Constellation Won’t “Lead the Charge” On Pricing

Dear Client: Constellation Brands isn't planning on raising prices on its wines unless other wineries do so first. "'We're not going to lead the charge,'" said cfo Bob Ryder in an interview with Reuters' Martinne Geller. Recall that Constellation already paid the price (literally) after raising prices on Arbor Mist and Vendage, causing volumes to slow. The general thinking is that higher grape costs stemming from a shortened California grape harvest will cause producers to raise prices to the consumer;