brand management team and maintain the independent spirit that has successfully differentiated SVEDKA from the competition. The brand marketing and sales team will retain their autonomy with the SVEDKA_Grl campaign continuing to promote the brand.
 
SVEDKA is the fifth largest imported vodka with eight percent market share in the imported vodka category according to Information Resources,Inc. (IRI) data. SVEDKA is 40 percent alcohol by volume (80 proof) and is also available in four, 70 proof (35 percent alcohol by volume) flavor variations: Citron, Clementine, Raspberry and Vanilla.