Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

v3.21.1
Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Purchase commitments and contingencies
We have entered into various long-term contracts in the normal course of business for the purchase of (i) certain inventory components, (ii) transportation, marketing, and warehousing services, (iii) IT contracts, (iv) certain energy requirements, and (v) property, plant, and equipment and related contractor and manufacturing services. As of February 28, 2021, the estimated aggregate minimum purchase commitments under these contracts are as follows:
Type Length of Commitment Amount
(in millions)
Raw materials and supplies (1)
Packaging, grapes, malts, corn, and hops through December 2037 $ 4,063.8 
Contract services Transportation, marketing, and warehousing services, and IT and energy contracts through December 2030 816.5 
Capital expenditures (2)
Property, plant, and equipment and contractor and manufacturing services through January 2024 243.7 
In-process inventories Bulk wine and spirits through April 2025 75.3 
Other Finished wine case goods through May 2029 26.4 
$ 5,225.7 
(1)Certain grape purchasing arrangements include the purchase of grape production yielded from specified blocks of a vineyard. The actual tonnage and price of grapes that we purchase will vary each year depending on certain factors, including weather, time of harvest, overall market conditions, and the agricultural practices and location of the vineyard. Amounts included herein for the estimated aggregate minimum grape purchase commitments consist of estimates for the purchase of the grapes and the implicit leases of the land. Certain grape purchasing arrangements classified as leases have not resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on our balance sheet due to their variable nature.
(2)Consists of purchase commitments entered into primarily in connection with the expansion project for the Obregon Brewery.

Additionally, we have entered into various contractual arrangements with affiliates of Owens-Illinois primarily for the purchase of glass bottles used largely in our imported and craft beer portfolios. Amounts purchased under these arrangements for the years ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020, and February 28, 2019, were $154.7 million, $166.6 million, and $238.8 million, respectively.

Indemnification liabilities
In connection with prior divestitures, we have indemnified respective parties against certain liabilities that may arise subsequent to the divestiture. As of February 28, 2021, and February 29, 2020, these liabilities consist primarily of indemnifications related to certain lease contracts and income tax matters. During the year ended February 28, 2019, in connection with the sale of the Accolade Wine Investment, we were released from certain guarantees and we recognized a gain of $3.7 million as part of the net gain on the sale of this business. This net gain is included in income (loss) from unconsolidated investments within our consolidated results of operations. As of February 28, 2021, and February 29, 2020, the carrying amount of our indemnification liabilities was $17.0 million and $9.1 million, respectively, and is included in deferred income taxes and other liabilities. We do not expect to be required to make material payments under the indemnifications and we believe that the likelihood is remote that the indemnifications could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.

Legal matters
In the ordinary course of our business, we are subject to lawsuits, arbitration, claims, and other legal proceedings in connection with our business. Some of the legal actions include claims for substantial or unspecified compensatory and/or punitive damages and/or injunctive relief. A substantial adverse judgment or other unfavorable resolution of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Management believes that we have adequate legal defenses with respect to
the legal proceedings to which it is a defendant or respondent and that the outcome of these pending proceedings is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. However, we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters.

Regulatory matters
We are in discussions with various governmental agencies concerning matters raised during regulatory examinations or otherwise subject to such agencies’ inquiry. These matters could result in censures, fines, or other sanctions. Management believes the outcome of any pending regulatory matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. However, we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters.

2020 U.S. wildfires
In August 2020, significant wildfires broke out in California, Oregon, and Washington states which affected the U.S. grape harvest. None of our facilities were damaged. At this time, we continue to expect no material impact to our ability to meet customer demand. Most of our annual grape requirements are satisfied by supply contracts from independent growers which, in many cases, allow for us to reject grapes that do not meet required quality specifications, including from smoke damage. We continue to assess when to use our rights under law and our supply contracts to reject grapes that are damaged from wildfires. For the year ended February 28, 2021, we recognized a $78.6 million loss in connection with the write-down of bulk wine inventory and certain grapes as a result of smoke damage sustained during the 2020 U.S. wildfires. This loss was included in cost of product sold within our consolidated results of operations. We have insurance coverage that partially covers losses for grapes in our own vineyards. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 we determined a loss recovery from our insurance carriers was realizable and recognized $8.2 million in cost of product sold within our consolidated results of operations. While we are continuing to pursue reimbursement, there can be no assurance there will be any additional recoveries. We test the grapes acquired under our supply contracts for smoke damage and other issues prior to accepting them. Additionally, for the year ended February 28, 2021, we recognized $28.6 million in unfavorable fixed cost absorption from decreased production levels at certain facilities as period costs in cost of product sold within our consolidated results of operations in the Wine and Spirits segment rather than capitalized in inventories.