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44 / the tasting panel / october 2009 with 60 of its value and regional U.S. wine and spirits brands. With fewer brands competing against one another and new, multi- year distributor agreements in place, the company's refocused portfolio of domestic and imported wines and spirits is now supported by a network of companies that includes Southern Wine & Spirits, Republic National Distributing, National Wine & Spirits and Johnson Brothers Liquor Company. "Managing change in an uncertain economy is easier when the goal is apparent," says Wright. "The chang- es we've undergone in the last few months put Constellation among the top two alcohol beverage companies in the U.S. And more importantly, this structure allows us to focus on our powerful portfolio and gives each of our wineries the resources they need to continue creating dis- tinctive quality wines that represent their region and style." Visionary Collaboration Under Wright's leadership at Vincor, Constellation's success with Canadian wineries like Inniskillin and Jackson-Triggs wasn't con- fined to products that were already likely to perform. Wright's vision also included projects that required faith—one of which is one of Vin- cor's star wineries, Le Clos Jor- danne. Located on the Jordan Bench of the Niagara Escarpment, the winery was launched in 2006 as a joint venture between Vincor Canada and Boisset France. Jean-Charles Boisset, Vice President of Boisset, La Famille des Grands Vins, joined forces with Wright as part of the French com- pany's first investment in Canada. "I've worked with Jay on our Le Clos Jordanne project from his earliest days at Vincor," says Boisset, "and I've been extremely impressed with his ability to understand the qual- ity of fine wines, the importance of terroir and the long term vision of winemaking." In the near term, the winery's 2005 Claystone Terrace Chardonnay re- cently took first place for white wines in the "Judgment of Montreal" blind tasting, and winemaker Thomas Bachelder was named Winemaker of the Year at the 2009 Ontario Wine Awards. With Le Clos Jordanne's super-premium Pinot Noir and Char- donnay wines raising the internation- al profile of Niagara wines, Boisset foresees U.S. distribution in the near future. "As a leader, Jay has excep- tional people skills," remarks Boisset; "he's both very positive and a great listener. He knows how to keep his team focused, energized and, above all, motivated." Robert Mondavi Winery is a shining star in the Constellation portfolio. Estancia, on California's Central Coast, boasts classic California varietals. Cover Story PHOTO COURTESY OF CONSTELLATION WINES US PHOTO COURTESY OF CONSTELLATION WINES US