EXHIBIT 99.1
                                  ------------

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 18 U.S.C. 1350
                 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)


In  connection with the Constellation Brands, Inc. quarterly report on Form 10-Q
for the Fiscal Quarter Ended August 31, 2002, I, Richard Sands, certify that, to
the  best  of  my  knowledge:

1.     The quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended August 31,
2002  of  Constellation  Brands,  Inc.  fully  complies with the requirements of
section  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or
78o(d));  and

2.     The  information  contained  in the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
Fiscal  Quarter  Ended  August  31,  2002  of  Constellation Brands, Inc. fairly
presents,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial condition and results of
operations  of  Constellation  Brands,  Inc.



Dated:  October 15, 2002               /s/ Richard Sands
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Richard Sands,
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer