SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
______________________________________________________________________
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
______________________________________________________________________
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
______________________________________________________________________
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
______________________________________________________________________
(5) Total fee paid: ______________________________________________________
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid: ______________________________________________
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ________________________
(3) Filing Party: ________________________________________________________
(4) Date Filed: __________________________________________________________
[CBI LOGO]
CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
Fine Wines, Spirits & Beers
------------------------------
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
------------------------------
June 23, 1999
TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Canandaigua Brands, Inc. at One Chase Square, Rochester, New York, on Tuesday,
July 20, 1999 at 11:00 a.m.
The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement describe in detail the matters expected to be acted upon at the
meeting. The Company's 1999 Annual Report, which is contained in this package,
sets forth important business and financial information concerning the Company.
We hope you are able to attend this year's Annual Meeting.
Very truly yours,
/s/ MARVIN SANDS
MARVIN SANDS
Chairman of the Board
/s/ RICHARD SANDS
RICHARD SANDS
President and Chief
Executive Officer
CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, New York 14450
----------------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JULY 20, 1999
----------------------------------------
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC. the ("Company") will be held at One Chase Square,
Rochester, New York, on Tuesday, July 20, 1999 at 11:00 a.m. for the following
purposes more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement:
1. To elect directors of the Company (Proposal No. 1).
2. To consider and act upon a proposal to approve Amendment Number 6 to
the Company's 1989 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal No. 2).
3. To consider and act upon a proposal to approve Amendment Number Two to
the Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (Proposal No. 3).
4. To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the selection of Arthur
Andersen LLP, Certified Public Accountants, as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending February 29, 2000
(Proposal No. 4).
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 28, 1999 as
the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
A Proxy Statement and proxy are enclosed.
WE HOPE YOU WILL ATTEND THIS MEETING IN PERSON, BUT IF YOU CANNOT, PLEASE
SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY. RETURN THE PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/S/ DAVID S. SORCE
DAVID S. SORCE, Secretary
Fairport, New York
June 23, 1999
CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, New York 14450
---------------
PROXY STATEMENT
---------------
1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the stockholders of CANANDAIGUA
BRANDS, INC. (the "Company") in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
the Board of Directors of the Company. The proxies are for use at the 1999
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company and at any adjournment thereof
(the "Meeting"). The Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 1999 at 11:00
a.m. at One Chase Square, Rochester, New York.
The shares represented by your proxy, if the proxy is properly executed and
returned, and not revoked, will be voted at the Meeting as therein specified.
You may revoke your proxy at any time before the proxy is exercised by
delivering to the Secretary of the Company a written revocation or a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date. You may also revoke your proxy by attending
the Meeting and voting in person.
The shares represented by your proxy will be voted FOR the election of the
director nominees named herein (Proposal No. 1), unless you specifically
withhold authority to vote for one or more of the director nominees. Further,
unless you indicate otherwise, the shares represented by your proxy will be
voted FOR the proposal to approve Amendment Number 6 to the Company's 1989
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal No. 2), FOR the proposal to approve
Amendment Number Two to the Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (Proposal
No. 3), and FOR the ratification of the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as the
Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending February 29, 2000
(Proposal No. 4).
The outstanding capital stock of the Company consists of Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock. The enclosed proxy has been designed so that it
can be used by stockholders owning Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock
or both Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to
the solicitation by use of the mails, directors, officers or regular employees
of the Company, without extra compensation, may solicit proxies in person or by
telephone or facsimile. The Company has requested persons holding stock for
others in their names or in the names of nominees to forward these materials to
the beneficial owners of such shares. If requested, the Company will reimburse
such persons for their reasonable expenses in forwarding these materials.
This Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy are being first mailed to
stockholders on or about June 25, 1999.
VOTING SECURITIES
The total outstanding capital stock of the Company as of May 28, 1999,
consisted of 14,796,434 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Class A Stock"), and 3,189,599 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share (the "Class B Stock"). Each share of Class B Stock is convertible
into one share of Class A Stock at any time at the option of the holder.
- 2 -
Only holders of record of Class A Stock and Class B Stock on the books of
the Company at the close of business on May 28, 1999, the record date for
eligibility to vote at the Meeting, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Meeting and at any adjournment thereof. Subject to certain contrary provisions
of Delaware law, the holders of the Class A Stock and the holders of the Class B
Stock vote together as a single class on all matters other than the election of
directors. Each holder of Class A Stock is entitled to one (1) vote for each
share of Class A Stock registered in his or her name, and each holder of Class B
Stock is entitled to ten (10) votes for each share of Class B Stock registered
in his or her name.
The holders of a majority of the outstanding aggregate voting power of the
Class A Stock and the Class B Stock present at the Meeting, in person or by
proxy, will constitute a quorum. Shares represented by proxies marked as
abstentions will be counted toward determining the presence of a quorum. Proxies
relating to shares held in "street name" by brokers or other nominees which may
be voted with respect to some, but not all, matters without instruction from the
beneficial owner ("broker non-votes") are counted as shares present for
determining a quorum.
Under Delaware law and the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and By-laws, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast (the highest
number of votes cast) by the holders of the shares entitled to vote and actually
voting, in person or by proxy. Pursuant to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, the holders of the Class A Stock, voting as a separate class, are
entitled to elect one-fourth of the number of directors to be elected at the
Meeting (rounded up to the next number if the total number of directors to be
elected is not evenly divisible by four). The holders of the Class B Stock,
voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect the remaining number of
directors to be elected at the Meeting. The Board of Directors nominated only
seven directors because a replacement for Bertram E. Silk, who resigned
effective February 28, 1999, has not been selected. As a result of having one
vacancy, the holders of Class A Stock will be entitled to elect two directors
and the holders of Class B Stock will be entitled to elect five directors. The
shares represented by your proxy cannot be voted for a greater number of persons
than the number of nominees. Because the directors are elected by a plurality of
the votes cast in each election, votes that are withheld will not be counted and
will therefore not affect the outcome of the elections.
The adoption of the proposal to approve Amendment Number 6 to the Company's
1989 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal No. 2) requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders present in person
or represented by proxy at the Meeting. With respect to this proposal, holders
of Class A Stock and Class B Stock are entitled to vote as a single class at the
Meeting, with holders of Class A Stock having one (1) vote per share and holders
of Class B Stock having ten (10) votes per share. Abstentions will therefore
have the effect of negative votes. However, because broker non-votes are not
considered entitled to vote, they will not affect the outcome of the vote.
The adoption of the proposal to approve Amendment Number Two to the
Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (Proposal No. 3) requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders
present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. With respect to this
proposal, holders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock are entitled to vote as a
single class at the Meeting, with holders of Class A Stock having one (1) vote
per share and holders of Class B Stock having ten (10) votes per share.
Abstentions will therefore have the effect of negative votes. However, because
broker non-votes are not considered entitled to vote, they will not affect the
outcome of the vote.
The ratification of the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
independent auditors (Proposal No. 4) requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders present in person or
represented by proxy at the Meeting. With respect to this proposal, holders of
Class A Stock and Class B Stock are entitled to vote as a single class at the
Meeting, with holders of Class A Stock
- 3 -
having one (1) vote per share and holders of Class B Stock having ten (10) votes
per share. Abstentions will therefore have the effect of negative votes. Broker
non-votes, if any, will not affect the outcome of the vote.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
The following tables and notes set forth as of May 28, 1999 (i) the
persons known to the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the Class A
Stock or Class B Stock, (ii) the number of shares beneficially owned by them,
and (iii) the percent of such class so owned, rounded to the nearest one-tenth
of one percent. This information is based on information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of each person concerned. Unless otherwise noted, the
percentages of ownership were calculated on the basis of 14,796,434 shares of
Class A Stock and 3,189,599 shares of Class B Stock outstanding as of the close
of business on May 28, 1999.
CLASS A STOCK
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AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1)
----------------------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF SOLE POWER TO SHARED POWER TO PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER VOTE OR DISPOSE VOTE OR DISPOSE TOTAL CLASS (1)
- ----------------------------- --------------- --------------- --------- ----------
Marilyn Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 789,053 (2) 12,631 (3) 801,684 5.4 %
Robert Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 337,152 (4) 369,098 (4) 706,250 4.8 %
Richard Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 328,145 (5) 369,098 (5) 697,243 4.7 %
Marvin Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 30,954 (6) 369,098 (6) 400,052 2.7 %
CWC Partnership-I
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 - 356,467 (7) 356,467 2.4 %
Trust for the benefit of
Andrew Stern, M.D. under
the will of Laurie Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 - 356,467 (8) 356,467 2.4 %
Stockholders Group Pursuant to
Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (9) - 1,065,349 1,065,349 7.2 %
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CLASS B STOCK
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1)
----------------------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF SOLE POWER TO SHARED POWER TO PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER VOTE OR DISPOSE VOTE OR DISPOSE TOTAL CLASS (1)
- ----------------------------- --------------- --------------- --------- ----------
Richard Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 713,779 1,230,668 (5) 1,944,447 61.0 %
Robert Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 713,324 1,230,668 (4) 1,943,992 60.9 %
Marvin Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 101,850 724,418 (6) 826,268 25.9 %
Trust for the benefit of
Andrew Stern, M.D. under the
will of Laurie Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 - 724,418 (8) 724,418 22.7 %
CWC Partnership-I
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 - 678,964 (7) 678,964 21.3 %
Trust for the benefit of the
Grandchildren of Marvin and
Marilyn Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450 - 506,250 (10) 506,250 15.9 %
Marilyn Sands
300 WillowBrook Office Park
Fairport NY 14450 78,750 (3) - 78,750 2.5 %
Stockholders Group Pursuant to
Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (9) - 2,759,621 2,759,621 86.5 %
- --------------------------
(1) The number of shares and the percentage of ownership set forth in the Class
A Stock table includes the number of shares of Class A Stock that can be
purchased by exercising stock options that are exercisable on May 28, 1999
or become exercisable within 60 days thereafter ("presently exercisable"),
but does not include the shares of Class A Stock issuable pursuant to the
conversion feature of the Class B Stock beneficially owned by each person.
The number of shares and percentage of ownership assuming conversion of
Class B Stock into Class A Stock are contained in the footnotes. For
purposes of calculating the percentage of ownership of Class A Stock in the
footnotes, additional shares of Class A Stock equal to the number of shares
of Class B Stock owned by each person are assumed to be outstanding
pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act. Where the
footnotes reflect shares of Class A Stock as being included, such shares
are included only in the Class A Stock
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table. Where the footnotes reflect shares of Class B Stock as being
included, such shares are included in only the Class B Stock table.
(2) With respect to 787,501 shares of the 789,053 shares of Class A Stock,
Marilyn Sands is the beneficial owner of a life estate which includes the
right to receive income from and the power to vote and dispose of such
shares. The remainder interest in such shares is held by Richard Sands,
Robert Sands and CWC Partnership-II, a New York general partnership
("CWCP-II").
