Brown-Forman vs Constellation Brands: Founders, CEOs and History
Brown-Forman was founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown and is led by Lawson E. Whiting. Constellation Brands was founded in 1945 by Marvin Sands and is led by Nicholas I. Fink.
Company facts
Brown-Forman
- Founded
- 1870
- Headquarters
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Current CEO
- Lawson E. Whiting
- Employees
- 4,900
Constellation Brands
- Founded
- 1945
- Headquarters
- Rochester, New York
- Current CEO
- Nicholas I. Fink
- Employees
- 9,400
Founders
Brown-Forman
George Garvin Brown
Brown-Forman is one of the few American corporations that remains entirely dominated by the founding family over 150 years after its creation. The company was founded in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, a young pharmaceuticals salesman.
Constellation Brands
Marvin Sands
Constellation Brands possesses a unique founding story that traces back to a small, localized business selling bulk wine in upstate New York, founded by a young, ambitious entrepreneur.
CEOs and their tenures
Brown-Forman
- Owsley Brown II1993–2005
Chief Executive Officer
A great-grandson of the founder, Owsley Brown II ran Brown-Forman from 1993 to 2005 and stayed on as chairman until 2007. His tenure included the 1996 launch of Woodford Reserve and the international expansion of Jack Daniel's.
Source - Paul C. Varga2005–2018
President and Chief Executive Officer
Varga led Brown-Forman from 2005 through 2018. His era included the January 2007 purchase of Casa Herradura for $776 million, the 2011 launch of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, the 2016 purchase of The BenRiach Distillery Company and the 2016 sale of Southern C…
Source - Lawson E. Whiting2019–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Whiting joined Brown-Forman in 1997 and became CEO on January 1, 2019, succeeding Paul Varga.
Source - Leanne Cunningham2021–2026
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Cunningham spent more than 30 years at Brown-Forman, became CFO in July 2021 and retired on May 1, 2026.
Source - Marshall B. Farrer2025–present
Chairman of the Board
A fifth-generation Brown family shareholder and director since 2016, Farrer became chairman in July 2025, the 11th Brown family member to chair the board.
Source - Jim Peters2026–present
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Peters joined from Whirlpool Corporation, where he was Executive Vice President leading enterprise transformation, and became CFO on March 31, 2026, succeeding Leanne Cunningham.
Source
Constellation Brands
- Richard Sands1993–2007
President and CEO
Richard Sands led the company's acquisition-driven expansion, including Barton, Robert Mondavi, international wine deals, and the 2000 name change to Constellation Brands.
Source - Robert Sands2007–2019
Chief Executive Officer
Rob Sands led the transformative 2013 Grupo Modelo U.S. beer business acquisition, which reshaped Constellation from a wine-heavy company into a beer-led beverage alcohol business.
Source - William A. Newlands2019–2026
President and Chief Executive Officer
Newlands led Constellation through a period of beer-led growth, wine and spirits restructuring, SVEDKA divestiture, and the transition toward an even more concentrated Modelo and Corona-driven portfolio.
Source - Nicholas I. Fink2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Fink became President and Chief Executive Officer in April 2026 after serving as a Constellation director. His first leadership chapter begins with a beer-led company reporting $9.139 billion in FY2026 net sales and a much smaller wine and spirits portfolio.
Source
Timeline: Brown-Forman and Constellation Brands side by side
1870Brown-Forman
Company Founded
George Garvin Brown founded J.T.S. Brown and Bro. in Louisville, Kentucky, and introduced Old Forester as a bourbon sold only in sealed bottles to guarantee its quality.
1920Brown-Forman
Prohibition Survival
Brown-Forman obtained one of six federal permits to bottle medicinal whiskey, keeping Old Forester on sale through pharmacies during Prohibition.
1923Brown-Forman
Early Times Acquisition
Brown-Forman bought Early Times, its first brand acquisition. It kept the brand for nearly a century before selling it to Sazerac in 2020.
1933Brown-Forman
Industry Code of Conduct
Owsley Brown I worked with other distillers on a self-regulatory code of conduct for the spirits industry as Repeal approached.
1945Constellation Brands
Company founded as Canandaigua Industries
Marvin Sands establishes Canandaigua Industries in the Finger Lakes region of New York with eight employees, focusing on bulk wine production for East Coast bottlers. First-year sales total $150,000.
1954Constellation Brands
Launch of Richard's Wild Irish Rose
The company introduces Richard's Wild Irish Rose, a dessert wine that becomes its flagship brand and significantly expands market presence beyond bulk wine.
1956Brown-Forman
Jack Daniel's Acquisition
Brown-Forman bought the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, from the Motlow family, the deal that built the modern company.
1966Brown-Forman
Historic Hiring
Elmer Lucille Allen joined Brown-Forman as the company's first African-American chemist.
