CANANDAIGUA BRANDS INC
DEF 14A, 2000-06-21
BEVERAGES
Previous: HAWKS INDUSTRIES INC, DEF 14A, 2000-06-21
Next: CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT CO, 8-K, 2000-06-21



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:

[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ]  Confidential,  for Use of the  Commission  Only  (as  permitted  by Rule
     14a-6(e)(2))
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12


                            CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
                ------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X]  No fee required.

[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
          pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
          filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     (5)  Total fee paid:

          ---------------------------------------------------------------------

[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[ ]  Check box  if any part of the fee is offset  as provided  by  Exchange  Act
     Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the  offsetting fee was
     paid  previously.  Identify the previous filing by  registration  statement
     number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

     (1)  Amount Previously Paid:
                                  ---------------------------------------------
     (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
                                                        -----------------------
     (3)  Filing Party:
                        -------------------------------------------------------
     (4)  Date Filed:
                      ---------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                   [CBI LOGO]
                            CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
                          Fine Wines, Spirits & Beers


                         ------------------------------
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                         ------------------------------


                                                                    June 7, 2000

TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:

     You are cordially  invited to attend the Annual Meeting of  Stockholders of
Canandaigua Brands, Inc. at One Chase Square,  Rochester,  New York, on Tuesday,
July 18, 2000 at 11:00 a.m.

     The  accompanying  Notice  of  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  and Proxy
Statement  describe  in detail  the  matters  expected  to be acted  upon at the
meeting.  Also  contained in this package is the Company's 2000 Annual Report to
Stockholders,  which  consists of the Company's  2000 glossy report and its Form
10-K for the  fiscal  year ended  February  29,  2000 that sets forth  important
business and financial information concerning the Company.

     We hope you are able to attend this year's Annual Meeting.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             /s/ Richard Sands

                                             RICHARD SANDS
                                             Chairman of the Board, President
                                             and Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE>




                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]





<PAGE>
                            CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
                           300 Willowbrook Office Park
                            Fairport, New York 14450


                    ----------------------------------------
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                            TO BE HELD JULY 18, 2000
                    ----------------------------------------


     NOTICE  IS  HEREBY  GIVEN  that  the  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  of
CANANDAIGUA  BRANDS,  INC.  the  ("Company")  will be held at One Chase  Square,
Rochester,  New York, on Tuesday,  July 18, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. for the following
purposes more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement:

     1.  To elect directors of the Company (Proposal No. 1).

     2.   To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the  selection of Arthur
          Andersen  LLP,   Certified  Public   Accountants,   as  the  Company's
          independent  auditors  for the fiscal  year ending  February  28, 2001
          (Proposal No. 2).

     3.   To  transact  such other  business  as may  properly  come  before the
          Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

     The Board of  Directors  has fixed the close of business on May 31, 2000 as
the record date for the determination of stockholders  entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

     A Proxy Statement and proxy are enclosed.

     WE HOPE YOU WILL ATTEND THIS MEETING IN PERSON,  BUT IF YOU CANNOT,  PLEASE
SIGN AND DATE THE  ENCLOSED  PROXY.  RETURN THE PROXY IN THE  ENCLOSED  ENVELOPE
WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.

                                             BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                             /s/ David S. Sorce

                                             DAVID S. SORCE, Secretary

Fairport, New York
June 7, 2000

<PAGE>




                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]





<PAGE>
                            CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
                           300 Willowbrook Office Park
                            Fairport, New York 14450


                                 ---------------
                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                 ---------------

                       2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


     This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the  stockholders of CANANDAIGUA
BRANDS,  INC. (the "Company") in connection with the  solicitation of proxies by
the Board of  Directors  of the  Company.  The  proxies  are for use at the 2000
Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  of the Company and at any  adjournment  thereof
(the  "Meeting").  The Meeting  will be held on Tuesday,  July 18, 2000 at 11:00
a.m. at One Chase Square, Rochester, New York.

     The shares represented by your proxy, if the proxy is properly executed and
returned,  and not revoked,  will be voted at the Meeting as therein  specified.
You may  revoke  your  proxy at any  time  before  the  proxy  is  exercised  by
delivering  to the  Secretary  of the  Company  a written  revocation  or a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date. You may also revoke your proxy by attending
the Meeting and voting in person.

     The shares  represented by your proxy will be voted FOR the election of the
director  nominees  named  herein  (Proposal  No. 1),  unless  you  specifically
withhold  authority to vote for one or more of the director  nominees.  Further,
unless you  indicate  otherwise,  the shares  represented  by your proxy will be
voted  FOR the  ratification  of the  selection  of Arthur  Andersen  LLP as the
Company's  independent  auditors  for the fiscal year ending  February  28, 2001
(Proposal No. 2).

     The  outstanding  capital  stock of the Company  consists of Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock.  The enclosed proxy has been designed so that it
can be used by stockholders  owning Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock
or both Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

     The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to
the solicitation by use of the mails,  directors,  officers or regular employees
of the Company, without extra compensation,  may solicit proxies in person or by
telephone or  facsimile.  The Company has  requested  persons  holding stock for
others in their names or in the names of nominees to forward these  materials to
the beneficial owners of such shares.  If requested,  the Company will reimburse
such persons for their reasonable expenses in forwarding these materials.

     This Proxy Statement and the  accompanying  proxy are being first mailed to
stockholders on or about June 20, 2000.

<PAGE>
                                      - 2 -

                                VOTING SECURITIES

     The total  outstanding  capital  stock of the Company,  as of May 31, 2000,
consisted of 15,173,001 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Class A Stock"),  and 3,092,272  shares of Class B Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share (the "Class B Stock"). Each share of Class B Stock is convertible
into one share of Class A Stock at any time at the option of the holder.

     Only  holders  of record of Class A Stock and Class B Stock on the books of
the  Company at the close of  business  on May 31,  2000,  the  record  date for
eligibility to vote at the Meeting, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Meeting and at any adjournment thereof. Except as otherwise required by Delaware
law,  the holders of the Class A Stock and the holders of the Class B Stock vote
together as a single class on all matters  other than the election of directors.
Each holder of Class A Stock is entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Class
A Stock  registered  in his or her  name,  and each  holder  of Class B Stock is
entitled to ten (10) votes for each share of Class B Stock  registered in his or
her name.

     The holders of a majority of the outstanding  aggregate voting power of the
Class A Stock  and the Class B Stock  present  at the  Meeting,  in person or by
proxy,  will  constitute  a quorum.  Shares  represented  by  proxies  marked as
abstentions will be counted toward determining the presence of a quorum. Proxies
relating to shares held in "street name" by brokers or other  nominees which may
be voted with respect to some, but not all, matters without instruction from the
beneficial  owner  ("broker  non-votes")  are  counted  as  shares  present  for
determining a quorum.