(3) The amounts reflected include, as applicable, 12,631 shares of Class A
Stock owned by the Mac and Sally Sands Foundation, Incorporated, a Virginia
corporation (the "Sands Foundation"), of which Ms. Sands is a director, and
74,250 shares of Class B Stock owned by Ms. Sands in her capacity as
trustee under Irrevocable Declaration of Trust No. 4. Ms. Sands disclaims
beneficial ownership with respect to all such shares owned by the Sands
Foundation. The amounts reflected do not include any shares beneficially
owned by her husband, Marvin Sands, which are reflected in the tables and
described in footnote (6) below and with respect to which she disclaims
beneficial ownership. Assuming the conversion of Class B Stock beneficially
owned by Ms. Sands into Class A Stock, Ms. Sands would beneficially own
880,434 shares of Class A Stock, representing 5.9% of the outstanding Class
A Stock after such conversion.
(4) The amount reflected as shares of Class A Stock over which Robert Sands has
the sole power to vote or dispose includes 17,175 shares of Class A Stock
issuable upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable by
Mr. Sands. The amounts reflected as shares over which Mr. Sands shares
power to vote or dispose include, as applicable, 308,951 shares of Class A
Stock and 678,964 shares of Class B Stock owned by CWC Partnership-I, a New
York general partnership ("CWCP-I"), of which Robert Sands is a managing
partner, 47,516 shares of Class A Stock owned by MLR&R, a New York general
partnership ("MLR&R"), of which Mr. Sands is a general partner, 45,454
shares of Class B Stock owned by CWCP-II, of which Mr. Sands is a trustee
of the managing partner, 506,250 shares of Class B Stock owned by the trust
described in footnote (10) below, and 12,631 shares of Class A Stock owned
by the Sands Foundation, of which Mr. Sands is a director and officer. Mr.
Sands disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the foregoing shares except
to the extent of his ownership interest in CWCP-I and MLR&R. The amounts
reflected do not include 22,940 shares of Class A Stock owned by Mr. Sands'
wife, individually and as custodian for their minor children, the remainder
interest Mr. Sands has in 259,849 of the 787,501 shares of Class A Stock
subject to the life estate held by Marilyn Sands described in footnote (2)
above or the remainder interest of CWCP-II in 265,151 of such shares. Mr.
Sands disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to all such shares.
Assuming the conversion of Class B Stock beneficially owned by Mr. Sands
into Class A Stock, Mr. Sands would beneficially own 2,650,242 shares of
Class A Stock, representing 15.8% of the outstanding Class A Stock after
such conversion.
(5) The amount reflected as shares of Class A Stock over which Richard Sands
has the sole power to vote or dispose includes 12,300 shares of Class A
Stock issuable upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable
by Mr. Sands. The amounts reflected as shares over which Mr. Sands shares
power to vote or dispose include, as applicable, 308,951 shares of Class A
Stock and 678,964 shares of Class B Stock owned by CWCP-I, of which Richard
Sands is a managing partner, 47,516 shares of Class A Stock owned by MLR&R,
of which Mr. Sands is a general partner, 45,454 shares of Class B Stock
owned by CWCP-II, of which Mr. Sands is a trustee of the managing partner,
506,250 shares of Class B Stock owned by the trust described in footnote
(10) below, and 12,631 shares of Class A Stock owned by the Sands
Foundation, of which Mr. Sands is a director and officer. Mr. Sands
disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the foregoing shares except to the
extent of his ownership interest in CWCP-I and MLR&R. The amounts reflected
do not include 1,965 shares of Class A Stock owned by Mr. Sands' wife, the
remainder interest Mr. Sands has in 262,501 of the 787,501 shares of Class
A
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Stock subject to the life estate held by Marilyn Sands described in
footnote (2) above or the remainder interest of CWCP-II in 265,151 of such
shares. Mr. Sands disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to all such
shares. Assuming the conversion of Class B Stock beneficially owned by Mr.
Sands into Class A Stock, Mr. Sands would beneficially own 2,641,690 shares
of Class A Stock, representing 15.8% of the outstanding Class A Stock after
such conversion.
(6) The amount reflected as shares of Class A Stock over which Marvin Sands has
the sole power to vote or dispose includes 4,375 shares of Class A Stock
issuable upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable by
Mr. Sands. The amounts reflected as shares over which Mr. Sands shares
power to vote or dispose include, as applicable, 308,951 shares of Class A
Stock and 678,964 shares of Class B Stock owned by CWCP-I, of which Mr.
Sands is the special voting trustee of the marital trust described in
footnote (8) below (the "Marital Trust") which owns a majority in interest
of the CWCP-I partnership interests, 47,516 shares of Class A Stock owned
by MLR&R, of which Marvin Sands is a general partner, 45,454 shares of
Class B Stock owned by CWCP-II, of which Mr. Sands is the special voting
trustee of the Marital Trust which owns a majority in interest of the
CWCP-II partnership interests, and 12,631 shares of Class A Stock owned by
the Sands Foundation, of which Mr. Sands is a director and officer. Mr.
Sands disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to all of the foregoing
shares except to the extent of his ownership interest in MLR&R. The amounts
reflected do not include 789,053 shares of Class A Stock or 78,750 shares
of Class B Stock owned by Mr. Sands' wife, Marilyn Sands, or the remainder
interest CWCP-II has in 265,151 of the 787,501 shares of Class A Stock
subject to the life estate held by Marilyn Sands described in footnote (2)
above. Mr. Sands disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to all such
shares. Assuming the conversion of Class B Stock beneficially owned by Mr.
Sands into Class A Stock, Mr. Sands would beneficially own 1,226,320 shares
of Class A Stock, representing 7.8% of the outstanding Class A Stock after
such conversion.
(7) The amounts reflected include 47,516 shares of Class A Stock owned by
MLR&R, of which CWCP-I is a general partner. The shares owned by CWCP-I are
included in the number of shares beneficially owned by Richard Sands and
Robert Sands, the managing partners of CWCP-I, the Marital Trust, a partner
of CWCP-I which owns a majority in interest of the CWCP-I partnership
interests, Marvin Sands, the special voting trustee of the Marital Trust,
and the group described in footnote (9) below. The other partners of CWCP-I
are trusts for the benefit of Laurie Sands' children, Abigail and Zachary
Stern. Assuming the conversion of Class B Stock beneficially owned by
CWCP-I into Class A Stock, CWCP-I would beneficially own 1,035,431 shares
of Class A Stock, representing 6.7% of the outstanding Class A Stock after
such conversion.
(8) The amounts reflected include, as applicable, 308,951 shares of Class A
Stock and 678,964 shares of Class B Stock owned by CWCP-I, in which the
Marital Trust is a partner and owns a majority in interest of the CWCP-I
partnership interests, 45,454 shares of Class B Stock owned by CWCP-II, in
which the Marital Trust is a partner and owns a majority in interest of the
CWCP-II partnership interests, and 47,516 shares of Class A Stock owned by
MLR&R, of which CWCP-I is a general partner. The Marital Trust disclaims
beneficial ownership with respect to all of the foregoing shares except to
the extent of its ownership interest in CWCP-I and CWCP-II. The amounts
reflected do not include the remainder interest CWCP-II has in 265,151 of
the 787,501 shares of Class A Stock subject to the life estate held by
Marilyn Sands described in footnote (2) above. The Marital Trust disclaims
beneficial ownership with respect to all such shares except to the extent
of its ownership interest in CWCP-II. Assuming the conversion of Class B
Stock beneficially owned by the Marital Trust into Class A Stock, the
Marital Trust would beneficially own 1,080,885 shares of Class A Stock,
representing 7.0% of the outstanding Class A Stock after such conversion.
(9) The group as reported consists of Marvin Sands (the husband of Marilyn
Sands and the father of Richard and Robert Sands), Richard Sands, Robert
Sands, CWCP-I, CWCP-II, and the trust described
- 7 -
in footnote (10) (collectively, the "Group"). The basis for the Group
consists of: (i) a Stockholders Agreement among Richard Sands, Robert Sands
and CWCP-I and (ii) the fact that the familial relationship between Marvin
Sands, Richard Sands and Robert Sands, their actions in working together in
the conduct of the business of the Company and their capacity as partners
and trustees of the other members of the Group may be deemed to constitute
an agreement to "act in concert" with respect to the Company's shares. The
members of the Group disclaim that an agreement to act in concert exists.
Except with respect to the shares subject to the Stockholders Agreement,
the shares owned by CWCP-I and CWCP-II and the shares held by the trust
described in footnote (10) below, no member of the Group is required to
consult with any other member of the Group with respect to the voting or
disposition of any shares of the Company. Assuming the conversion of Class
B Stock beneficially owned by the Group into Class A Stock, the Group would
beneficially own 3,824,970 shares of Class A Stock, representing 21.8% of
the outstanding Class A Stock after such conversion.
(10) The trust was created by Marvin Sands under the terms of an Irrevocable
Trust Agreement dated November 18, 1987 (the "Trust"). The Trust is for the
benefit of the present and future grandchildren of Marvin and Marilyn
Sands. The Co-Trustees of the Trust are Richard Sands and Robert Sands.
Unanimity of the Co-Trustees is required with respect to voting and
disposing of the Class B Stock owned by the Trust. The shares owned by the
trust are included in the number of shares beneficially owned by Richard
Sands, Robert Sands and the Group. Assuming the conversion of Class B Stock
beneficially owned by the Trust into Class A Stock, the Trust would
beneficially own 506,250 shares of Class A Stock, representing 3.3% of the
outstanding Class A Stock after such conversion.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the annual and long-term compensation paid
to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the other four most highly
compensated executive officers at the end of the fiscal year ended February 28,
1999 (collectively, the "Named Executives"). The table is designed to provide
stockholders with a concise, comprehensive view of the Company's executive
compensation. It therefore includes all aspects of compensation for services
rendered to the Company during the fiscal years ended February 28, 1999, 1998,
and 1997.
None of the Named Executives received any individual perquisites or other
personal benefits exceeding the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total salary and
bonus reported for such executive officer, or any pay-outs under long-term
incentive plans during the periods covered by the Summary Compensation Table.
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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
------------------------------------- ------------
OTHER SECURITIES ALL OTHER
ANNUAL UNDERLYING COMPEN-
COMPEN- OPTIONS/ SATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY(1) BONUS SATION(2) SARs(#)(3) (4)(5)
- ----------------------------------- ---- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ---------
Marvin Sands, 1999 $ 496,561 $ 446,719 - 16,900 $ 43,293
Chairman of the Board 1998 478,170 502,079 - 17,500 43,827
1997 447,239 150,943 - - 18,536
Richard Sands, 1999 $ 487,537 $ 438,601 - 16,600 $ 42,592
President and Chief Executive 1998 469,480 492,954 - 17,200 42,510
Officer 1997 439,112 148,200 $ 304 90,000 (6) 18,408
Robert Sands, 1999 $ 473,564 $ 426,031 - 16,100 $ 40,060
Chief Executive Officer, 1998 456,025 478,859 - 16,700 41,645
International, Executive Vice 1997 426,528 143,953 $ 190 85,000 (8) 16,983
President and General Counsel (7)
Alexander L. Berk, 1999 $ 399,600 $ 311,688 - 20,900 $ 52,752
President and Chief Executive 1998 370,000 323,750 - 13,600 46,250
Officer of Barton Incorporated (9) 1997 353,100 287,000 - 43,500 (9) 18,750
Daniel C. Barnett, 1999 $ 363,462 $ 112,416 - 9,200 $ 19,360
President and Chief Executive 1998 350,000 235,620 $ 5,252 10,700 34,018
Officer of Canandaigua Wine 1997 315,412 94,671 6,045 54,500 (10) 48,946
Company, Inc.(7)
- -------------------------
(1) Amounts shown include cash compensation earned and received by the Named
Executives as well as amounts earned but deferred.