1972Constellation Brands
Incorporation as Canandaigua Wine Company
The company is incorporated as Canandaigua Wine Company, Inc., preparing for public market access.
1973Constellation Brands
Initial public offering
Canandaigua Wine Company completes its IPO, providing capital for the acquisition-driven growth strategy that would define the company for decades.
1987Constellation Brands
Manischewitz winery acquisition
The company purchases the Manischewitz winery in Canandaigua, New York, adding kosher wine capabilities and licensing the Manischewitz name.
1993Constellation Brands
Barton Incorporated acquisition
Constellation acquires Barton Incorporated for $123 million, entering distilled spirits and imported beer distribution, including Corona Extra distribution rights. The deal doubles the company's size.
1996Brown-Forman
Woodford Reserve Launch
Brown-Forman launched Woodford Reserve from the restored Labrot & Graham distillery in Versailles, Kentucky; it grew into the leading super-premium American whiskey.
1997Constellation Brands
Formation of Canandaigua Brands Inc.
Canandaigua Brands Inc. is formed as the parent company of Canandaigua Wine Company and Barton Incorporated, reflecting the diversified portfolio.
1999Brown-Forman
Sonoma-Cutrer Acquisition
The company bought Sonoma-Cutrer, a California wine brand it would sell to The Duckhorn Portfolio in 2024.
1999Constellation Brands
Franciscan Estates acquisition
The company acquires Napa Valley-based Franciscan Estates, one of the biggest California winery deals ever, establishing a powerful presence in premium and luxury wine markets.
2000Constellation Brands
Name change to Constellation Brands
Canandaigua Brands changes its name to Constellation Brands, signaling the company's breadth across wine, beer, and spirits categories.
2002Brown-Forman
Finlandia Investment
Brown-Forman began acquiring Finlandia vodka and later took full ownership; it sold the brand to Coca-Cola HBC for $220 million in 2023.
2004Constellation Brands
Robert Mondavi Corporation acquisition
Constellation acquires Robert Mondavi Corporation for approximately $1 billion, adding premium California wines and becoming the largest fine wine company in the United States.
2007Brown-Forman
Casa Herradura Acquisition
Brown-Forman completed its $776 million purchase of Casa Herradura, adding Herradura, el Jimador and New Mix.
2007Constellation Brands
Crown Imports joint venture and SVEDKA acquisition
Constellation and Grupo Modelo create the Crown Imports joint venture for U.S. beer imports, and the company acquires Spirits Marque One, bringing SVEDKA Vodka into the portfolio.
2013Constellation Brands
Grupo Modelo U.S. beer business acquisition
Constellation completes the $4.75 billion acquisition of Grupo Modelo's U.S. beer business from Anheuser-Busch InBev, gaining 100% ownership of Crown Imports, the Nava brewery, and exclusive perpetual U.S. rights to Corona and Modelo brands.
2015Constellation Brands
Ballast Point Brewing acquisition
Constellation acquires Ballast Point Brewing for $1 billion, entering the craft beer segment.
2016Brown-Forman
Scotch Purchase and Southern Comfort Sale
Brown-Forman sold Southern Comfort and Tuaca to Sazerac in March 2016 and completed the ~$371 million (£281 million) purchase of The BenRiach Distillery Company in June 2016.
2016Constellation Brands
Obregon brewery acquisition
Constellation acquires the Obregon brewery from Grupo Modelo for $600 million, achieving supply independence from the interim supply agreement.
2017Constellation Brands
Initial Canopy Growth investment
Constellation invests $191 million in Canopy Growth, the Canadian cannabis company, beginning what would become an approximately $4 billion commitment.
2018Brown-Forman
CEO Succession
Paul C. Varga, CEO since 2005, announced his retirement; Lawson E. Whiting, who joined in 1997, became CEO on January 1, 2019.
2018Constellation Brands
Major Canopy Growth investment
Constellation invests an additional $3.8 billion in Canopy Growth, increasing its stake to 38% and making it the largest shareholder.
2019Constellation Brands
Ballast Point divestiture and CEO transition
Constellation sells Ballast Point for a fraction of its $1 billion purchase price, and Bill Newlands succeeds Rob Sands as CEO in March 2019.
2020Brown-Forman
Early Times and Canadian Mist Sold
Brown-Forman completed the sale of Early Times, Canadian Mist and Collingwood, plus the Canadian Mist production assets, to Sazerac on July 31, 2020.
2021Constellation Brands
Low-cost wine brands divestiture
Constellation sells 30 low-cost wine brands to E. & J. Gallo for $810 million as part of its premiumization strategy.
2022Brown-Forman
Jack & Coke RTD and Gin Mare
Brown-Forman and The Coca-Cola Company announced a global Jack Daniel's & Coca-Cola ready-to-drink agreement in June, and Brown-Forman completed its purchase of Gin Mare in November.