     Under Delaware law and the Company's Restated  Certificate of Incorporation
and By-laws, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast (the highest
number of votes cast) by the holders of the shares entitled to vote and actually
voting, in person or by proxy. Pursuant to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, the holders of the Class A Stock, voting as a separate class, are
entitled to elect  one-fourth  of the number of  directors  to be elected at the
Meeting  (rounded up to the next number if the total  number of  directors to be
elected  is not evenly  divisible  by four).  The  holders of the Class B Stock,
voting as a  separate  class,  are  entitled  to elect the  remaining  number of
directors to be elected at the Meeting.  The Board of Directors,  after reducing
its size to seven directors,  nominated seven directors.  Therefore, the holders
of Class A Stock will be  entitled  to elect two  directors  and the  holders of
Class B Stock will be entitled to elect five  directors.  Because the  directors
are elected by a plurality  of the votes cast in each  election,  votes that are
withheld will not be counted and  therefore,  will not affect the outcome of the
elections.

     The  ratification  of the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
independent  auditors  (Proposal  No.  2)  requires  the  affirmative  vote of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast by  stockholders  present in person or
represented by proxy at the Meeting.  With respect to this proposal,  holders of
Class A Stock and Class B Stock are  entitled  to vote as a single  class at the
Meeting, with holders of Class A Stock having one (1) vote per share and holders
of Class B Stock having ten (10) votes per share.  Therefore,  abstentions  will
have the effect of negative  votes.  However,  because broker  non-votes are not
considered entitled to vote, they will not affect the outcome of the vote.

<PAGE>
                                      - 3 -

                              BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

     As of May 31,  2000,  the  following  tables  and  notes  set forth (i) the
persons  known to the  Company to  beneficially  own more than 5% of the Class A
Stock or Class B Stock,  (ii) the number of shares  beneficially  owned by them,
and (iii) the percent of such class so owned,  rounded to the nearest  one-tenth
of one  percent.  This  information  is based on  information  furnished  to the
Company by or on behalf of each person  concerned.  Unless  otherwise noted, the
percentages  of ownership were  calculated on the basis of 15,173,001  shares of
Class A Stock and 3,092,272 shares of Class B Stock  outstanding as of the close
of business on May 31, 2000.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         CLASS A STOCK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1)
                                    ----------------------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF                  SOLE POWER TO    SHARED POWER TO                PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER                    VOTE OR DISPOSE   VOTE OR DISPOSE      TOTAL      CLASS(1)
----------------                    ---------------   ---------------    ---------   ----------
<S>                                   <C>              <C>               <C>           <C>
Marilyn Sands
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                789,053 (2)         91,101 (3)       880,154      5.8 %

Robert Sands
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                341,152 (4)        400,052 (4)       741,204      4.9 %

Richard Sands
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                327,145 (5)        400,052 (5)       727,197      4.8 %

CWC Partnership-I
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                   -               383,046 (6)       383,046      2.5 %

Trust for the benefit of
Andrew Stern, M.D. under
the will of Laurie Sands
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                   -               383,046 (7)       383,046      2.5 %

Stockholders Group Pursuant
to Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (8)                  -             1,067,349 (8)     1,068,349      7.0 %

FMR Corp.
    82 Devonshire Street
    Boston, MA  02109 (9)                     (9)                (9)     2,216,790     14.6 %


<PAGE>
                                      - 4 -
<CAPTION>
                                         CLASS B STOCK
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1)
                                    ----------------------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF                  SOLE POWER TO    SHARED POWER TO                PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER                    VOTE OR DISPOSE   VOTE OR DISPOSE      TOTAL      CLASS (1)
----------------                    ---------------   ---------------    ---------   ----------
<S>                                     <C>             <C>              <C>           <C>
Richard Sands
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                  738,529         1,357,518 (5)    2,096,047     67.8 %

Robert Sands
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                  737,824         1,357,518 (4)    2,095,342     67.8 %

Trust for the benefit of
Andrew Stern, M.D. under
the will of Laurie Sands
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                     -              832,839 (7)      832,839     26.9 %

CWC Partnership-I
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                     -              762,385 (6)      762,385     24.7 %

Trust for the benefit of the
Grandchildren of Marvin and
Marilyn Sands
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                     -              506,250(10)      506,250     16.4 %

Marilyn Sands
   300 WillowBrook Office Park
   Fairport, NY  14450                    4,500           101,850 (3)      106,350      3.4 %

Stockholders Group Pursuant
to Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (8)                       -            2,833,871 (8)    2,833,871     91.6 %

-----------------------------
<FN>
(1)  The number of shares and the percentage of ownership set forth in the Class
     A Stock  table  includes  the number of shares of Class A Stock that can be
     purchased by exercising  stock options that are exercisable on May 31, 2000
     or become exercisable within 60 days thereafter ("presently  exercisable"),
     but does not include the shares of Class A Stock  issuable  pursuant to the
     conversion  feature of the Class B Stock beneficially owned by each person.
     The number of shares and  percentage  of ownership  assuming  conversion of
     Class B Stock  into  Class A Stock  are  contained  in the  footnotes.  For
     purposes of calculating the percentage of ownership of Class A Stock in the
     footnotes, additional shares of Class A Stock equal to the number of shares
     of  Class B Stock  owned  by each  person  are  assumed  to be  outstanding
     pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1)  under the Securities  Exchange Act. Where the
     footnotes  reflect shares of Class A Stock as being  included,  such shares
     are  included  only in the Class A Stock  table  and  where  the  footnotes
     reflect shares of Class B Stock as being included, such shares are included
     only in the Class B Stock table.

(2)  With  respect to  787,501  shares of the  789,053  shares of Class A Stock,
     Marilyn Sands is the  beneficial  owner of a life estate which includes the
     right to  receive  income  from and the power to vote and  dispose  of such
     shares.  The  remainder  interest in such shares is held by Richard  Sands,
     Robert  Sands  and  CWC  Partnership-II,  a New  York  general  partnership
     ("CWCP-II").

<PAGE>
                                      - 5 -

(3)  The amounts  reflected  include,  as  applicable,  12,631 shares of Class A
     Stock owned by the Mac and Sally Sands Foundation, Incorporated, a Virginia
     corporation (the "Sands Foundation"), of which Marilyn Sands is a director,
     18,429  shares of Class B Stock owned by the Marvin Sands Master Trust (the
     "Master Trust"), of which Ms. Sands is a trustee,  74,095 shares of Class A
     Stock and  83,421  shares  of Class B Stock  owned by  M,L,R&R,  a New York
     general  partnership  ("MLR&R"),  of which  the  Master  Trust is a general
     partner,  and 4,375 shares of Class A Stock  issuable  upon the exercise of
     presently  exercisable  options held by the Estate of Marvin Sands ("Marvin
     Sands'  Estate"),  of which Ms. Sands is an executrix.  Ms. Sands disclaims
     beneficial  ownership  with  respect  to all  shares  owned  by  the  Sands
     Foundation and with respect to all of the other foregoing  shares except to
     the extent of her beneficial interest in the Master Trust and Marvin Sands'
     Estate.  Assuming the conversion of Class B Stock beneficially owned by Ms.
     Sands into Class A Stock,  Ms. Sands would  beneficially own 986,504 shares
     of Class A Stock,  representing 6.5% of the outstanding Class A Stock after
     such conversion.