(2) Amounts shown are for payments to offset tax liabilities incurred by the
Named Executives.
(3) The securities consist of shares of Class A Stock underlying stock options.
See the table below entitled "Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year" and
the footnotes to that table for additional information.
(4) Amounts reported for 1999 consist of:
o Company 401(k) contributions under the Company's 401(k) and Profit
Sharing Plan: Marvin Sands $4,800; Richard Sands $4,800; Robert Sands
$3,352; Alexander Berk $4,800; and Daniel Barnett $4,800.
o Company profit sharing contributions under the Company's 401(k) and
Profit Sharing Plan: Marvin Sands $12,352; Richard Sands $12,352;
Robert Sands $12,352; Alexander Berk $15,482 and Daniel Barnett
$6,400.
o Company contributions under the Company's Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan: Marvin Sands $26,141; Richard Sands $25,440; Robert
Sands $24,356; Alexander Berk $32,470; and Daniel Barnett $8,160.
- 9 -
(5) Amounts for fiscal year 1998 have been adjusted to reflect the following
Company contributions under the Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan made in the latter part of fiscal year 1999 for fiscal year 1998:
Marvin Sands $24,937; Richard Sands $24,256; Robert Sands $23,201;
Alexander Berk $26,250; and Daniel Barnett $14,891.
(6) This amount for Richard Sands includes: (i) the repricing of an option to
purchase 70,000 shares of Class A Stock; and (ii) the grant of an option to
purchase 20,000 shares of Class A Stock.
(7) In April 1999, Mr. Barnett departed from Canandaigua Wine Company, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Robert Sands assumed, on an
interim basis, the position of President and Chief Executive Officer.
(8) This amount for Robert Sands includes: (i) the repricing of an option to
purchase 15,000 shares of Class A Stock; (ii) the repricing of an option to
purchase 50,000 shares of Class A Stock; and (iii) the grant of an option
to purchase 20,000 shares of Class A Stock.
(9) Barton Incorporated is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. As of
February 28, 1998, Alexander Berk's position was expanded to include
overall responsibility for the Company's Barton segment. The 43,500 shares
for Mr. Berk in fiscal year 1997 includes: (i) the repricing of an option
to purchase 10,000 shares of Class A Stock; (ii) two repricings of an
option to purchase 10,000 shares of Class A Stock; (iii) two repricings of
an option to purchase 3,500 shares of Class A Stock; and (iv) the grant of
options to purchase 20,000 shares of Class A Stock.
(10) This amount for Daniel Barnett includes: (i) two repricings of options to
purchase 43,500 shares of Class A Stock; and (ii) the grant of options to
purchase 11,000 shares of Class A Stock.
STOCK OPTIONS
The following table contains information concerning stock option grants to
the Named Executives during the fiscal year ended February 28, 1999. No stock
appreciation rights ("SARs") were granted to any of the Named Executives in that
year. The columns labeled "Potential Realizable Value" are based on hypothetical
5% and 10% growth assumptions, as required by the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Company cannot predict the actual growth rate of its Common
Stock.
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS VALUE AT ASSUMED
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL RATES OF
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL STOCK PRICE
SECURITIES OPTIONS/SARs APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR OPTION TERM
OPTIONS/SARs EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION -----------------------
NAME GRANTED (1) FISCAL YEAR ($/SH) (2) DATE 5% 10%
- ----------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------- --------- -----------
Marvin Sands 16,900 (3) 2.3 % $ 51.625 04/26/08 $ 548,687 $ 1,390,481
Richard Sands 16,600 (3) 2.3 % $ 51.625 04/26/08 $ 538,947 $ 1,365,797
Robert Sands 16,100 (3) 2.2 % $ 51.625 04/26/08 $ 522,714 $ 1,324,659
Alexander L. Berk 20,900 (3) 2.9 % $ 51.625 04/26/08 $ 678,554 $ 1,719,588
Daniel C. Barnett 9,200 (3) 1.3 % $ 51.625 04/26/08 $ 298,694 $ 756,948
- 10 -
- --------------------
(1) The stock options were granted under the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and
are nonqualified stock options exercisable for shares of Class A Stock. The
stock options were granted for terms of no greater than 10 years, subject
to earlier termination upon the occurrence of certain events related to
termination of employment. Under the Plan, the vesting of stock options
accelerates in the event of a change of control, as defined in the Plan.
(2) The exercise price per share of each option is equal to the closing market
price of a share of Class A Stock on the date of grant.
(3) The options vest and become fully exercisable on April 27, 2003, unless
they become exercisable on an earlier date as follows: (i) 25% will become
exercisable after the fair market value of a share of Class A Stock has
been at least $64.5625 for fifteen (15) consecutive trading days; (ii) an
additional 25% will become exercisable after such fair market value has
been at least $80.6875 for fifteen (15) consecutive trading days; and (iii)
the remaining 50% will become exercisable after such fair market value has
been at least $100.875 for fifteen (15) consecutive trading days.
The table below sets forth information regarding the number and value of
exercisable and unexercisable stock options held by the Named Executives as of
February 28, 1999. None of the Named Executives exercised any stock options
during the fiscal year ended February 28, 1999. There are no outstanding SARs.
The stock options reflected on the table were granted under the Company's
Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS/SARs AT FY-END (1) OPTIONS/SARs AT FY-END
----------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ----------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Marvin Sands 4,375 30,025 $ 54,141 $ 191,997
Richard Sands 12,300 111,500 $ 266,213 $ 2,144,438
Robert Sands 17,175 105,625 $ 474,041 $ 2,022,047
Alexander L. Berk 12,800 65,200 $ 345,000 $ 1,344,688
Daniel C. Barnett 32,475 41,925 $ 1,117,078 $ 1,013,872
- -------------------------
(1) The securities consist of shares of Class A Stock underlying stock options.
REPORT WITH RESPECT TO EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following report is required by the Securities and Exchange
Commission's executive compensation rules in order to standardize the reporting
of executive compensation by public companies. This information shall not be
deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the federal securities laws
by virtue of any general incorporation of this Proxy Statement by reference and
shall not otherwise be treated as filed under the securities laws.
- 11 -
GENERAL
The Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors administers the
Company's executive compensation program. During the period March 1, 1998
through March 31, 1998, the Human Resources Committee was composed of George
Bresler, Thomas McDermott and Paul Smith, each of whom is a nonemployee
director. On March 31, 1998, Mr. Bresler resigned from the Human Resources
Committee. During the period between March 1, 1998 and Mr. Bresler's
resignation, the Human Resources Committee did not take any action. Since March
31, 1998, the Human Resources Committee has been composed of Messrs. McDermott
and Smith. Mr. Bresler resigned voluntarily from the Committee so that the
Committee could be composed solely of "outside directors" as defined under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (see discussion below under
"Deductibility of Executive Compensation").
The objective of the Company's executive compensation program is to develop
and maintain executive compensation programs which (i) are competitive with the
pay practices of other companies of comparable size and status, including those
in the beverage alcohol industry, and (ii) attract, motivate and retain key
executives who are vital to the long-term success of the Company. As discussed
in detail below, the Company's executive compensation program consists of both
fixed (base salary) and variable, incentive-based compensation elements. These
elements are designed to operate together to comprise performance-based annual
cash compensation and stock-based compensation which aligns the interests of the
Company's executives with the interests of its stockholders.
Executive compensation is determined in light of the Company's performance
during the fiscal year and taking into account compensation data of comparable
companies. Factors specifically considered in fiscal year 1999 included
increases in the Company's sales volume and operating income as compared to the
Company's fiscal 1998 results.
BASE SALARY
With respect to annual compensation, the fundamental objective in setting
base salary levels for the Company's senior management is to pay competitive
rates to attract and retain high quality, competent executives. Competitive pay
levels are determined based upon input of compensation consultants, independent
industry surveys, proxy disclosures, salaries paid to attract new managers and
past experience. The Human Resources Committee reviews data generated by William
H. Mercer Incorporated, a consultant to the Company, for competitive analyses.
Base salary levels are determined based upon factors such as individual
performance (e.g., leadership, level of responsibility, management skills and
industry activities), Company performance and competitive pay packages.
ANNUAL MANAGEMENT INCENTIVES
In addition to their base salary, the Company's executives have the
opportunity to earn an annual cash bonus. The annual bonus for executive
officers for fiscal 1999 was based on attainment of certain target financial
performance goals for the Company. Awards were based on a percentage of base
salary with target awards ranging from 45% to 60% of base salaries for executive
officers. The purpose of the annual bonus is to motivate and provide an
incentive to management to achieve specific business objectives and initiatives
as set forth in the Company's annual operating plan and budget. For fiscal 1999,
annual cash bonuses were awarded to each of the Named Executives in the amounts
indicated in the Summary Compensation Table.
Future cash bonuses for the participating executives will be determined by
the Human Resources Committee pursuant to, or in a manner similar to, the
Company's Annual Management Incentive Plan. Pursuant to that plan, the Committee
would award cash bonuses to the participating executives in the event that the
Company attains one or more pre-set performance targets.
- 12 -
STOCK OPTIONS, SARs AND RESTRICTED STOCK
In connection with the executive compensation program, long-term incentive
awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted
stock have been granted under the Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. This
arrangement balances the annual operating objectives of the annual cash
incentive plan with the Company's longer-term stockholder value building
strategies. The Human Resources Committee and the Board of Directors grant these
stock-based incentive awards from time to time for the purpose of attracting and
retaining key executives, motivating them to attain the Company's long-range
financial objectives, and closely aligning their financial interests with
long-term stockholder interests and share value.
The Company believes that through the use of stock options, executives'
interests are directly tied to enhanced stockholder value. The Human Resources
Committee of the Board (as well as the full Board) has the flexibility of
awarding nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights
and other stock-based awards under the Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan
and incentive stock options under the Company's Incentive Stock Option Plan.
This flexibility enables the Company to fine-tune its grants in order to
maximize the alignment of the interests of the stockholders and management.
During fiscal 1999, the Human Resources Committee awarded nonqualified
options to all executive officers, including the Company's Chief Executive
Officer, taking into account relevant market survey data, their position with
the Company and the financial performance of the Company. The exercise prices of
the stock options awarded were equal to the market value of the underlying
shares on the date of grant. Accordingly, the value of the awards depends solely
upon future growth in the share value of the Company's Class A Stock.
COMPENSATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
For fiscal year 1999, the compensation of Richard Sands, the Company's
Chief Executive Officer, was based on the Company's performance and growth as
described under the caption "General" above. In addition, the compensation
packages of chief executive officers of certain comparable companies selected by
William H. Mercer Incorporated were considered. Also taken into account was the
Company's current executive salary and compensation structure.
Richard Sands' base salary is believed to be in line with salaries of
executives of similar companies and chief executive officers with similar
responsibilities. Annual cash incentives were set as a percentage of Richard
Sands' base salary based upon the financial performance of the Company. The
ranges for these awards, from threshold, target and maximum (15%, 60% and 105%,
respectively), were comparable to industry compensation survey data for
executives in Richard Sands' position. For the fiscal year ended February 28,
1999, Richard Sands received a bonus of $438,601. As noted above, during fiscal
1999, Mr. Sands also received stock options to purchase up to 16,600 shares of
Class A Stock of the Company.
DEDUCTIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that certain
compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid to a company's chief
executive officer and four other most highly paid executive officers may not be
deductible by the company unless it qualifies as performance-based compensation.
The Human Resources Committee recognizes the benefits of structuring executive
compensation so that Section 162(m) does not limit the Company's tax deductions
for such compensation, and the Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan,
Incentive Stock Option Plan and Annual Management Incentive Plan have been
designed so that the Human Resources Committee may award performance-based
compensation that is not subject to the limits imposed by Section 162(m). Under
certain circumstances, the Human Resources Committee may decide to award
executive compensation in an amount and form that is not deductible under
Section 162(m).
- 13 -
The foregoing report is given by the members of the Human Resources
Committee.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Thomas C. McDermott
Paul L. Smith
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
As described above, during fiscal 1999, George Bresler, Thomas McDermott
and Paul Smith served as members of the Human Resources Committee of the
Company's Board of Directors. With respect to fiscal 1999, Mr. Bresler served on
the Committee through March 31, 1998 and, none of Messrs. Bresler, McDermott or
Smith is or has ever been an officer or employee of the Company. Mr. Bresler, an
attorney, performs legal services for the Company, for which he is paid $30,000
per year under the terms of a retainer arrangement. The Company also includes
Mr. Bresler under its non-working group medical policy and pays a monthly
premium of approximately $165 for his coverage.
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Set forth below is a line graph comparing, for the fiscal years ended
August 31, 1994 and 1995, the Transition Period from September 1, 1995 to
February 29, 1996, and the fiscal years ended February 28, 1997, 1998 and 1999,
the cumulative total stockholder return of the Company's Class A Stock and Class
B Stock, with the cumulative total return of the Nasdaq Market Index and a peer
group index comprised of companies in the beverage industry (the "Selected Peer
Group Index") (see footnote (1) to the graph). The graph assumes the investment
of $100.00 on August 31, 1993 in the Company's Class A Stock, Class B Stock, the
Nasdaq Market Index and the Selected Peer Group Index, and also assumes the
reinvestment of all dividends.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
-----------------------------------------------
[PERFORMANCE GRAPH]
- 14 -
1993 1994 1995 1996* 1997 1998 1999
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
CBRNA $100.00 $137.08 $212.36 $170.79 $138.20 $250.56 $239.89
CBRNB 100.00 139.13 207.61 165.22 144.57 251.09 242.39
Peer Group Index 100.00 104.39 137.42 175.38 235.06 267.24 281.82
Nasdaq 100.00 109.26 130.01 135.70 162.88 221.52 286.24
- ----------------
* The Transition Period.
(1) The SELECTED PEER GROUP INDEX is comprised of the following companies:
Adolph Coors Company (Class B Shares); Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.;
Beringer Wine Estates Holdings, Inc. (Class B Shares) (included in 1998 and
1999 only); The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (included in 1996, 1997, 1998 and
1999 only); Brown-Forman Corporation (Class A and Class B Shares); Cadbury
Schweppes plc; The Chalone Wine Group, Ltd.; Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Consolidated; Coca-Cola Company; Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.; Genesee
Corporation (Class B Shares); LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton; The Robert
Mondavi Corporation (Class A Shares); PepsiCo, Inc.; and Whitman
Corporation. Note: Beringer Wine Estates Holdings, Inc. (Class B Shares)
and The Boston Beer Company, Inc. are included only in the years for which
trading and public information were available.
There can be no assurance that the Company's stock performance will
continue into the future with the same or similar trends depicted by the graph
above. The Company neither makes nor endorses any predictions as to future stock
performance.
The Stock Price Performance Graph set forth above shall not be deemed
incorporated by reference in any filing under the federal securities laws by
virtue of any general incorporation of this Proxy Statement by reference and
shall not otherwise be treated as filed under the securities laws.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Alexander Berk and Barton Incorporated are parties to an employment
agreement dated as of September 1, 1990, as amended on November 11, 1996 and
October 20, 1998, that provides for Mr. Berk's compensation and sets forth the
terms and conditions of Mr. Berk's employment with Barton. Under his employment
agreement, Mr. Berk serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Barton and by virtue of his current responsibilities with Barton, he is deemed
an executive officer of the Company. The employment agreement expires on
February 28, 2001, but will be automatically extended for additional one-year
periods unless either Mr. Berk or Barton notifies the other that such party does
not wish to extend it. The agreement will terminate prior to its expiration date
(i) upon Mr. Berk's death or Retirement, (ii) at Barton's election, for Cause or
upon Mr. Berk's Complete Disability, and (iii) at Mr. Berk's election, for Good
Reason (all as set forth in the agreement). If Barton decides not to extend the
term of the agreement, or if the agreement terminates by reason of Mr. Berk's
death, Complete Disability, or Retirement, or for Good Reason, Barton is
obligated to pay to Mr. Berk a post-termination benefit equal to 100% of his
then current base salary plus the bonus amount paid to him for the immediately
prior fiscal year. If Mr. Berk decides not to extend the term of the agreement,
then Barton is obligated to pay to Mr. Berk a post-termination benefit equal to
one half of the foregoing amount. In the event that Mr. Berk's employment is
terminated for Good Reason, or is terminated by Barton for reasons other than
death, Complete Disability, Cause, or Barton's decision not to extend the term
of the agreement, then Mr. Berk is entitled to be paid (i) if the applicable
conditions are satisfied, a supplementary post-termination benefit equal to what
he otherwise would have been entitled to receive as his share of Barton's
contribution to its profit-sharing and retirement plan for the fiscal year in
which such termination occurs and (ii) an amount equal to the product of his
then current base salary multiplied by the number of years remaining in the then
term of the agreement.
- 15 -
Post-termination benefits are payable to Mr. Berk in a lump sum as soon as
practicable after employment terminates, except that any supplementary
post-termination benefit is payable promptly after Barton's contribution to the
retirement plan. The agreement requires Mr. Berk to keep certain information
with respect to the Company confidential during and after his employment with
the Company.
By an Agreement dated December 20, 1990, the Company entered into a
split-dollar insurance agreement with a trust established by Marvin Sands of
which Robert Sands is the trustee. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company pays
the annual premium on an insurance policy (the "Policy") held in the trust,
$209,063 in fiscal 1999, and the trust reimburses the Company for the portion of
the premium equal to the "economic benefit" to Marvin Sands calculated in
accordance with the United States Treasury Department rules then in effect
($13,667 in fiscal 1999). The Policy is a joint life policy payable upon the
death of the second to die of the insureds, Marvin Sands and his wife Marilyn,
with a face value of $5 million. Pursuant to the terms of the trust, Richard
Sands, Robert Sands (in his individual capacity) and the children of Laurie
Sands (the deceased sister of Richard and Robert Sands) will each receive
one-third of the proceeds of the Policy (after the repayment of the indebtedness
to the Company out of such proceeds as described below) if they survive Marvin
Sands and Marilyn Sands. From the inception of the agreement through the end of
fiscal 1999, the Company has paid aggregate premiums, net of reimbursements, of
$1,819,557. The aggregate amount of such unreimbursed premiums constitutes
indebtedness from the trust to the Company and is secured by a collateral
assignment of the Policy. Upon the termination of the Agreement, whether by the
death of the survivor of the insureds or earlier cancellation, the Company is
entitled to be repaid by the trust the amount of such indebtedness.
In April 1999, Daniel Barnett, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Canandaigua Wine Company, Inc. left the employ of the Company. In recognition of
Mr. Barnett's service and to ensure he would not engage in certain activities
competitive with the Company's business, the Company and Mr. Barnett entered
into an agreement to provide for the terms of his departure. Under the
agreement, the Company paid to Mr. Barnett $364,000, which represents Mr.
Barnett's annual salary. The Company also accelerated all of Mr. Barnett's
unvested stock options and extended the post-termination exercise period for his
stock options to June 30, 2000. In addition, the Company paid Mr. Barnett $4,800
in lieu of the Company's contribution under its 401(k) plan for fiscal year
2000, and $25,480 in lieu of its contribution under its profit sharing plan and
supplemental executive retirement plan for fiscal year 2000. Also, the Company,
agreed to pay to Mr. Barnett the amount of $95,000 to defray certain costs that
may result from his departure.
Richard Sands, Robert Sands and four trusts formed under the will of Laurie
Sands are the beneficial owners of a limited partnership which owns railroad
cars. These cars are leased by the Company from the partnership at fair market
rates. During fiscal year 1999, the Company made payments with respect to
leasing these cars to this limited partnership in the amount of $27,501. The
Company expects to continue its present relationship with the limited
partnership during fiscal year 1999.
Harold Whitehead and Partners ("HWP") provides consulting services to
Matthew Clark plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, on an as needed
basis. The son of Peter Aikens, the Chief Executive Officer of Matthew Clark,
has an equity interest in HWP. Over the course of the last year, approximately
$640,000 was paid to HWP for services rendered to Matthew Clark.
George Bresler, a director of the Company, is a partner of the law firm of
Bresler Goodman & Unterman, LLP in New York, New York. The Company pays to Mr.
Bresler individually an annual retainer of $30,000 for his legal services to the
Company. The Company also includes Mr. Bresler under its non-working group
medical policy and pays a monthly premium of approximately $165 for his
coverage. James A. Locke, III, a director of the Company, is a partner in the
law firm of Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle LLP, Rochester, New York, the
Company's principal outside counsel.
- 16 -
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act requires the Company's
directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10%
of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission reports of ownership and changes in ownership
of the Company's Class A Stock and Class B Stock. Executive officers, directors
and greater than 10% stockholders are required to furnish the Company with
copies of all such reports they file. Based solely upon review of copies of such
reports furnished to the Company and related information, the Company believes
that all such filing requirements for fiscal 1999 were complied within a timely
fashion.
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table and notes thereto set forth, as of May 28, 1999, the
beneficial ownership of the Company's directors and nominees, the Named
Executives, and all of the Company's directors and executive officers as a
group. This information is based on information furnished to the Company by or
on behalf of each person concerned. Unless otherwise noted, the named individual
has sole voting power and investment discretion with respect to the shares
attributed to him and the percentages of ownership are calculated on the basis
of 14,796,434 shares of Class A Stock and 3,189,599 shares of Class B Stock
outstanding as of the close of business on May 28, 1999.
