Constellation hands Nelson's Green Brier back to its founding brothers

Constellation Brands has sold Nelson's Green Brier Distillery back to brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson, whose great-great-great-grandfather Charles Nelson founded the original Green Brier Distillery in the 1800s. The deal returns full ownership of the Nashville whiskey maker to its founding family and ends a decade of Constellation involvement.

Constellation first bought a minority stake in 2016 through its venture capital arm. It raised that to a majority holding in 2019 and took full ownership in 2024. It has now unwound the whole position, ten years after the first investment.

What Constellation disclosed about the sale

Constellation had already flagged the divestment in its second-quarter results. There it booked impairments on assets held for sale, tied to management's plan to sell the Nelson's Green Brier business. It has not published the price paid by the brothers.

Total asset impairment and related expenses came to US$49.8 million for the quarter. That figure also covers the sale of Constellation's New Zealand wine brands, so the charge is not attributable to the whiskey business alone.

Constellation has not yet commented on the buyback itself. The company's only stated position so far is the impairment disclosure in its quarterly results, and no separate announcement of the terms has been issued.

Staff are protected through the handover. Every existing employee stays on, and the distillery's restaurant, bar, tours and events carry on as before, so visitors to the Nashville site should notice no change in what is offered.

The Nelson family and Green Brier's history

Their great-great-great-grandfather, Charles Nelson, founded the original Green Brier Distillery in the 1800s. It became Tennessee's largest distillery before Prohibition, a position it held until the state's ban forced it to close in 1909.

Andy and Charlie revived the distillery in 2014. They began producing Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey using the original pre-Prohibition recipe, bringing a name that had been silent for over a century back onto Nashville shelves.

Charlie left the business in 2023. Andy followed in 2024, when Constellation took full ownership, and was succeeded as head distiller by Brandon O'Daniel. The brothers have therefore been outside the distillery for the last stretch of Constellation's ownership.

In 2024 they bought the rights to Belle Meade Bourbon and Louisa's Liqueur, both previously part of the distillery's portfolio. They run those brands through their own company, Belle Meade Spirits, which remains separate from Green Brier.

What the brothers say comes next

Andy said the family business goes back to the 1800s, and that holding full ownership of the brand once more is extraordinarily meaningful. He added that a transition period will follow while the brothers decide next steps for the brand, its products and the distillery.

Andy said the brothers intend to return to making premium spirits in their own hometown. No timetable, product plan or change to O'Daniel's role has been given, and the future of the portfolio is described as undecided.

Charlie placed the deal against Nashville's growth, saying more outside companies keep choosing the city for expansion. He said it is fun to operate Green Brier again as a locally owned family business.

He added that the city has given the family a great deal. In his words the buyback is a chance to give back by continuing to invest in the community they call home.

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Image: Constellation Brands