(4)  The amount reflected as shares of Class A Stock over which Robert Sands has
     the sole power to vote or dispose  includes  21,175 shares of Class A Stock
     issuable upon the exercise of options which are  presently  exercisable  by
     Mr.  Sands.  The amounts  reflected  as shares over which Mr.  Sands shares
     power to vote or dispose include, as applicable,  308,951 shares of Class A
     Stock and 678,964 shares of Class B Stock owned by CWC Partnership-I, a New
     York general  partnership  ("CWCP-I"),  of which Robert Sands is a managing
     partner,  18,429 shares of Class B Stock owned by the Master Trust of which
     Robert Sands is a trustee and  beneficiary,  74,095 shares of Class A Stock
     and 83,421  shares of Class B Stock owned by MLR&R,  of which Mr. Sands and
     the Master Trust are general partners, 70,454 shares of Class B Stock owned
     by  CWCP-II,  of which Mr.  Sands is a  trustee  of the  managing  partner,
     506,250  shares of Class B Stock owned by the trust  described  in footnote
     (10) below,  12,631 shares of Class A Stock owned by the Sands  Foundation,
     of which Mr. Sands is a director  and officer,  and 4,375 shares of Class A
     Stock issuable upon the exercise of presently  exercisable  options held by
     Marvin  Sands'  Estate,  of which Robert  Sands is an  executor.  Mr. Sands
     disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the foregoing shares except to the
     extent of his  ownership  interest  in CWCP-I and MLR&R and his  beneficial
     interest  in the  Master  Trust  and  Marvin  Sands'  Estate.  The  amounts
     reflected do not include 22,940 shares of Class A Stock owned by Mr. Sands'
     wife, individually and as custodian for their minor children, the remainder
     interest  Mr.  Sands has in 259,849 of the 787,501  shares of Class A Stock
     subject to the life estate held by Marilyn Sands  described in footnote (2)
     above or the remainder  interest of CWCP-II in 265,151 of such shares.  Mr.
     Sands  disclaims  beneficial  ownership  with  respect to all such  shares.
     Assuming the  conversion of Class B Stock  beneficially  owned by Mr. Sands
     into Class A Stock,  Mr. Sands would  beneficially  own 2,836,546 shares of
     Class A Stock,  representing  16.4% of the outstanding  Class A Stock after
     such conversion.

(5)  The amount  reflected as shares of Class A Stock over which  Richard  Sands
     has the sole power to vote or  dispose  includes  16,300  shares of Class A
     Stock issuable upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable
     by Mr. Sands.  The amounts  reflected as shares over which Mr. Sands shares
     power to vote or dispose include, as applicable,  308,951 shares of Class A
     Stock and 678,964 shares of Class B Stock owned by CWCP-I, of which Richard
     Sands is a managing  partner,  18,429  shares of Class B Stock owned by the
     Master  Trust,  of which Mr.  Sands is a trustee  and  beneficiary,  74,095
     shares of Class A Stock and 83,421  shares of Class B Stock owned by MLR&R,
     of which Mr. Sands and the Master Trust are general partners, 70,454 shares
     of Class B Stock owned by CWCP-II,  of which Mr.  Sands is a trustee of the
     managing  partner,  506,250  shares  of Class B Stock  owned  by the  trust
     described in footnote  (10) below,  12,631 shares of Class A Stock owned by
     the Sands  Foundation,  of which Mr. Sands is a director  and officer,  and
     4,375  shares of Class A Stock  issuable  upon the  exercise  of  presently
     exercisable options held by Marvin Sands' Estate, of which Richard Sands is
     an  executor.  Mr.  Sands  disclaims  beneficial  ownership  of  all of the
     foregoing  shares except to the extent of his ownership  interest in CWCP-I
     and MLR&R and his beneficial interest in the Master Trust and Marvin Sands'
     Estate.  The amounts reflected do not include 1,965 shares of Class A Stock
     owned by Mr. Sands' wife,  the remainder  interest Mr. Sands has in 262,501
     of the 787,501  shares of Class A Stock  subject to the life estate held by
     Marilyn Sands described in footnote (2) above or the remainder  interest of
     CWCP-II in 265,151 of such shares. Mr. Sands disclaims beneficial ownership
     with respect to all such shares.  Assuming the  conversion of Class B Stock
     beneficially  owned by Mr.  Sands  into  Class A

<PAGE>
                                      - 6 -

     Stock, Mr. Sands would  beneficially own 2,823,244 shares of Class A Stock,
     representing 16.3% of the outstanding Class A Stock after such conversion.

(6)  The amounts  reflected  include,  as  applicable,  74,095 shares of Class A
     Stock and 83,421 shares of Class B Stock owned by MLR&R, of which CWCP-I is
     a general partner. The shares owned by CWCP-I are included in the number of
     shares  beneficially  owned by Richard Sands and Robert Sands, the managing
     partners of CWCP-I,  the Marital Trust  (defined in footnote (7) below),  a
     partner  of  CWCP-I  which  owns a  majority  in  interest  of  the  CWCP-I
     partnership  interests,  and the group described in footnote (8) below. The
     other  partners  of CWCP-I  are trusts  for the  benefit  of Laurie  Sands'
     children.  Assuming the conversion of Class B Stock  beneficially  owned by
     CWCP-I into Class A Stock,  CWCP-I would  beneficially own 1,145,431 shares
     of Class A Stock,  representing 7.2% of the outstanding Class A Stock after
     such conversion.

(7)  The amounts  reflected  include,  as applicable,  308,951 shares of Class A
     Stock and  678,964  shares of Class B Stock  owned by CWCP-I,  in which the
     Trust for the benefit of Andrew Stern,  M.D. under the will of Laurie Sands
     (the  "Marital  Trust") is a partner and owns a majority in interest of the
     CWCP-I  partnership  interests,  70,454  shares  of Class B Stock  owned by
     CWCP-II,  in which the  Marital  Trust is a partner  and owns a majority in
     interest of the CWCP-II partnership interests, and 74,095 shares of Class A
     Stock and 83,421 shares of Class B Stock owned by MLR&R, of which CWCP-I is
     a general partner.  The Marital Trust disclaims  beneficial  ownership with
     respect  to  all of the  foregoing  shares  except  to  the  extent  of its
     ownership  interest in CWCP-I and  CWCP-II.  The amounts  reflected  do not
     include the remainder interest CWCP-II has in 265,151 of the 787,501 shares
     of Class A Stock subject to the life estate held by Marilyn Sands described
     in footnote (2) above.  The Marital Trust  disclaims  beneficial  ownership
     with  respect  to all such  shares  except to the  extent of its  ownership
     interest in CWCP-II.  Assuming the conversion of Class B Stock beneficially
     owned by the  Marital  Trust into Class A Stock,  the  Marital  Trust would
     beneficially  own 1,215,885 shares of Class A Stock,  representing  7.6% of
     the outstanding Class A Stock after such conversion.

