Constellation Brands says North America unit CEO Fernandez dies at 54 after cancer fight

Constellation Wines North America CEO dies

VICTOR, N.Y. — Jose Fernandez, CEO of Constellation Wines North America, has died after a fight with brain cancer, parent company Constellation Brands Inc. said Monday. He was 54.

The wine company said in a statement that Fernandez died Jan. 1.

Fernandez joined Constellation Brands in 2001 and was named CEO of the North America unit in 2007. He was a 30-year veteran of the wine industry.

Constellation’s brands include Robert Mondavi, Clos du Bois, Blackstone, Ravenswood and others, as well as Black Velvet Canadian Whisky and SVEDKA Vodka. The president of the company’s North American division, Jay Wright, will continue to run the unit. Wright assumed the role on Dec. 1.

Constellation is based in Victor, N.Y. Its shares rose 13 cents to $16.06 in afternoon trading.