Constellation Brands Buys Direct-to-Consumer Brand Empathy Wines

By Colin Kellaher

Constellation Brands Inc. on Wednesday said it has acquired Empathy Wines, a direct-to-consumer wine company co-founded by media personality Gary Vaynerchuk, for an undisclosed amount.

The Victor, N.Y., beer and spirits company said Empathy focuses on producing sustainably made wines that it sells through its e-commerce platform.

Constellation said it would work with Empathy to further grow the brand, adding that it will use Empathy's consumer insights and analytics, brand-building expertise and digital technology to build direct-to-consumer and digital capabilities across Constellation's wine and spirits brands.

Empathy, which Mr. Vaynerchuk launched last year with business partners Jon Troutman and Nate Scherotter, has sold about 15,000 cases and acquired more than 2,000 subscription customers to date, Constellation said.

The company said Mr. Vaynerchuk will continue to assist in a consulting capacity.

Write to Colin Kellaher at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 01, 2020 07:49 ET (11:49 GMT)

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