(8)  The group as reported  consists of Richard  Sands,  Robert  Sands,  CWCP-I,
     CWCP-II,  and the trust  described  in  footnote  (10)  (collectively,  the
     "Group"). The basis for the Group consists of: (i) a Stockholders Agreement
     among  Richard  Sands,  Robert  Sands and CWCP-I and (ii) the fact that the
     familial relationship between Richard Sands and Robert Sands, their actions
     in working together in the conduct of the business of the Company and their
     capacity as partners and trustees of the other  members of the Group may be
     deemed to  constitute  an agreement to "act in concert" with respect to the
     Company's  shares.  The members of the Group  disclaim that an agreement to
     act in concert  exists.  Except with  respect to the shares  subject to the
     Stockholders  Agreement,  the shares  owned by CWCP-I and  CWCP-II  and the
     shares held by the trust described in footnote (10) below, no member of the
     Group is  required  to  consult  with any other  member  of the Group  with
     respect to the voting or disposition of any shares of the Company. Assuming
     the conversion of Class B Stock  beneficially owned by the Group into Class
     A Stock,  the Group  would  beneficially  own  3,902,220  shares of Class A
     Stock,  representing  21.6% of the  outstanding  Class A Stock  after  such
     conversion.

(9)  The number of shares equals the number of shares of Class A Stock  reported
     to be  beneficially  owned by each of FMR Corp.,  Edward C.  Johnson 3d and
     Abigail P. Johnson (collectively, "FMR") in its Schedule 13G (Amendment No.
     1)  dated  February  14,  2000  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
     Commission.   The  percentage  of  ownership  reflected  in  the  table  is
     calculated on the basis of 15,173,001  shares of Class A Stock  outstanding
     on May 31, 2000.  The Schedule 13G indicates  that of the 2,216,790  shares
     beneficially owned by FMR, FMR, through its control of Fidelity  Management
     Trust  Company,  has sole voting power with  respect to 135,800  shares and
     through  its  control of  Fidelity  Management  and  Research  Company  and
     Fidelity Management Trust Company,  has sole dispositive power with respect
     to 2,216,790 shares. For further  information  pertaining to FMR, reference
     should be made to FMR's Schedule 13G and Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with
     the Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  With respect to the  information
     contained herein pertaining to shares of Class A Stock  beneficially  owned
     by FMR, the Company has relied solely on the information  reported in FMR's
     Schedule 13G  (Amendment  No. 1) and has not  independently  verified FMR's
     beneficial ownership as of May 31, 2000.

<PAGE>
                                      - 7 -

(10) The trust was  created by Marvin  Sands  under the terms of an  Irrevocable
     Trust Agreement dated November 18, 1987 (the "Trust"). The Trust is for the
     benefit of the  present  and  future  grandchildren  of Marvin and  Marilyn
     Sands.  The  Co-Trustees  of the Trust are Richard  Sands and Robert Sands.
     Unanimity  of the  Co-Trustees  is  required  with  respect  to voting  and
     disposing of the Class B Stock owned by the Trust.  The shares owned by the
     trust are  included in the number of shares  beneficially  owned by Richard
     Sands, Robert Sands and the Group. Assuming the conversion of Class B Stock
     beneficially  owned by the  Trust  into  Class A  Stock,  the  Trust  would
     beneficially own 506,250 shares of Class A Stock,  representing 3.2% of the
     outstanding Class A Stock after such conversion.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

SUMMARY COMPENSATION

     The following table summarizes the annual and long-term  compensation  paid
to the  Company's  Chief  Executive  Officer  and the  other  four  most  highly
compensated  executive officers at the end of the fiscal year ended February 29,
2000 (collectively,  the "Named  Executives").  The table is designed to provide
stockholders  with a  concise,  comprehensive  view of the  Company's  executive
compensation.  It therefore  includes all aspects of  compensation  for services
rendered to the Company  during the fiscal years ended  February  29, 2000,  and
February 28, 1999 and 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                      LONG-TERM
                                                                                     COMPENSATION
                                                     ANNUAL COMPENSATION               AWARDS(3)
                                            --------------------------------------   ------------
                                                                          OTHER       SECURITIES
                                                                         ANNUAL       UNDERLYING      ALL OTHER
                                                                         COMPEN-       OPTIONS/        COMPEN-
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION (1)     YEAR      SALARY        BONUS       SATION(2)     SARs(#)(4)      SATION(5)
-------------------------------     ----    ---------     ---------    -----------   ------------     ---------

<S>                                 <C>     <C>           <C>          <C>              <C>           <C>
Richard Sands,                      2000    $ 545,782     $ 491,204        -            16,400        $  51,191
   Chairman of the Board,           1999      487,537       438,601        -            16,600           42,592
   President and Chief Executive    1998      469,480       492,954        -            17,200           42,510
   Officer

Robert Sands,                       2000    $ 530,241     $ 477,217    $ 87,806(6)      16,000        $  49,870
   Group President                  1999      473,564       426,031        -            16,100           40,060
                                    1998      456,025       478,859        -            16,700           41,645

Alexander L. Berk,                  2000    $ 440,000     $ 374,000        -            25,000        $  48,800
   President and Chief Executive    1999      399,600       311,688        -            20,900           52,752
   Officer of Barton                1998      370,000       323,750        -            13,600           46,250
   Incorporated (7)

Peter Aikens,                       2000    $ 386,886     $ 138,611        -             8,400        $ 139,277
   President and Chief Executive    1999       95,335        30,013        -            50,000           34,321
   Officer of Matthew Clark plc     1998         -             -           -              -                -
   (8)

Thomas S. Summer,                   2000    $ 261,800     $ 176,715        -             5,500        $  27,053
   Executive Vice President and     1999      233,658       172,125        -             5,700           22,935
   Chief Financial Officer (9)      1998      192,984        50,000        -            45,500              765

-------------------------
<FN>
(1)  This table would have included  information  concerning Marvin Sands as one
     of the four most highly  compensated  executive officers other than the CEO
     had it not been for his death on August 28, 1999.

<PAGE>
                                      - 8 -

(2)  None of the  Named  Executives,  other  than  as  indicated,  received  any
     individual  perquisites or other personal benefits  exceeding the lesser of
     $50,000 or 10% of the total salary and bonus  reported  for such  executive
     officer during the periods covered by the Summary Compensation Table.

(3)  None of the Named  Executives  received any restricted  stock awards or any
     pay-outs under long-term  incentive plans during the periods covered by the
     Summary Compensation Table.

(4)  The securities consist of shares of Class A Stock underlying stock options.
     See the table below  entitled  "Option/SAR  Grants in Last Fiscal Year" and
     the footnotes to that table for additional information.

