EX-2.9
Published on January 9, 2008
Exhibit
      2.9
    ASSIGNMENT
        AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
      RELATING
        TO STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
      This
        Assignment and Assumption Agreement Relating to Stock
        Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of
        the 29th day of November, 2007 (“Effective Date”) by and
        between Constellation Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation
        (“CBI”) and Constellation Wines U.S., Inc., a New York
        corporation (“CWUS”) with respect to that certain Stock
        Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated as of
        November 9, 2007, by and between CBI and Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., a
        Delaware corporation (“Beam”).  This Agreement is
        being executed pursuant to Section 11.4 of the Purchase
        Agreement.
      For
        valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
        hereby acknowledged, CBI and CWUS agree as follows:
      CBI
        hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to CWUS, effective as of
        the Effective Date, all of CBI’s right, title, and interest in and to the
        Purchase Agreement.
      Effective
        as of the Effective Date, CWUS hereby assumes and agrees to
        observe and perform all of the obligations and duties of CBI under the Purchase
        Agreement.
      This
        Assignment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
        the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws
        principles.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of separate
        counterparts, each of which shall collectively and separately constitute
        one
        agreement.
      [SIGNATURE
        PAGE FOLLOWS]
      
IN
        WITNESS WHEREOF,
        CBI and CWUS have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of
        the
        Effective Date.
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                   CONSTELLATION
                    BRANDS, INC. 
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                   By: 
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                   /s/
                    F. Paul
                    Hetterich        
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                   Name: 
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                   F.
                    Paul Hetterich 
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                   Title: 
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                   Executive
                    Vice President,  
                  Business
                    Development 
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                   CONSTELLATION
                    WINES U.S., INC. 
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                   By: 
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                   /s/
                    Ronald C.
                    Fondiller       
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                   Name: 
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                   Ronald
                    C. Fondiller 
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                   Title: 
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                   Senior
                    Vice
                    President 
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