Exhibit  16.1
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                                                            ANDERSEN


April 8, 2002                                               Arthur  Andersen LLP

Office of the Chief Accountant                              Suite  1500
Securities and Exchange Commission                          100 Chestnut Street
450 Fifth Street, N.W.                                      Rochester, NY  14604
Washington, D.C. 20549
                                                            Tel  716 399 2800
Dear Sir/Madam:                                             www.andersen.com

We  have read the first five paragraphs of Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated
April  4,  2002 of Constellation Brands, Inc. (the Company) to be filed with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  and  are in agreement with the statements
contained  therein,  with  the exception of the reference to the approval by the
Company's Board of Directors and its Audit Committee's recommendation to appoint
KPMG  LLP  as  the Company's independent public accountants, of which we have no
knowledge.

Very  truly  yours,

/s/  Arthur  Andersen  LLP

Copy  to:  Mr.  Thomas  S.  Summer
           Executive  Vice  President  and
           Chief  Financial  Officer
           Constellation  Brands,  Inc.
           300  WillowBrook  Office  Park
           Fairport,  New  York  14450