(5)  Amounts reported for 2000 consist of:

     o    Company  401(k)  contributions  under the Company's  401(k) and Profit
          Sharing Plan:  Richard Sands  $4,800;  Robert Sands $4,800;  Alexander
          Berk $4,800; and Thomas Summer $4,800.

     o    Company profit sharing  contributions  under the Company's  401(k) and
          Profit  Sharing Plan:  Richard Sands  $13,600;  Robert Sands  $13,600;
          Alexander Berk $15,303; and Thomas Summer $13,600.

     o    Company  contributions  under  the  Company's  Supplemental  Executive
          Retirement  Plan:   Richard  Sands  $32,791;   Robert  Sands  $31,470;
          Alexander Berk $28,697; and Thomas Summer $8,653.

     o    Company  contribution  to  personal  pension  plan for  Peter  Aikens:
          $139,277.

(6)  The amount shown includes $87,176 for use of the corporate aircraft.

(7)  Barton  Incorporated  is a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company.  As of
     February  28,  1998,  Alexander  Berk's  position  was  expanded to include
     overall responsibility for the Company's Barton segment.

(8)  Matthew Clark plc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, of which the
     Company acquired control on December 1, 1998. Since such date, Peter Aikens
     has been responsible for the Company's Matthew Clark segment.

(9)  Thomas S. Summer joined the Company as its Chief Financial Officer in April
     1997.
</FN>
</TABLE>

STOCK OPTIONS

     The following table contains information  concerning stock option grants to
the Named  Executives  during the fiscal year ended  February 29, 2000. No stock
appreciation rights ("SARs") were granted to any of the Named Executives in that
year. The columns labeled "Potential Realizable Value" are based on hypothetical
5% and 10% growth  assumptions,  as  required  by the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.  The Company  cannot  predict  the actual  growth rate of its Common
Stock.

<PAGE>
                                      - 9 -
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                                       POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------       VALUE AT ASSUMED
                         NUMBER OF                                                    ANNUAL RATES OF
                        SECURITIES     % OF TOTAL                                       STOCK PRICE
                        UNDERLYING    OPTIONS/SARs                                   APPRECIATION FOR
                         OPTIONS/      GRANTED TO    EXERCISE OR                        OPTION TERM
                           SARs       EMPLOYEES IN    BASE PRICE    EXPIRATION    -----------------------
NAME                    GRANTED(1)    FISCAL YEAR     ($/SH)(2)        DATE           5%          10%
-----------------       ----------    -----------    -----------    ----------    ---------   -----------
<S>                     <C>               <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>
Richard Sands           15,300 (3)        1.9 %       $ 52.00        04/14/09     $ 500,349   $ 1,267,982
                         1,100 (4)        0.1 %       $ 57.3125      09/20/09     $  39,648   $   100,476
Robert Sands            16,000 (3)        2.0 %       $ 52.00        04/14/09     $ 523,240   $ 1,325,994
Alexander L. Berk       12,700 (3)        1.6 %       $ 52.00        04/14/09     $ 415,322   $ 1,052,508
                        12,300 (5)        1.5 %       $ 44.75        06/21/09     $ 346,159   $   877,236
Peter Aikens             8,400 (3)        1.1 %       $ 52.00        04/14/09     $ 274,701   $   696,147
Thomas S. Summer         5,500 (3)        0.7 %       $ 52.00        04/14/09     $ 179,864   $   455,810

-------------------
<FN>
(1)  The  stock  options  were  granted  under  the  Company's  Long-Term  Stock
     Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan") and are nonqualified  stock options
     exercisable for shares of Class A Stock. The stock options were granted for
     terms of no greater than 10 years,  subject to earlier termination upon the
     occurrence of certain events  related to  termination of employment.  Under
     the Plan, the vesting of stock options accelerates in the event of a change
     of control, as defined in the Plan.

(2)  The exercise  price per share of each option is equal to the closing market
     price of a share of Class A Stock on the date of grant.

(3)  The options vest and become  fully  exercisable  on April 15, 2004,  unless
     they become exercisable on an earlier date as follows:  (i) 25% will become
     exercisable  after  the fair  market  value of a share of Class A Stock has
     been at least $65.00 for fifteen (15)  consecutive  trading  days;  (ii) an
     additional  25% will become  exercisable  after such fair market  value has
     been at least $81.25 for fifteen (15)  consecutive  trading days; and (iii)
     the remaining 50% will become  exercisable after such fair market value has
     been at least $101.5625 for fifteen (15) consecutive trading days.

(4)  The options vest and become fully exercisable on September 21, 2004, unless
     they become exercisable on an earlier date as follows:  (i) 25% will become
     exercisable  after  the fair  market  value of a share of Class A Stock has
     been at least $71.625 for fifteen (15)  consecutive  trading days;  (ii) an
     additional  25% will become  exercisable  after such fair market  value has
     been at least $89.5625 for fifteen (15) consecutive trading days; and (iii)
     the remaining 50% will become  exercisable after such fair market value has
     been at least $111.9375 for fifteen (15) consecutive trading days.

(5)  The options vest and become fully exercisable on June 22, 2004, unless they
     become  exercisable  on an earlier date as follows:  (i) 25% are  currently
     exercisable  because the fair market  value of a share of Class A Stock was
     at least  $55.9375  for fifteen  (15)  consecutive  trading  days;  (ii) an
     additional  25% will become  exercisable  after such fair market  value has
     been at least $69.9375 for fifteen (15) consecutive trading days; and (iii)
     the remaining 50% will become  exercisable after such fair market value has
     been at least $87.4375 for fifteen (15) consecutive trading days.
</FN>
</TABLE>

     The following table sets forth  information  regarding the number and value
of exercisable and  unexercisable  stock options held by the Named Executives as
of February 29, 2000. None of the Named  Executives  exercised any stock options
during the fiscal  year ended  February  29,  2000 and there are no  outstanding
SARs.

<PAGE>
                                     - 10 -

               AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                      AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         NUMBER OF SECURITIES           VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                              UNDERLYING                    IN-THE-MONEY
                       UNEXERCISED OPTIONS/SARs             OPTIONS/SARs
                             AT FY-END (1)                    AT FY-END
                     ---------------------------     ---------------------------
NAME                 EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE     EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
----                 -----------   -------------     -----------   -------------
Richard Sands           16,300        123,900         $ 301,400     $ 1,512,581
Robert Sands            21,175        117,625         $ 487,900     $ 1,422,938
Alexander L. Berk       30,575         72,425         $ 752,969     $   609,644
Peter Aikens              -            58,400         $    -        $   (56,450)
Thomas S. Summer        34,975         21,725         $ 733,400     $   139,138

-------------------------
(1)  The securities  consist of shares of Class A Stock underlying stock options
     that were granted under the Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan.


REPORT WITH RESPECT TO EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The  following   report  is  required  by  the   Securities   and  Exchange
Commission's  executive compensation rules in order to standardize the reporting
of executive  compensation by public  companies.  This information  shall not be
deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the federal securities laws
by virtue of any general  incorporation of this Proxy Statement by reference and
shall not otherwise be treated as filed under the securities laws.

