Constellation Moving Widmer; Says RIT Could Take Over Property
By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor
Today Constellation Brands confirmed that it will shut down production at the massive Widmer Wine Cellars facility in Naples in 2011. The facility cranks out 2.2 million cases of wine each year, including the Widmer, Brickstone, Taylor and Manischewitz brands. Constellation will continue to make the wine, moving all production to its Canandaigua facility.
"We expect the full 2.2 million cases to transfer to Canandaigua as part of the consolidation," says Constellation Director of Corporate Communications Angela Blackwell. The move will bring the Canandaigua facility's annual production to an even 10 million cases.
While a deal with the Rochester Institute of Technology is not complete, Blackwell says RIT is interested in taking over the facility and vineyards. "They're looking at multiple uses for that site, including wine courses, experiments, and a hospitality program," Blackwell says, noting that, "We have not finalized anything with RIT yet." That kind of deal would represent a significant expansion for RIT in the areas of wine and hospitality, potentially putting RIT in position to beging competing with Cornell.
Most neighbors I met in Naples were not happy with the news. "I think it sucks, to be honest," says longtime Widmer customer Vicki Van Buren. "I'm worried RIT would receive tax-exempt status. How would that help Naples?"
But neighbor Joel Lincoln spoke for many in town when he noted, "Widmer is a huge property. It's part of a gorgeous drive into Naples. If RIT can come in and fill it, at least there wouldn't be deteriorating property there."
i’ve been to the canandaigua facility and it is just enormous. not surprised that it could absorb 2.2 Mcases. Any idea how many people work at this facility? And how many might not have a job anymore?
Tom - 55 people work there and Constellation tells me they’ll attempt to bring “as many as possible” up to the Canandaigua facility. Interpret that as you will. And btw, the Can facility will now make an even 10 million cases annually.
Maybe I’m missing something but has this company ever done anything positive - in all their years - to enhance quality winemaking in New York? Please enlighten me.
Here’s an oddball memory from wayback:
When I was new in the wine business, 1988-1989, I worked in a wine shop in Wilmington, DE. The biggest selling wine in the store year in and year out was Widmer.
Of course, at that time I was case stacking Pichon Lalande 1979 for $39 and Latour was $49. And Mondavi Woodbridge was still called “Bob White” - it was a new brand.
Great Western, Taylor Lake Niagra, and Bully Hill were HUGE sellers at that time (in Delaware!). Let me echo ROH’s comments - What has this company done lately to benefit NY wine (except employ hundreds of people of course)?
One suggestion would be to plant Riesling - invest in it like Chat. Ste. Michelle did in Washington State. That would be cool.
“Maybe I’m missing something but has this company ever done anything positive - in all their years - to enhance quality winemaking in New York? Please enlighten me.”
We don’t talk about such things in NY. It might hurt a few funded programs.
If that sounds cynical, well, there you go…
so you guys need to get some scratch together and buy yourselves some vineyard land. then in 80 years, you can be like “Yep, I, [your name here], was the man who tore out the Concord at the Widmer and planted the first few acres of Riesling.” Youll be like Joe Rochioli talking about his Pinot.
oh yea, and in general, no matter what type of wines that company made, what they did for us is keep a very large patch of land in vineyard. Just as Chinese apple concentrate has driven out of buisness all the orchards in the Hudson Valley, eventually Constellation, and Motts, and Welches will all pull out of the Finger Lakes, my guess would be for South American grapes. The point is that the Finger Lakes AVA stands to inherit a lot of vineyard land in the near future, and this will be the major difference in the Finger Lake’s success vis a vie Long Island and Hudson Valley.
Whereas the Finger Lakes has ample room to expand, both Hudson Valley and Long Island have two major constraints on their growth. The first is geography; obviously Long Island is an Island, and the for grape growing purposes the Hudson Valley might as well be an island (check out the map on page 4, [
… this link should work http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/scandoclinks/ocm70187810.htm
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