CLASS A STOCK (1) CLASS B STOCK
----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
------------------------------
SHARES
ACQUIRABLE PERCENT OF PERCENT OF
WITHIN 60 DAYS CLASS SHARES CLASS
OUTSTANDING BY EXERCISE OF BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES OPTIONS (2) OWNED (3) OWNED OWNED
- ------------------------ -------------- -------------- ------------ -------------- ------------
Richard Sands 684,943 (4) 12,300 4.7% (4) 1,944,447 (4) 61.0% (4)
Robert Sands 689,075 (4) 17,175 4.8% (4) 1,943,992 (4) 60.9% (4)
Marvin Sands 395,677 (4) 4,375 2.7% (4) 826,268 (4) 25.9% (4)
Daniel C. Barnett 1,186 74,400 * - *
Alexander L. Berk - 13,500 * - *
James A. Locke, III 1,049 9,000 * (5) 33 *
George Bresler 2,000 6,000 * - *
Paul L. Smith 400 6,000 * - *
Thomas C. McDermott - 6,000 * - *
All Executive Officers and
Directors as a Group
(11 persons) (6) 1,035,346 (6) 135,425 7.8% (6) 2,759,654 86.5%
- ----------------------
* Percentage does not exceed one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of
such class.
- 17 -
(1) The shares and percentages of Class A Stock set forth in this table do not
include (i) shares of Class A Stock that may be acquired within 60 days by
an employee under the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (because such
number of shares is not presently determinable) and (ii) shares of Class A
Stock that are issuable pursuant to the conversion feature of the Company's
Class B Stock, although, such information is provided in a footnote, where
appropriate. For purposes of calculating the percentage of Class A Stock
beneficially owned in the footnotes, additional shares of Class A Stock
equal to the number of shares of Class B Stock owned by the named person or
by the persons in the group of executive officers and directors are assumed
to be outstanding only for that person or group of persons pursuant to Rule
13-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act.
(2) Reflects the number of shares of Class A Stock that can be purchased by
exercising stock options that are exercisable on May 28, 1999 or become
exercisable within sixty 60 days thereafter.
(3) The percentage of Class A Stock beneficially owned by each of the named
persons and by the executive officers and directors as a group as reflected
in the table is based on the total number of shares listed for that person
or group of persons under "Outstanding Shares" and "Shares Acquirable
within 60 days by Exercise of Options". For purposes of calculating the
percentage, the number of shares of Class A Stock listed under "Shares
Acquirable within 60 days by Exercise of Options" for a named person or for
the executive officers and directors as a group are assumed to be
outstanding only for that person or group of persons pursuant to Rule
13d-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act.
(4) Includes shares with respect to which the named individual shares voting
power or investment discretion. See tables and footnotes under "Beneficial
Ownership" above for information with respect to such matters and for the
number and percentage of shares of Class A Stock that would be owned
assuming the conversion of Class B Stock into Class A Stock.
(5) Assuming the conversion of Mr. Locke's 33 shares of Class B Stock into
Class A Stock, Mr. Locke would beneficially own 10,082 shares of Class A
Stock, representing less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding Class A
Stock after such conversion.
(6) This group consists of the Company's current executive officers and
directors; therefore, Mr. Barnett is not included in this group of people.
Also, includes 200 shares of Class A Stock with respect to which a member
of the group shares the power to vote or dispose with his spouse. Assuming
the conversion of a total of 2,759,654 shares of Class B Stock beneficially
owned by the executive officers and directors as a group into Class A
Stock, all executive officers and directors as a group would beneficially
own 3,930,425 shares of Class A Stock, representing 22.2% of the
outstanding Class A Stock after such conversion.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
--------------
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
DIRECTOR NOMINEES
In connection with his plans for retirement from the Company, Bertram E.
Silk resigned his directorship effective February 28, 1999. The Company is in
the process of screening candidates to fill the vacancy created by his
resignation. As a result, on March 25, 1999, the Board of Directors of the
Company nominated seven directors to be elected by the stockholders to hold
office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors
are elected and qualified. This leaves one vacancy on the Board of Directors to
be filled at a later date. The nominees for election to the Board of Directors
are Marvin Sands, Richard Sands, Robert Sands, George Bresler, James A. Locke,
III, Thomas C. McDermott and Paul L. Smith.
- 18 -
Messrs. McDermott and Smith have been designated as the nominees to be elected
by the holders of the Class A Stock, voting as a separate class. The remaining
five directors are to be elected by the holders of the Class B Stock, voting as
a separate class. The shares represented by your proxy cannot be voted for a
greater number of persons than the number of nominees.
Management does not anticipate that any of the nominees will become
unavailable for any reason, but if that should occur before the Meeting, proxies
will be voted FOR another nominee or nominees to be selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company. The following paragraphs contain certain biographical
information about the nominees.
GEORGE BRESLER DIRECTOR SINCE 1992
Mr. Bresler, age 74, has been engaged in the practice of law since 1957. From
August 1987 through July 1992, Mr. Bresler was a partner of the law firm of
Bresler and Bab, New York, New York. Since 1992, Mr. Bresler has been a partner
of the law firm of Bresler Goodman & Unterman, LLP, and its predecessor firm, in
New York, New York. Mr. Bresler provides legal services to the Company.
JAMES A. LOCKE, III DIRECTOR SINCE 1983
Mr. Locke, age 57, has been a partner in the law firm of Nixon, Hargrave, Devans
and Doyle LLP, Rochester, New York, the Company's principal outside counsel,
since January 1, 1996. For twenty years prior to joining Nixon, Hargrave, Mr.
Locke was a partner in the law firm of Harter, Secrest and Emery, Rochester, New
York.
THOMAS C. MCDERMOTT DIRECTOR SINCE 1997
Mr. McDermott, age 62, has been a proprietor of Forbes Products, LLC, a custom
vinyl business products company, since January 1998. From 1994 to 1997, Mr.
McDermott was President and Chief Executive Officer of Goulds Pumps,
Incorporated, a centrifugal pumps company for industrial, domestic and
agricultural markets, where he also was Chairman from 1995 to 1997. From 1986 to
1993, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Bausch & Lomb
Incorporated, a contact lens, lens-care and eyewear products company. Mr.
McDermott also serves on the Board of Directors of Thomas & Betts Corporation.
MARVIN SANDS DIRECTOR SINCE 1946
Mr. Sands, age 75, is the founder of the Company, which is the successor to a
business he started in 1945. Mr. Sands continues to serve as an officer of the
Company as Chairman of its Board of Directors. He has been a director of the
Company and its predecessor since 1946 and was Chief Executive Officer until
October 1993. He is the father of Richard Sands and Robert Sands.
RICHARD SANDS, PH.D. DIRECTOR SINCE 1982
Mr. Sands, age 48, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
He has been employed by the Company in various capacities since 1979. He was
elected Executive Vice President and a director in 1982, became President and
Chief Operating Officer in May 1986, and was elected Chief Executive Officer in
October 1993. He is a son of Marvin Sands and the brother of Robert Sands.
ROBERT SANDS DIRECTOR SINCE 1990
Mr. Sands, age 41, is Chief Executive Officer, International, Executive Vice
President and General Counsel of the Company. He was appointed Vice President
and General Counsel in June 1990, was elected Executive Vice President in
October 1993 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer, International in
December 1998. From June 1986 until his appointment as Vice President and
General Counsel, Mr. Sands was employed by the Company as General Counsel. In
addition, since the departure of the former President of Canandaigua Wine
Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, in April 1999, Mr.
Sands has assumed, on an interim basis, the position of President and Chief
Executive Officer of Canandaigua Wine Company, Inc. He is a son of Marvin Sands
and the brother of Richard Sands.
- 19 -
PAUL L. SMITH DIRECTOR SINCE 1997
Mr. Smith, age 63, retired from Eastman Kodak Company in 1993 after working
there for thirty-five years. Mr. Smith was employed in various positions at
Eastman Kodak Company, the last of which was from 1983 to 1993, when he served
as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Also, from 1983 to 1993,
Mr. Smith served on the Board of Directors of Eastman Kodak Company. Mr. Smith
also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Home Properties of New York,
Inc. and Performance Technologies, Incorporated.
See also information regarding George Bresler, Marvin Sands, Richard Sands,
and Robert Sands under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions". For information with respect to the number of shares of the
Company's common stock beneficially owned by each of the above named directors,
see the table and the footnotes thereto under the caption "Stock Ownership of
Management".
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Company's policy is to pay its nonemployee directors $35,000 per year
for their services as directors. George Bresler, James A. Locke, Thomas C.
McDermott and Paul L. Smith qualify for such payments, but Mr. Locke has waived
the payment of his director's fee. The Company also reimburses its directors for
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board
of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors. Directors who are also
employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for serving as
directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors of the Company held seven meetings during the
Company's fiscal year ended February 28, 1999. The standing committees of the
Board are the Audit Committee, Corporate Governance Committee and Human
Resources Committee. During fiscal 1999, each of the incumbent directors, during
his period of service, attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings
held by the Board and each committee of the Board on which he served.
AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Audit Committee is currently composed of Paul L. Smith
(Chair), Thomas C. McDermott and Richard Sands. The Audit Committee reviews the
Company's financial reports and monitors the Company's material policies and
procedures which relate to: compliance with pertinent laws; the ethical conduct
of business; controls against employee conflict of interest and misconduct; and
maintenance of adequate internal controls. The Audit Committee held four
meetings during fiscal 1999.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. The Corporate Governance Committee is currently
composed of James A. Locke (Chair), Thomas C. McDermott, Robert Sands and Paul
L. Smith. The full Board is responsible for nominating candidates to become
Directors, but has delegated the screening process involved to the Corporate
Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee advises the Board
concerning appropriate composition of the Board and its committees and advises
the Board regarding appropriate corporate governance practices and assists the
Board in achieving them. Among other matters, this Committee also makes
recommendations to the full Board with respect to an officer to be designated as
Chief Executive Officer, and a director to serve as Chairman of the Board. In
addition, this Committee recommends to the Board compensation for directors who
are neither present or former full-time officers of the Company. This Committee
held one meeting during fiscal 1999. The Corporate Governance Committee will
consider nominations by shareholders. Those suggestions should include
sufficient biographical information so that the Committee can appropriately
assess the person's background and qualifications. All submissions should be
sent in writing to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, Canandaigua Brands,
Inc., 300 WillowBrook Office Park, Fairport, NY 14450.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE. The present members of the Human Resources Committee
are Thomas C. McDermott (Chair) and Paul L. Smith. During fiscal 1999, the
composition of the Human Resources Committee
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changed. From March 1, 1998 through March 31, 1998, the Committee was composed
of George Bresler, Thomas C. McDermott and Paul L. Smith. On March 31, 1998, Mr.