     GENERAL

     The Human  Resources  Committee of the Board of Directors  administers  the
Company's  executive  compensation  program.  The Human  Resources  Committee is
composed  of Thomas  McDermott  and Paul Smith,  each of whom is a  non-employee
director.

     The objective of the Company's executive compensation program is to develop
and maintain executive  compensation programs which (i) are competitive with the
pay practices of other companies of comparable size and status,  including those
in the beverage  alcohol  industry,  and (ii)  attract,  motivate and retain key
executives who are vital to the long-term  success of the Company.  As discussed
in detail below, the Company's executive  compensation  program consists of both
fixed (base salary) and variable,  incentive-based  compensation elements. These
elements are designed to operate together to comprise  performance-based  annual
cash compensation and stock-based compensation which aligns the interests of the
Company's executives with the interests of its stockholders.

     Executive  compensation is determined in light of the Company's performance
during the fiscal year and taking into account  compensation  data of comparable
companies.  Specifically  considered in fiscal year 2000 was adjusted  operating
income as compared  to that set forth in the  Company's  fiscal  2000  operating
plan.

<PAGE>
                                     - 11 -

     BASE SALARY

     With respect to annual compensation,  the fundamental  objective in setting
base salary levels for the  Company's  senior  management is to pay  competitive
rates to attract and retain high quality, competent executives.  Competitive pay
levels are determined based upon input of compensation consultants,  independent
industry surveys,  proxy disclosures,  salaries paid to attract new managers and
past experience. The Human Resources Committee reviews data generated by William
H. Mercer Incorporated,  a consultant to the Company, for competitive  analyses.
Base  salary  levels  are  determined  based  upon  factors  such as  individual
performance (e.g.,  leadership,  level of responsibility,  management skills and
industry activities), Company performance and competitive pay packages.

     ANNUAL MANAGEMENT INCENTIVES

     In  addition  to their  base  salary,  the  Company's  executives  have the
opportunity  to earn an annual  cash  bonus.  The  annual  bonus  for  executive
officers for fiscal 2000 was based on  attainment  of certain  target  financial
performance  goals for the Company.  Awards were based on a  percentage  of base
salary with target awards ranging from 45% to 60% of base salaries for executive
officers.  The  purpose  of the  annual  bonus is to  motivate  and  provide  an
incentive to management to achieve specific business  objectives and initiatives
as set forth in the Company's annual operating plan and budget. For fiscal 2000,
annual cash bonuses were awarded to each of the Named  Executives in the amounts
indicated in the Summary Compensation Table.

     Future cash bonuses for the participating  executives will be determined by
the Human  Resources  Committee  pursuant  to, or in a manner  similar  to,  the
Company's Annual Management Incentive Plan. Pursuant to that plan, the Committee
would award cash bonuses to the  participating  executives in the event that the
Company attains one or more pre-set performance targets.

     STOCK OPTIONS, SARs AND RESTRICTED STOCK

     In connection with the executive compensation program,  long-term incentive
awards in the form of stock options,  stock  appreciation  rights and restricted
stock have been granted under the Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. This
arrangement  balances  the  annual  operating  objectives  of  the  annual  cash
incentive  plan  with  the  Company's  longer-term  stockholder  value  building
strategies. The Human Resources Committee and the Board of Directors grant these
stock-based incentive awards from time to time for the purpose of attracting and
retaining key  executives,  motivating  them to attain the Company's  long-range
financial  objectives,  and closely  aligning  their  financial  interests  with
long-term stockholder interests and share value.

     The Company  believes  that through the use of stock  options,  executives'
interests are directly tied to enhanced  stockholder  value. The Human Resources
Committee  of the  Board  (as well as the full  Board)  has the  flexibility  of
awarding nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights
and other stock-based awards under the Company's  Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan
and incentive  stock options  under the Company's  Incentive  Stock Option Plan.
This  flexibility  enables  the  Company  to  fine-tune  its  grants in order to
maximize the alignment of the interests of the stockholders and management.

     During fiscal 2000,  the Human  Resources  Committee  awarded  nonqualified
options to all  executive  officers,  including the  Company's  Chief  Executive
Officer,  taking into account  relevant market survey data,  their position with
the Company and the financial performance of the Company. The exercise prices of
the stock  options  awarded  were  equal to the market  value of the  underlying

<PAGE>
                                     - 12 -

shares on the date of grant. Accordingly, the value of the awards depends solely
upon future growth in the share value of the Company's Class A Stock.

     COMPENSATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

     For fiscal year 2000,  the  compensation  of Richard  Sands,  the Company's
Chief Executive  Officer,  was based on the Company's  performance and growth as
described  under the caption  "General"  above.  In addition,  the  compensation
packages of chief executive officers of certain comparable companies selected by
William H. Mercer Incorporated were considered.  Also taken into account was the
Company's current executive salary and compensation structure.

     Richard  Sands'  base  salary is  believed  to be in line with  salaries of
executives  of similar  companies  and chief  executive  officers  with  similar
responsibilities.  Mr.  Sands'  annual  cash  incentive  for  fiscal  2000 was a
percentage  of his base salary  based upon the  Company's  fiscal 2000  adjusted
operating  income as  compared  to that set forth in the  Company's  fiscal 2000
operating plan. The range for Mr. Sands' cash incentive  award,  from threshold,
target and maximum (15%, 60% and 105%, respectively), was comparable to industry
compensation  survey data for  executives in Richard  Sands'  position.  For the
fiscal year ended February 29, 2000, Richard Sands received a bonus of $491,204.
As noted above,  during fiscal 2000,  Mr. Sands also  received  stock options to
purchase up to 16,400 shares of Class A Stock of the Company.

     DEDUCTIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     Section  162(m)  of  the  Internal   Revenue  Code  provides  that  certain
compensation  in  excess  of $1  million  per  year  paid to a  company's  chief
executive officer and four other most highly paid executive  officers may not be
deductible by the company unless it qualifies as performance-based compensation.
The Human Resources Committee  recognizes the benefits of structuring  executive
compensation  so that Section 162(m) does not limit the Company's tax deductions
for  such  compensation,  and the  Company's  Long-Term  Stock  Incentive  Plan,
Incentive  Stock  Option  Plan and Annual  Management  Incentive  Plan have been
designed  so that the Human  Resources  Committee  may  award  performance-based
compensation that is not subject to the limits imposed by Section 162(m).  Under
certain  circumstances,  the  Human  Resources  Committee  may  decide  to award
executive  compensation  in an  amount  and form  that is not  deductible  under
Section 162(m).

     The  foregoing  report  is  given by the  members  of the  Human  Resources
Committee.

                                                HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

                                                Thomas C. McDermott
                                                Paul L. Smith


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     As described  above,  during fiscal 2000,  Thomas  McDermott and Paul Smith
served as members of the Human  Resources  Committee of the  Company's  Board of
Directors.  Neither of Messrs. McDermott or Smith is or has ever been an officer
or employee of the Company.

