<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ended August 31, 1994 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>0000016918
<NAME>CANANDAIGUA WINE COMPANY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1994
<CASH>                                           1,495
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  122,124
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    301,053
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               454,049
<PP&E>                                         256,017
<DEPRECIATION>                                  61,734
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 826,562
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          238,225
<BONDS>                                        289,122
<COMMON>                                           178
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     204,015
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   826,562
<SALES>                                        629,584
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               629,584
<CGS>                                          447,211
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  447,211
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,367
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,924
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,191
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,733
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,733
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.74