Bresler resigned voluntarily from the Committee. The Human Resources Committee
monitors: human resources policies and procedures as they relate to the goals
and objectives of the Company and good management practices; the Company's
material policies and procedures which relate to compliance with pertinent laws
and the management of human resources capital; and procedures and internal
controls which relate to personnel administration, pay practices and benefits
administration. The Human Resources Committee is responsible for reviewing total
executive compensation in relation to individual executive performance, Company
performance, salary information and other parameters deemed reasonable in the
assignment of executive compensation levels. This Committee also reviews and
approves executive benefits and perquisites and reviews performance systems,
including reward programs. The Human Resources Committee evaluates the
performance of the Chief Executive Officer and approves his salary, as well as
the salaries of other executives. This Committee also presently administers the
Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, Incentive Stock Option Plan, Annual
Management Incentive Plan and 1989 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and reviews
succession planning for the Company and other important human resources issues.
The Human Resources Committee held two meetings during fiscal 1999.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
Since the filing of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended February 28, 1999, where the executive officers of the Company are
identified under Item 4 of Part I, Jean-Michel Valette has become an executive
officer of the Company. Mr. Valette became an executive officer on June 4, 1999
in connection with the Company's acquisition of Franciscan Vineyards, Inc. Mr.
Valette, age 39, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Franciscan
Vineyards, Inc., now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canandaigua Brands, Inc. In
this capacity, Mr. Valette is in charge of the Company's Fine Wine segment. He
has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Franciscan Vineyards, Inc.
since August 1998. From October 1994 to August 1998, Mr. Valette served as a
Managing Director of Hambrecht & Quist LLC (an investment banking company) and
from November 1992 to October 1994, he was a Senior Analyst with Hambrecht &
Quist LLC. Mr. Valette is one of a few Americans to hold the title of Master of
Wine.
VOTE REQUIRED
A plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of Class A
Stock is required for the election of the two directors elected by the holders
of Class A Stock. A plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of
Class B Stock is required for the election of the five directors elected by the
holders of Class B Stock.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES. UNLESS AUTHORITY
TO VOTE FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE NOMINEES IS SPECIFICALLY WITHHELD, THE SHARES
REPRESENTED BY YOUR PROXY, IF PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED, AND NOT REVOKED,
WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL THE NOMINEES FOR WHOM YOU ARE ENTITLED TO
VOTE.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
--------------
PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER 6 TO THE COMPANY'S
1989 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
The Company's Board of Directors has amended, subject to shareholder
approval, the Company's 1989 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("Purchase Plan") to
grant the committee administering the Purchase Plan the authority to designate
the subsidiaries of the Company whose employees are eligible to participate in
the Purchase Plan. This amendment is necessary because the structure of the
Purchase Plan may be inconsistent or incompatible with the laws of other
countries. The following discussion summarizes certain provisions of the
Purchase Plan. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to
and qualified in its entirety by
- 21 -
reference to the full text of the Purchase Plan which is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 28, 1998 and Amendment Number 6 to the Purchase Plan
attached hereto as Appendix A.
SUMMARY OF TERMS
The Purchase Plan was adopted by the Company on January 20, 1989 and
permits employees of the Company to purchase shares of Class A Stock from the
Company at a discount and on a tax-advantaged basis. Initially, 500,000 shares
of Class A Stock were available for issuance through one or more offerings under
the Purchase Plan. Due to intervening stock splits, an aggregate of 1,125,000
shares of Class A Stock (on a split-adjusted basis) may be issued under the
Purchase Plan. Through the date hereof, 369,184 shares of Class A Stock (on a
split-adjusted basis) have been issued under the Purchase Plan. The market value
of the Class A Stock as of June 11, 1999 was $47.1875 per share.
ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE PURCHASE PLAN
Employees of the Company or, unless otherwise determined by the committee
administering the Purchase Plan, employees of any of its subsidiaries on the
commencement date of an offering are eligible to participate in offerings under
the Purchase Plan. In order to be considered an "employee" for the purpose of
participating in an offering under the Purchase Plan, an employee must be
customarily employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for seventeen and
one-half (17 1/2) hours or more per week and for more than 5 months per year.
Shareholder-employees who own in the aggregate 5% or more of the Company's
voting stock are not eligible to participate in offerings under the Purchase
Plan. The amendment to the Purchase Plan for which shareholder approval is being
sought authorized the committee administering the Purchase Plan to designate the
subsidiaries of the Company whose employees are eligible to participate in the
Purchase Plan. Presently, the employees of all of the subsidiaries of the
Company other than Matthew Clark plc and its subsidiaries, the Company's U.K.
subsidiaries, are eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan. There are
approximately 2,700 employees eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS
Employees who elect to participate in an offering under the Purchase Plan
have deductions taken from their salary or wages during the offering period in
amounts authorized by them within applicable limits. Employees may elect to have
a deduction of a designated dollar amount of their pay. The minimum dollar
deduction is $2.00 per week, and the maximum deduction is 10% of the employees'
gross weekly pay, excluding overtime, bonuses or special pay.
Payroll deductions are credited to an account for the employee and will be
refunded to the employee upon request without interest, if, prior to the last
day of that offering under the Purchase Plan, the employee chooses to
discontinue such employee's participation in the offering. If the employee
continues to participate throughout the offering, the full balance of such
employee's payroll deduction account on the last day of the offering period will
be applied to the purchase of whole shares of Class A Stock, with any remaining
amount being refunded to the employee without interest. If, for any reason, the
offering is oversubscribed, participating employees will be allotted shares on a
pro-rata basis. Any balance in an employee's account not applied to the purchase
of whole shares of Class A Stock in the event of an oversubscription will be
refunded to such employee without interest.
PURCHASE PRICE
Employees who participate in offerings under the Purchase Plan will be
granted the right to purchase as many full shares of Class A Stock as is
possible with the amount in the employees' payroll deduction accounts as
- 22 -
of the end of the offering period. The purchase price per share for eligible
employees who elect to participate in an offering will be the lower of:
(1) 85% of the fair market value of a share of Class A Stock on the
effective date of the offering; or
(2) 85% of the fair market value of a share of Class A Stock on the
termination of the offering period.
The fair market value of a share of Class A Stock on any date is the closing
price of shares of Class A Stock on the applicable trading market for the Class
A Stock on that date. If no sales are made on the applicable trading market on
that date, the next preceding date on which such sales were made is used.
DEATH, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND WITHDRAWAL
In the event of an employee's retirement or death during the term of any
offering, no further payroll deductions will be taken from any compensation due
and owing to such employee at that time. If an employee dies or retires within 3
months of the end of the offering period, the employee, or in the event of
death, the beneficiary or legal representative of the employee's estate, may
elect to purchase the number of full shares which the accumulated payroll
deductions in the employee's account can purchase at the end of the offering
period. If no such election to purchase is made, the employee's accumulated
payroll deductions will be distributed to the employee or the employee's
beneficiary or legal representative in cash, without interest. If the employee
dies or retires before 3 months prior to the end of an offering period or the
employee's employment is terminated for any reason other than retirement or
death, the employee's payroll deductions will be returned to the employee in
cash, without interest.
Employees may withdraw payroll deductions credited to their accounts under
the Purchase Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Company. All
payroll deductions are paid promptly after receipt of notice of withdrawal and
no further payroll deductions will be made from a withdrawing employee's
compensation with respect to that offering under the Purchase Plan.
Payroll deductions credited to an employee's account and rights to receive
shares under the Purchase Plan may not be assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise disposed of in any manner.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PURCHASE PLAN
The Purchase Plan is administered by the Human Resources Committee of the
Board of Directors of the Company, (which is referred to in the Purchase Plan as
the Compensation Committee). The Human Resources Committee is appointed by and
serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Subject to the provisions of
the Purchase Plan and such instructions and limitation as may be established by
the Board, the Human Resources Committee determines the times and terms of
offerings under the Purchase Plan and is authorized to prescribe rules and
regulations relating to it.
AMENDMENT OF THE PURCHASE PLAN
To the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors may, from time to
time, make such changes in the Purchase Plan and additions to it as it deems
advisable; provided, however, that except as specifically provided in the
Purchase Plan and except with respect to changes or additions in order to make
the Purchase Plan comply with Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), the Board of Directors may not make any changes or
additions which would adversely affect subscription rights previously granted
under the Purchase Plan and may not, without the approval of the stockholders of
the Company, make any changes or additions which would (a) increase the
aggregate number of shares of Class A Stock subject to the Purchase Plan or
which may be subscribed to by an employee, (b) decrease the minimum purchase
price for
- 23 -
a share of Class A Stock or (c) change any of the provisions of the Purchase
Plan relating to eligibility for participation in offerings under the Purchase
Plan. (However, if the proposed amendment to the Purchase Plan is approved by
the stockholders, the committee administering the Purchase Plan shall have the
authority to designate without further stockholder approval, the subsidiaries of
the Company whose employees are eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.)
DURATION OF THE PURCHASE PLAN
The Purchase Plan will remain in effect until the earliest to occur of the
following: (1) the purchase by employees of all Class A Stock authorized for
sale under the Purchase Plan; or (2) termination of the Purchase Plan by action
of the Board of Directors of the Company. No rights to purchase Class A Stock
granted under the Purchase Plan can be extinguished through a termination of the
Purchase Plan.
TAX FEATURES
The Company is of the opinion that the rights granted under the Purchase
Plan constitute rights granted pursuant to an "employee stock purchase plan"
within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code, and the following discussion
assumes that the Purchase Plan is so qualified. However, the Company has not
requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that the Purchase Plan
qualifies as an "employee stock purchase plan" within the meaning of Section 423
of the Code. The Purchase Plan is not subject to the provisions of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and is not qualified under Section 401 of
the Internal Revenue Code.
The granting of a purchase right under the Purchase Plan will have no
immediate federal income tax consequences to employees, and employees will not
realize income at the time they exercise a purchase right. The tax consequences
of a disposition by an employee of Class A Stock purchased pursuant to the
Purchase Plan will vary depending on how long the employee holds the stock
before selling it. If an employee disposes of Class A Stock acquired under the
Purchase Plan after having held it for more than two years after the date of the
grant of the purchase right and more than one year after it was issued, the
employee will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates on the lesser of the
following two amounts: (a) fifteen percent of the fair market value of the stock
at the time the purchase right was granted, or (b) the amount by which the fair
market value of the stock at the time it is disposed of exceeds the purchase
price. Any gain realized on the disposition in excess of the amount treated as
ordinary income will be treated as capital gain. If an employee disposes of
stock within one year after the stock was issued or within two years after the
date the purchase right was granted, the employee will be taxed at ordinary
income tax rates on the difference between the purchase price and the fair
market value of the stock on the date it was issued, even if the shares are sold
for less than the fair market value on the date of issue or for less than the
actual purchase price paid by the employee. The amount required to be treated as
ordinary income would be added to the purchase price for the shares in
determining gain or loss upon such disposition.
There are no tax consequences to the Company or any subsidiary either at
the time purchase rights are granted under the Purchase Plan or at the time such
purchase rights are exercised. If the holding period described above is not met,
however, the Company or the subsidiary for whom the employee works would be
entitled to claim a deduction at the time of disposition for the amount which
the employee must recognize as ordinary income.