<PAGE>
                                     - 13 -

STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     Set forth below is a line graph comparing, for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1995,  the  Transition  Period* from September 1, 1995 to February 29, 1996,
the fiscal  years ended  February  28,  1997,  1998 and 1999 and the fiscal year
ended  February  29,  2000,  the  cumulative  total  stockholder  return  of the
Company's Class A Stock and Class B Stock,  with the cumulative  total return of
the Russell 2000 Index,  the Nasdaq Market Index (see footnote (1) to the graph)
and a peer group index  comprised of companies  in the  beverage  industry  (the
"Selected Peer Group Index") (see footnote (2) to the graph).  The graph assumes
the  investment  of $100.00 on August 31, 1994 in the  Company's  Class A Stock,
Class B Stock,  the Russell 2000 Index, the Nasdaq Market Index and the Selected
Peer Group Index, and also assumes the reinvestment of all dividends.

                 COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
                 -----------------------------------------------

                               [PERFORMANCE GRAPH]


                     1994     1995     1996*    1997     1998     1999     2000
                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
CDB                $100.00  $154.92  $124.59  $100.82  $182.79  $175.00  $160.66
CDB.B               100.00   149.22   118.75   103.91   180.47   174.22   153.13
Peer Group Index    100.00   131.67   168.13   225.08   256.07   270.36   224.95
Nasdaq              100.00   118.99   124.19   149.07   202.74   261.97   508.91
Russell 2000 Index  100.00   120.80   129.52   145.78   189.42   161.89   238.42

---------------------------
*    The Transition  Period,  resulting from the Company's change in fiscal year
     end from August 31 to the last day of February.

(1)  The Company has historically compared its performance to that of the Nasdaq
     Market Index.  During the fiscal year ended  February 29, 2000, the Company
     discontinued  trading on Nasdaq and commenced trading on the New York Stock
     Exchange.  The Company has determined  that a better measure for comparison
     purposes  would be the  Russell  2000 Index,  opposed to the Nasdaq  Market
     Index,  because

<PAGE>
                                     - 14 -

     the investment  characteristics  of the companies in the Russell 2000 Index
     more  closely  match those of the  Company.  The Company is a member of the
     Russell 2000 Index,  which is comprised of companies of  comparable  market
     capitalization.

(2)  The  SELECTED  PEER GROUP INDEX is  weighted  according  to the  respective
     issuer's  stock market  capitalization  and is  comprised of the  following
     companies: Adolph Coors Company (Class B Shares); Anheuser-Busch Companies,
     Inc.;  Beringer Wine Estates  Holdings,  Inc. (Class B Shares) (included in
     1998, 1999 and 2000 only); The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (included in 1996,
     1997,  1998,  1999 and 2000 only);  Brown-Forman  Corporation  (Class A and
     Class B Shares);  Cadbury  Schweppes  plc;  The Chalone  Wine Group,  Ltd.;
     Coca-Cola  Bottling  Co.   Consolidated;   Coca-Cola   Company;   Coca-Cola
     Enterprises  Inc.;  Diageo plc-ADR  (included in 1998,  1999 and 2000 only)
     Genesee Corporation (Class B Shares); LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton; The
     Robert Mondavi  Corporation  (Class A Shares);  PepsiCo,  Inc.; and Whitman
     Corporation.  Note: Beringer Wine Estates Holdings,  Inc. (Class B Shares),
     The Boston Beer Company,  Inc., and Diageo plc-ADR are included only in the
     years for which trading and public information were available.

     There  can be no  assurance  that  the  Company's  stock  performance  will
continue into the future with the same or similar  trends  depicted by the graph
above. The Company neither makes nor endorses any predictions as to future stock
performance.

     The Stock  Price  Performance  Graph set  forth  above  shall not be deemed
incorporated  by reference in any filing  under the federal  securities  laws by
virtue of any general  incorporation  of this Proxy  Statement by reference  and
shall not otherwise be treated as filed under the securities laws.


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     Alexander Berk and Barton  Incorporated,  a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the
Company,  are parties to an employment  agreement dated as of September 1, 1990,
as amended on November  11, 1996 and October 20,  1998,  that  provides  for Mr.
Berk's  compensation  and sets  forth  the terms and  conditions  of Mr.  Berk's
employment with Barton. Under his employment  agreement,  Mr. Berk serves as the
President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of Barton and by virtue of his  current
responsibilities  with Barton, he is deemed an executive officer of the Company.
The employment agreement expires on February 28, 2001, but will be automatically
extended  for  additional  one-year  periods  unless  either Mr.  Berk or Barton
notifies  the other that such  party  does not wish to extend it. The  agreement
will  terminate  prior to its  expiration  date (i)  upon  Mr.  Berk's  death or
Retirement,  (ii) at Barton's  election,  for Cause or upon Mr. Berk's  Complete
Disability,  and (iii) at Mr. Berk's election, for Good Reason (all as set forth
in the agreement). If Barton decides not to extend the term of the agreement, or
if the agreement terminates by reason of Mr. Berk's death,  Complete Disability,
or  Retirement,  or for Good  Reason,  Barton is  obligated to pay to Mr. Berk a
post-termination  benefit equal to 100% of his then current base salary plus the
bonus amount paid to him for the  immediately  prior  fiscal  year.  If Mr. Berk
decides not to extend the term of the agreement, then Barton is obligated to pay
to Mr.  Berk a  post-termination  benefit  equal  to one  half of the  foregoing
amount.  In the event that Mr. Berk's  employment is terminated for Good Reason,
or is terminated by Barton for reasons  other than death,  Complete  Disability,
Cause,  or Barton's  decision not to extend the term of the agreement,  then Mr.
Berk is entitled to be paid (i) if the applicable  conditions  are satisfied,  a
supplementary  post-termination  benefit  equal to what he otherwise  would have
been  entitled  to  receive  as  his  share  of  Barton's  contribution  to  its
profit-sharing and retirement plan for the fiscal year in which such termination
occurs and (ii) an amount  equal to the product of his then  current base salary
multiplied by the number of years  remaining in the then term of the  agreement.
Post-termination  benefits  are  payable  to Mr.  Berk in a lump  sum as soon as
practicable   after  employment   terminates,   except  that  any  supplementary
post-termination  benefit is payable promptly after Barton's contribution to the

<PAGE>
                                     - 15 -

retirement  plan.  The agreement  requires Mr. Berk to keep certain  information
with respect to the Company  confidential  during and after his employment  with
the Company.

     Under  the terms of a letter  agreement  between  the  Company  and  Thomas
Summer,  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, if
Mr. Summer's employment is terminated without cause or if he voluntarily resigns
within  30  days  after  a  demotion   or  a   material   diminishment   in  his
responsibilities,  in  either  case  without  cause,  or if there is a change in
control of the Company,  he will be entitled to receive  severance  compensation
equal to his then current base compensation for a period of 12 months.

     Peter  Aikens  and  Matthew  Clark plc, a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of the
Company, are parties to a service agreement dated September 27, 1991, as amended
on August  19,  1993,  July 9, 1996 and June 24,  1999,  that  provides  for Mr.
Aikens'  compensation  and sets forth the terms and conditions of his employment
with Matthew  Clark.  Under this service  agreement,  Mr.  Aikens  serves as the
President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of  Matthew  Clark and by virtue of his
current  responsibilities  with Matthew Clark, he is deemed an executive officer
of the Company.  The agreement  will  terminate if either Mr. Aikens  provides 6
months notice to Matthew Clark or Matthew Clark provides 24 months notice to Mr.
Aikens of an intention to terminate the  agreement.  If Matthew  Clark  provides
such  notice,  then during this notice  period,  Mr.  Aikens  shall  continue to
receive his entitled compensation, although Matthew Clark may suspend Mr. Aikens
from the  performance of his duties.  The agreement  will terminate  immediately
upon notice if Mr. Aikens,  among other things,  becomes  incapacitated  for six
consecutive  months or for one hundred and thirty  working days in any period of
twelve consecutive  months.  The agreement  prohibits Mr. Aikens from soliciting
certain  customers or employees  away from the Company or its  affiliates  for a
period  of  twelve  months  from  his  termination  of  employment,  as  well as
prohibiting  him  from  engaging  in  certain  activities  competitive  with the
Company's  business  during his employment and for a period of three months from
termination of his employment. In addition, the agreement requires Mr. Aikens to
keep  certain  information  with  respect  to  the  Company  or  its  affiliates
confidential during and after his employment with Matthew Clark.

     The son of Peter  Aikens has an equity  interest  in Harold  Whitehead  and
Partners ("HWP"),  which provides  consulting services to Matthew Clark on an as
needed basis. Over the course of the last year,  approximately $817,284 was paid
to HWP for services rendered to Matthew Clark.

     Effective  May 15, 2000,  Agustin  Francisco  Huneeus  ("Mr.  Huneeus") was
elected President of Franciscan Vineyards,  Inc. ("Franciscan"),  a wholly-owned
subsidiary  of the  Company.  By virtue of Mr.  Huneeus'  responsibilities  with
Franciscan,  he is deemed an  executive  officer  of the  Company.  His  father,
Agustin  Huneeus,  and other  members of his  immediate  family,  as well as Mr.
Huneeus,  individually  and through  various family owned entities (the "Huneeus
Interests")  engaged in certain  transactions  with  Franciscan  during the last
fiscal  year that are  expected  to be of an ongoing  nature  from year to year.
Huneeus  Interests (a) engage  Franciscan for certain wine processing  services;
(b) engage  Franciscan as the exclusive  distributor of Quintessa  wines under a
long-term contract; (c) sell grapes to Franciscan pursuant to existing long term
contracts;  (d)  participate  as partners  with  Franciscan in the ownership and
operation  of a winery  and  vineyards  in Chile;  (e) render  brand  management
consulting and advisory services in the United States and  internationally  with
respect to the Veramonte brand; and (f) render consulting services to Franciscan
and the Company.  Payments to Huneeus Interests  pursuant to these  transactions
and arrangements totaled  approximately  $3,100,000 for the last fiscal year. In
addition,  Agustin Huneeus received an option to purchase up to 50,000 shares of
the  Company's  Class A Stock with an  exercise  price  equal to the fair market
value of the Class A Stock on the date of grant. Payments from Huneeus Interests
to  Franciscan  for  certain  wine  processing  services  totaled  approximately
$649,000 for the last fiscal year.

<PAGE>
                                     - 16 -

     By an  Agreement  dated  December  20,  1990,  the Company  entered  into a
split-dollar  insurance  agreement  with a trust  established by Marvin Sands of
which Robert Sands is the trustee.  Pursuant to the Agreement,  the Company pays
the annual  premium on an  insurance  policy (the  "Policy")  held in the trust,
$209,063 in fiscal 2000, and the trust reimburses the Company for the portion of
the premium  equal to the  "economic  benefit"  to Marvin  Sands  calculated  in
accordance  with the  United  States  Treasury  Department  rules then in effect
($15,177 in fiscal  2000).  The Policy is a joint life policy  payable  upon the
death of the second to die of the  insureds,  Marvin Sands and his wife Marilyn,
with a face value of $5  million.  Pursuant  to the terms of the trust,  Richard
Sands,  Robert  Sands (in his  individual  capacity)  and the children of Laurie
Sands (the  deceased  sister of  Richard  and Robert  Sands)  will each  receive
one-third of the proceeds of the Policy (after the repayment of the indebtedness
to the Company out of such proceeds as described  below) if they survive  Marvin
Sands and Marilyn Sands.  From the inception of the agreement through the end of
fiscal 2000, the Company has paid aggregate premiums, net of reimbursements,  of
$2,013,443.  The  aggregate  amount of such  unreimbursed  premiums  constitutes
indebtedness  from the  trust to the  Company  and is  secured  by a  collateral
assignment of the Policy. Upon the termination of the Agreement,  whether by the
death of the  survivor of the insureds or earlier  cancellation,  the Company is
entitled to be repaid by the trust the amount of such indebtedness.

     Richard Sands, Robert Sands and four trusts formed under the will of Laurie
Sands are the  beneficial  owners of a limited  partnership  which owns railroad
cars.  These cars are leased by the Company from the  partnership at fair market
rates.  During fiscal year 2000, with respect to leasing these cars, the Company
made payments to this limited partnership in the amount of $26,505.  The Company
expects to continue its present relationship with the limited partnership during
fiscal year 2001.

     Richard Sands, Robert Sands and their mother,  Marilyn Sands are beneficial
owners of L, R, R & M, LLC, a Delaware limited  liability company which owns the
Inn on the Lake in  Canandaigua,  New York (the  "Inn").  The Inn is leased  and
operated by a third party. The Inn is frequently used by the Company for Company
functions and for its  out-of-town  employees  visiting the Company on business.
During  the  last  fiscal  year,  the  Company  paid  the  operators  of the Inn
approximately $167,840 (exclusive of employee reimbursed expenses).

     George Bresler, a director of the Company,  is a partner of the law firm of
Bresler  Goodman & Unterman,  LLP in New York, New York. The Company pays to Mr.
Bresler individually an annual retainer of $30,000 for his legal services to the
Company.  The Company also  includes Mr.  Bresler  under its  non-working  group
medical  policy  and  pays a  monthly  premium  of  approximately  $181  for his
coverage.  James A. Locke,  III, a director of the Company,  is a partner in the
law firm of Nixon,  Peabody LLP,  Rochester,  New York, the Company's  principal
outside counsel.


             SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

     Section  16(a)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act  requires  the  Company's
directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10%
of a  registered  class of the  Company's  equity  securities,  to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission reports of ownership and changes in ownership
of the Company's Class A Stock and Class B Stock. Executive officers,  directors
and greater  than 10%  stockholders  are  required  to furnish the Company  with
copies of all such reports they file. