EXHIBIT 23.1
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                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors
Canandaigua Brands, Inc.:


We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in the  registration  statements
(Nos.  33-26694 and 33-56557) on Form S-8 and (Nos.  333-40571 and 333-67037) on
Form S-3 of  Canandaigua  Brands,  Inc. of our report dated June 24, 1999,  with
respect to the statement of assets and liabilities  related to the product lines
sold to Canandaigua  Brands,  Inc. as of April 9, 1999 and the related statement
of identified  income and expenses for the year ended  December 31, 1998,  which
report  appears in the Form 8-K/A of  Canandaigua  Brands,  Inc.  dated April 9,
1999.


/s/ KPMG LLP

Stamford, Connecticut
June 25, 1999