REASONS FOR APPROVAL
The Board of Directors believes that it is desirable and in the best
interests of the Company to efficiently conduct its international operations and
to comply with foreign laws and maximize the benefits to the Company and its
employees that can be obtained under them. By providing the Human Resources
Committee
- 24 -
with the flexibility to exclude foreign or other subsidiaries from the Purchase
Plan, the Company can avoid administrative and compliance difficulties and
burdens where there is no corresponding benefit to the Company or its employees.
To the extent practicable, the Company plans to tailor the benefits and plans of
its foreign employees so that they are consistent with foreign law but still
resemble as closely as possible the benefits and plans provided to domestic
employees.
VOTE REQUIRED
Approval of Proposal No. 2 to approve the amendment to the Purchase Plan
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by
stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. With
respect to this proposal, holders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock are
entitled to vote as a single class at the Meeting, with holders of Class A Stock
having one (1) vote per share and holders of Class B Stock having ten (10) votes
per share.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE
AMENDMENT OF THE PURCHASE PLAN AND ACCORDINGLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR
PROPOSAL NO. 2. UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED THEREIN, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY
YOUR PROXY, IF PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED, AND NOT REVOKED, WILL BE VOTED
FOR SUCH PROPOSAL.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
--------------
PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO TO THE COMPANY'S
LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
The Company's Board of Directors has approved an amendment to the Company's
Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan ("Long-Term Stock Plan") to increase the
aggregate number of shares of the Class A Stock available for awards under the
plan from 4,000,000 shares to 7,000,000 shares. This amendment will become
effective upon the approval of the stockholders of the Company. The following
discussion summarizes certain provisions of the Long-Term Stock Plan. This
summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the Long-Term Stock Plan which is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.1 to
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August
31, 1997, and Amendment Number Two to the Long-Term Stock Plan attached hereto
as Appendix B.
SUMMARY OF TERMS
Awards under the Long-Term Stock Plan may consist of any combination of
non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or
other stock-based awards (collectively, "Awards"). The aggregate number of
shares of the Company's Class A Stock available for Awards under the plan is
increased by the amendment from 4,000,000 shares to 7,000,000 shares.
Non-qualified options to purchase 2,657,570 shares of Class A Stock were
outstanding under the Long-Term Stock Plan on May 28, 1999 and rights with
respect to 809,973 shares were then available for grant. Based on these figures,
an aggregate of 3,809,973 shares would be available for awards under the
Long-Term Stock Plan upon the approval of the proposed amendment to the
Long-Term Stock Plan. Any Awards granted pursuant to the Long-Term Stock Plan
are automatically adjusted to prevent dilution or enlargement in the event of
any stock dividend, stock split, reorganization or other event affecting the
Class A Stock. The market value of the Class A Stock as of June 11, 1999 was
$47.1875 per share.
The Long-Term Stock Plan is administered by a committee of the Company's
Board of Directors (the "Stock Plan Committee"). The Long-Term Stock Plan is
presently administered by the Human Resources Committee. The Stock Plan
Committee may delegate its authority to others as provided in the plan, and the
- 25 -
entire Board of Directors may act as the Stock Plan Committee. Under the
Long-Term Stock Plan, the Stock Plan Committee is charged with responsibility
for selecting the participants and for determining the number and type of Awards
to be granted to each participant, the timing of the Awards, and any other terms
and conditions applicable to the Awards.
The persons who are eligible to participate in the Long-Term Stock Plan
include directors and employees (including officers) of the Company and its
subsidiaries. Four non-employee directors and approximately 4,400 employees are
eligible to participate in the Long-Term Stock Plan; however, only directors and
employees selected by the Stock Plan Committee or the Board of Directors will be
granted Awards under the plan. Outstanding non-qualified options granted under
the Long-Term Stock Plan are, as of May 28, 1999, held by approximately 700
employees.
The Long-Term Stock Plan may be amended, modified or terminated by the
Stock Plan Committee from time to time. No amendment, modification or
termination of the Long-Term Stock Plan will be effective without stockholder
approval if such approval is required under any applicable law or rule or any
regulation of the stock market on which the Class A Stock is traded. The
exercisability of any Award will terminate if the Stock Plan Committee
determines that the participant is engaged in competition with the Company or
has been terminated for "cause" as defined in the Long-Term Stock Plan.
Stock options and stock appreciation rights previously granted pursuant to
the Long-Term Stock Plan will not be affected by the amendment of the Long-Term
Stock Plan and will remain outstanding until they are exercised, expire or
otherwise terminate. The following table sets forth the aggregate number of
options granted, on a split-adjusted basis, under the Long-Term Stock Plan to
certain individuals and groups of individuals:
Individual or Group of Individuals Number of Options
---------------------------------- -----------------
Marvin Sands 50,700
Richard Sands 139,100
Robert Sands 138,800
Alexander L. Berk 103,000
Daniel C. Barnett 74,400
George Bresler 6,000
James A. Locke, III 9,000
Thomas C. McDermott 6,000
Paul L. Smith 6,000
All Executive Officers as a Group (8 persons) 630,000
All Directors who are not Executive Officers
as a Group (4 persons) 27,000
All employees other than Executive Officers 2,998,325
In addition, under the Long-Term Stock Plan, employees were granted, on a
split-adjusted basis, 38,250 stock appreciation rights and one employee was
granted a restricted stock award for 25,000 shares of Class A Stock.
COVERED EMPLOYEE RESTRICTIONS. There are special rules under the Long-Term
Stock Plan relating to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the four
other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company and such other
officers of the Company as the committee may designate ("Covered Employees").
These provisions are necessary for the Long-Term Stock Plan to comply with
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The aggregate fair market value of
any restricted stock granted to any individual Covered Employee in any fiscal
year may not exceed $2.5 million, and the aggregate fair market value of any
other
- 26 -
stock-based awards granted to any individual Covered Employee in any fiscal year
may not exceed $2.5 million. Also, no individual Covered Employee may receive
Awards in any fiscal year relating to a number of shares of Class A Stock in
excess of 2 1/2% of the number of shares of Class A Stock outstanding on June
23, 1997.
STOCK OPTIONS. Under the Long-Term Stock Plan, the Stock Plan Committee may
grant Awards in the form of non-qualified options to purchase shares of Class A
Stock. The Stock Plan Committee will, with regard to each stock option,
determine the number of shares subject to the option, the manner and period
during which the option may be exercised and the exercise price per share of
stock subject to the option (which, except in the case of Covered Employees, may
be less than the fair market value of the Class A Stock on the date of the
grant). The exercise price of stock options granted to Covered Employees must be
equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Company's Class A Stock on
the date the stock option is granted. Unless otherwise determined by the Stock
Plan Committee, stock options will become exercisable 20% per year on each of
the first five anniversaries of the grant; however, they become immediately
exercisable upon a change of control. The Stock Plan Committee has fixed the
terms of recently granted options so that they automatically and fully vest
after five years but may vest earlier, in whole or in part, based on increases
in the market value of the Class A Stock over a specified period of time. Upon
exercise, the option price may be paid in cash, shares of Class A Stock, a
combination thereof, or such other consideration as the Stock Plan Committee may
deem appropriate. Incentive stock options were at one time permitted to be
granted under the Long-Term Stock Plan; however, no additional incentive stock
options may be granted under it.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The Long-Term Stock Plan authorizes the Stock
Plan Committee to grant SARs either in tandem with a stock option or independent
of a stock option. An SAR is a right to receive a payment equal to the
difference between the fair market value of a share of Class A Stock on the date
the SAR is exercised and the SAR's reference price. A tandem SAR may be granted
either at the time of the grant of the related stock option or at any time
thereafter during the term of the stock option. Unless otherwise determined by
the Stock Plan Committee, an SAR will become exercisable 20% per year on each of
the first five anniversaries of the grant; however, they become immediately
exercisable upon a change of control. The reference price of an SAR will be
fixed by the Stock Plan Committee, but the reference price of a tandem SAR must
be no less than the exercise price of its related stock option and the reference
price of an SAR granted to a Covered Employee must equal or exceed the fair
market value of a share of Class A Stock on the date of the grant. Upon the
exercise of a stock option as to some or all of the shares covered by a tandem
SAR, the related tandem SAR will automatically expire in accordance with the
terms and conditions specified in the grant.
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS. The Long-Term Stock Plan authorizes the Stock Plan
Committee to grant Awards in the form of restricted shares of Class A Stock.
Such Awards will be subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions, and/or
limitations, if any, as the Stock Plan Committee deems appropriate, including
restrictions on transferability and continued employment. The terms and
conditions will include one or more performance criteria and performance targets
for Covered Employees if the grant is intended to comply with Section 162(m) and
may contain such criteria and targets under other circumstances and for other
participants.
OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS. The Stock Plan Committee may make other
stock-based awards under the Long-Term Stock Plan. The other stock-based awards
will be subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as the Stock Plan
Committee deems appropriate, which will include one or more performance criteria
and performance targets for Covered Employees if the grant is intended to comply
with Section 162(m) and may contain such criteria and targets under other
circumstances and for other participants.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA AND TARGETS. For each restricted stock award and other
stock-based award to Covered Employees under the Long-Term Stock Plan intended
to comply with Section 162(m), the Stock Plan Committee will establish specific
annual performance targets for performance periods of one or more years (or
partial years). The performance targets will be based on one or more of the
following business criteria: fair market value of the Class A Stock, shareholder
value added, cash flow, earnings per share, EBITDA (earnings
- 27 -
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), return on equity, return
on capital, return on assets or net assets, cost reduction or control, operating
income or net operating income, operating margins/sales in one or more business
segments or product lines, return on operating revenue, market share in one or
more business segments or product lines, or on any combination thereof.
Performance targets must be established while the performance relative to the
target remains substantially uncertain within the meaning of Section 162(m) of
the Internal Revenue Code. Concurrently with the selection of the performance
targets, the Stock Plan Committee must establish an objective formula or
standard for calculating the maximum Award granted to each Covered Employee. The
Stock Plan Committee may adjust performance targets to take into account
extraordinary items affecting the Company, as defined in the Long-Term Stock
Plan. While the Stock Plan Committee has no authority to make upward adjustments
to Awards to Covered Employees, it may in its discretion make such adjustments
with respect to Awards to other employees.
Covered Employees who are designated by the Stock Plan Committee as
participants for a given performance period shall only be entitled to receive
payments of Awards for such period to the extent that the pre-established
objective performance targets set by the Stock Plan Committee for such period
are attained. With regard to a particular performance period, the Stock Plan
Committee will have the discretion, subject to the Long-Term Stock Plan's terms,
to select the length of the performance period, the type(s) of performance
criteria to be used, the performance targets that will be used to measure
performance for the period and the performance formula that will be used to
determine what portion, if any, of the Award has been earned for the period.
Such discretion shall be exercised by the Stock Plan Committee in writing within
the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (generally,
the first 90 days of the performance period) and performance for the period will
be measured by the Stock Plan Committee following the end of the performance
period.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
A participant who receives a non-qualified stock option will not realize
income upon the grant of the option. The participant will realize ordinary
income at the time of exercise of non-qualified stock options in the amount of
the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Class
A Stock on the date of exercise multiplied by the number of shares with respect
to which the option is exercised. The Company is entitled to a deduction equal
to the amount of such income at the time such income is realized by the
participant.
With respect to stock appreciation rights, participants will not realize
any income at the time of grant. Upon exercise, any cash received and the fair
market value on the exercise date of any shares received will constitute
ordinary income to the participant. The Company will be entitled to a deduction
in the amount of such income at the time such income is realized by the
participant.
Participants who receive grants of restricted stock should not realize
income at the time of grant, assuming the restrictions constitute a substantial
risk of forfeiture for federal income tax purposes. When such restrictions
lapse, the participants will receive taxable income in an amount equal to the
then fair market value of the Class A Stock. The federal income tax consequences
of other stock-based awards will depend on the type of Award. Generally, a
participant who receives a stock-based award in the form of a right to receive
Company stock will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of
the stock when the stock is received by the participant and is no longer subject
to a substantial risk of forfeiture. In either case, the Company will be
entitled to a deduction of such amounts at the time the income is realized.
REASONS FOR APPROVAL
The Board of Directors believes that it is desirable and in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders to provide employees and directors
with incentives to maintain and enhance the Company's long-term performance. An
increase in the number of shares of Class A Stock with respect to which Awards
- 28 -
may be granted under the Long-Term Stock Plan will enable the Company to
continue to provide such incentives.
VOTE REQUIRED
Approval of Proposal No. 3 to approve the amendment to the Long-Term Stock
Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast by stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting.
With respect to this proposal, holders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock are
entitled to vote as a single class at the Meeting, with holders of Class A Stock
having one (1) vote per share and holders of Class B Stock having ten (10) votes
per share.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE
AMENDMENT OF THE LONG-TERM STOCK PLAN AND ACCORDINGLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
FOR PROPOSAL NO. 3. UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED THEREIN, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY
YOUR PROXY, IF PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED, AND NOT REVOKED, WILL BE VOTED
FOR SUCH PROPOSAL.
PROPOSAL NO. 4
--------------
SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The firm of Arthur Andersen LLP, Certified Public Accountants, served as
the independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ended February 28,
1999, and the Board of Directors has again selected Arthur Andersen LLP as the
Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending February 29, 2000.
This selection will be presented to the stockholders for their ratification at
the Meeting. If the stockholders do not approve this selection, the Board of
Directors may reconsider its choice.
A representative of Arthur Andersen LLP is expected to be present at the
Meeting. The representative will be given an opportunity to make a statement if
he or she so desires and will be available to respond to appropriate questions
concerning the audit of the Company's financial statements.
Approval of Proposal No. 4 to ratify the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP
as the Company's independent auditors requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders present in person or
represented by proxy at the Meeting. With respect to this proposal, holders of
Class A Stock and Class B Stock are entitled to vote as a single class at the
Meeting, with holders of Class A Stock having one (1) vote per share and holders
of Class B Stock having ten (10) votes per share.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE
SELECTION OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 29, 2000 AND ACCORDINGLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU
VOTE FOR PROPOSAL NO. 4. UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED THEREIN, THE SHARES
REPRESENTED BY YOUR PROXY, IF PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED, AND NOT REVOKED,
WILL BE VOTED FOR SUCH PROPOSAL.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2000 ANNUAL MEETING
In order for any stockholder proposal, submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
to be included in the Company's proxy statement to be issued in connection with
the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, such proposal must be received by the
Company no later than February 23, 2000.
- 29 -
Any notice of a proposal, submitted outside the processes of Rule 14a-8
promulgated under the Act, which a stockholder intends to bring forth at the
Company's 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, will be untimely for purposes of
Rule 14a-4 of the Act and the By-laws of the Company, if received by the Company
after February 23, 2000.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company has furnished its financial statements to stockholders in its
1999 Annual Report, which accompanies this Proxy Statement. In addition, the
Company will promptly provide, without charge to any stockholder, on the request
of such stockholder, a copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 28, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (excluding the exhibits thereto). Written requests for such copies
should be directed to Canandaigua Brands, Inc., Attention: Kristen H. Jenks,
Vice President, 300 WillowBrook Office Park, Fairport, New York 14450; telephone
number (716) 218-2169.
OTHER
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors does not
intend to present, and has not been informed that any other person intends to
present, any matter other than those specifically referred to in this Proxy
Statement. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is intended
that the holders of the proxies will act in respect thereto in accordance with
their best judgment.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ DAVID S. SORCE
DAVID S. SORCE, Secretary
Fairport, New York
June 23, 1999
APPENDIX A
----------
AMENDMENT NUMBER 6
TO THE CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
1989 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
This Amendment Number 6 to the Canandaigua Brands, Inc. 1989 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Plan") was approved pursuant to Paragraph 20 of the Plan by
the Board of Directors of Canandaigua Brands, Inc. (the "Company") and is
subject to stockholder approval. Capitalized terms used herein which are not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
1. Paragraph 6 is amended, effective December 22, 1998, by deleting the
present paragraph in its entirety and substituting in its place the
following:
6. ELIGIBILITY. Any employee of the Company or any subsidiary of the
Company who, on the Effective Date of that Offering under the
Plan, is customarily employed for more than seventeen and
one-half (17 1/2) hours per week and for more than five (5)
months per year may participate in that Offering; PROVIDED, that
(1) the employee does not own stock possessing 5% or more of the
combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the
Company, as defined for purposes of Section 423(b)(3) of the
Code, (2) the employee is not a member of the Committee, and (3)
the employee is employed by the Company or a subsidiary of the
Company that the Committee designates as being a subsidiary whose
employees are eligible to participate in the Plan.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Committee is
authorized to designate the subsidiaries of the Company whose
employees are eligible to participate in the Plan.
2. Paragraph 20 is amended, effective December 22, 1998, by deleting the
present paragraph in its entirety and substituting in its place the
following:
20. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. To the extent permitted by law, the Board
of Directors may at any time and from time to time make such
changes in the Plan and additions to it as it deems advisable;
provided, however, that except as provided in Paragraphs 18 and
19 hereof, and except with respect to changes or additions in
order to make the Plan comply with Section 423 of the Code, the
Board may not make any changes or additions which would adversely
affect subscription rights previously granted under the Plan and
may not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company,
make any changes or additions which would (a) increase the
aggregate number of shares of Class A Stock subject to the Plan
or which may be subscribed to by an employee, (b) decrease the
minimum purchase price for a share of Class A Stock, or (c)
change any of the provisions of the Plan relating to eligibility
for participation in Offerings, provided that the Committee is
authorized to designate without stockholder approval the
subsidiaries of the Company whose employees are eligible to
participate in the Plan.
3. This Amendment becomes effective December 22, 1998, subject to
stockholder approval. If stockholder approval is not obtained within
12 months of the date the Amendment was adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company, the Amendment will be retroactively
rescinded.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Canandaigua Brands, Inc. has caused this instrument to
be executed as of December 23, 1998.
--
CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
By: /s/ Richard Sands
------------------------
Richard Sands, President
APPENDIX B
----------
AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO TO THE
CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
This Amendment Number Two to the Canandaigua Brands, Inc. Long-Term Stock
Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan"), was approved pursuant to Section 19 of
the Plan by the Board of Directors of Canandaigua Brands, Inc. (the "Company"),
acting in its capacity as the Committee under the Plan, and by the stockholders
of the Company. Capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan and Annex A thereto.
The Plan is hereby amended to increase the number of shares of the
Company's Common Stock with respect to which Awards may be made under the Plan
from four million shares to seven million shares by amending the first sentence
of the first paragraph of Section 4 of the Plan to read in its entirety as
follows:
The total number of shares of the Company's Common Stock available for
Awards under the Plan in the aggregate shall not exceed seven million shares.
In witness whereof, Canandaigua Brands, Inc. has caused this instrument to
be executed as of July ___, 1999.
CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
By: ___________________________
Richard Sands, President
P R O X Y
CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
PROXY FOR CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK
The undersigned hereby appoints David S. Sorce and Thomas S. Summer, or any
one of them, proxies for the undersigned with full power of substitution to vote
all shares of CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC. (the "Company") that the undersigned
would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at
One Chase Square, Rochester, New York, on Tuesday, July 20, 1999, at 11:00 a.m.,
local time, and at any adjournments thereof (the "Meeting").
Class A Stockholders, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two
directors at the Meeting. Class B Stockholders, voting as a separate class, are
entitled to elect five directors at the Meeting. Please refer to the Proxy
Statement for details. Your Shares of Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Common
Stock appear on the back of this card. Note that Shares (if any) designated as
"EMP STK PURCHASE" refer to Shares of Class A Common Stock. PLEASE SIGN ON THE
BACK.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED BY THE
UNDERSIGNED. THIS PROXY REVOKES ANY PRIOR PROXY GIVEN BY THE UNDERSIGNED. UNLESS
AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE NOMINEES IS SPECIFICALLY WITHHELD, THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY A SIGNED PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
---
AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY A SIGNED PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4.
---
TO APPROVE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATIONS, SIMPLY SIGN ON THE
BACK. YOU NEED NOT MARK ANY BOXES.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
[SEE REVERSE SIDE]
BALLOT PLEASE MARK
YOUR VOTES AS [X]
INDICATED IN
THIS EXAMPLE
1. Election of Directors: To elect Directors as set forth in the Proxy
Statement.
CLASS A STOCKHOLDERS CLASS B STOCKHOLDERS
Thomas C. McDermott, Paul L. Smith George Bresler, James A. Locke, III,
Marvin Sands, Richard Sands, Robert
Sands
FOR BOTH [ ] WITHHELD [ ] FOR ALL [ ] WITHHELD [ ]
NOMINEES FROM BOTH NOMINEES FROM ALL
(except as NOMINEES (except as NOMINEES
noted below) noted below)
[ ] [ ]
------------------------------ -----------------------------
FOR, except vote withheld FOR, except vote withheld
from nominee identified on from nominee(s) identified on
above line. above line.
2. Proposal to approve Amendment Number 6 to the Company's 1989 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
3. Proposal to approve Amendment Number Two to the Company's Long-Term Stock
Incentive Plan.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
4. Proposal to ratify selection of Arthur Andersen LLP, Certified Public
Accountants, as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year
ending February 29, 2000.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
5. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business not known at the time of the solicitation of this Proxy as may
properly come before the Meeting or at any adjournments thereof.
[ ] MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE BELOW
The undersigned acknowledges receipt with this Proxy of a copy of the
Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement for the Company's 1999 Annual
Meeting, describing more fully the proposals set forth herein.
SIGNATURE DATE
------------------------------------ ---------------------------
SIGNATURE DATE
------------------------------------ ---------------------------
NOTE: PLEASE DATE THIS PROXY AND SIGN YOUR NAME ABOVE EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS
HEREON. EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, ETC. SHOULD SO INDICATE WHEN
SIGNING. IF THE STOCKHOLDER IS A CORPORATION OR OTHER ENTITY, THE FULL ENTITY
NAME SHOULD BE INSERTED AND THE PROXY SIGNED BY A DULY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ENTITY, INDICATING HIS OR HER TITLE OR CAPACITY.