<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27.1
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's February 28, 1999 Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000016918
<NAME> CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<CASH>                                          27,645
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  260,433
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    508,571
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               855,739
<PP&E>                                         565,580
<DEPRECIATION>                                 136,777
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,793,776
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          415,272
<BONDS>                                        831,689
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           218
<OTHER-SE>                                     435,054
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,793,776
<SALES>                                      1,497,343
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,497,343
<CGS>                                        1,049,309
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,049,309
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,462
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                104,430
<INCOME-TAX>                                    42,521
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             61,909
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 11,437
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    50,472
<EPS-BASIC>                                     2.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.69