Glaetzer lands major wine job in the US

The Glaetzers are a legendary family in Barossa wine circles.

Of the current generation, Ben Glaetzer is a leading winemaker with his own brand, Nick Glaetzer is making excellent wines in Tasmania for Glaetzer-Dixon Family Wines and big brother Sam Glaetzer is making waves in the US.

Sam Glaetzer was today named Executive Vice President and President, Wine & Spirits Division, for Constellation Brands, one of the biggest beverage brands in the world.

Glaetzer will lead the company’s Wine and Spirits Division and will also serve as a member of Constellation’s executive management committee.

“Sam is a well-rounded senior leader with a wealth of experience in wine and spirits and a successful track record of driving commercial and operational efficiency and effectiveness,” said Bill Newlands, President and Chief Executive Officer at Constellation Brands.

“Now that our strategic wine and spirits brand portfolio transformation is largely complete, and as we turn our focus more squarely towards strong commercial and operational execution for this business, Sam is uniquely equipped to lead our wine and spirits division at this pivotal time as we look to deliver growth and improved profitability.”

Glaetzer brings nearly 30 years of wine and spirits industry experience to this role. He joined Constellation Brands in 2014 as managing director of the company’s New Zealand and Australian operations.

Over the better part of the past decade, Glaetzer has served in a number of leadership capacities in areas such as general management, international commercial sales, supply chain operations, product quality, new product development, acquisition integrations, and divestitures.

"I’m excited about the opportunity to lead our wine and spirits team as we look to more fully capitalize on our portfolio transformation and accelerate the overall performance of this business going forward,” he said.

“We have a solid strategy and foundation for growth in place, and one of the most talented teams in the industry.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues across our wine and spirits division, as well as our wholesaler and retailer partners, to realise our full potential in the years ahead.”

Big gig.

Constellation Brands includes Corona beers. Robert Mondavi Wines, Simi Wines and Kim Crawford in New Zealand.