2022Constellation Brands
Dual-class stock elimination
Stockholders vote to eliminate Class B Convertible Common Stock and shift to a single class with one share, one vote rights. The Sands family receives $1.5 billion (pre-tax) for their enhanced voting shares.
2023Brown-Forman
Diplomático Acquisition
Brown-Forman completed its purchase of the Diplomático rum brand from Destillers United Group on January 5, 2023, for about $725 million.
2024Brown-Forman
Finlandia and Sonoma-Cutrer Divestitures
The sales of Finlandia (completed November 2023) and Sonoma-Cutrer (completed April 2024) narrowed the portfolio to premium spirits.
2024Brown-Forman
U.S. Distributor Overhaul
Brown-Forman began its largest U.S. distributor overhaul in decades, switching partners in a number of open states.
2024Constellation Brands
Headquarters relocation to Downtown Rochester
Constellation relocates to a 170,000 square foot campus in Downtown Rochester, becoming the first Fortune 500 company to operate in the city in two decades.
2025Brown-Forman
Restructuring and Cooperage Closure
On January 14, 2025 Brown-Forman announced a 12% workforce reduction and the closure of its Louisville cooperage, completed by April 25, 2025.
2025Brown-Forman
Korbel Relationship Ends
Brown-Forman's decades-long sales, marketing and distribution relationship with Korbel Champagne Cellars ended on June 30, 2025.
2025Brown-Forman
New Board Chairman
Marshall B. Farrer, a fifth-generation descendant of the founder, became chairman of the board in July 2025.
2025Constellation Brands
SVEDKA divestiture and wine portfolio restructuring
Constellation completes the SVEDKA Vodka divestiture on January 6, 2025, and announces plans to divest remaining mainstream wine brands while retaining premium and luxury wines priced $15 and above.
2026Brown-Forman
Pernod Ricard Talks End
Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard confirmed merger discussions on March 26, 2026 and terminated them on April 28 after failing to reach mutually agreeable terms.
2026Brown-Forman
Fiscal 2026 Results
Brown-Forman reported fiscal 2026 net sales of $3.93 billion (-1%), operating income of $1.0 billion and free cash flow of $893 million.
2026Brown-Forman
CEO Retirement Announced
On July 13, 2026 Lawson Whiting announced he will retire as President and CEO once a successor is appointed.
2026Brown-Forman
Sazerac Proposal Rejected
On July 26, 2026 the board said Sazerac's unsolicited proposal to acquire Brown-Forman was not actionable after the Brown family's Wolf Pen Branch opposed it.
2026Constellation Brands
Nick Fink becomes CEO
Nicholas Fink succeeds Bill Newlands as President and CEO on April 13, 2026, the fifth CEO in the company's history.
Acquisitions
Brown-Forman
- Diplomático Rum2023$725M
- Gin Mare2022Undisclosed
- The BenRiach Distillery Company2016$405M
- Herradura2007$776M
- Jack Daniel's (Lem Motlow Distillery)1956Undisclosed
Constellation Brands
- Obregon Brewery2016$600M
- Ballast Point Brewing2015$1B
- Grupo Modelo U.S. Beer Business2013$4.8B
- Robert Mondavi Corporation2004$1B
- Barton Incorporated1993$123M
Questions about Brown-Forman vs Constellation Brands
Who is the CEO of Brown-Forman Corporation and Constellation Brands, Inc.?
Brown-Forman Corporation is led by Lawson E. Whiting and Constellation Brands, Inc. is led by Nicholas I. Fink. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Brown-Forman Corporation founded vs Constellation Brands, Inc.?
Brown-Forman Corporation was founded in 1870 — 75 years before Constellation Brands, Inc., which was founded in 1945. Brown-Forman Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Constellation Brands, Inc..
How many employees does Brown-Forman Corporation have compared to Constellation Brands, Inc.?
Brown-Forman Corporation employs approximately 4,900 people, while Constellation Brands, Inc. employs approximately 9,400. Constellation Brands, Inc. has the larger workforce at 9,400 employees, compared to Brown-Forman Corporation's 4,900. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Brown-Forman Corporation and Constellation Brands, Inc. headquartered?
Both Brown-Forman Corporation and Constellation Brands, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Brown-Forman Corporation and Constellation Brands, Inc.?
Brown-Forman Corporation was founded by George Garvin Brown. Constellation Brands, Inc. was founded by Marvin Sands.
Which company has a longer operating history — Brown-Forman Corporation or Constellation Brands, Inc.?
Brown-Forman Corporation has been operating for approximately 156 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Constellation Brands, Inc. has been in operation for around 81 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Brown-Forman vs Constellation Brands overview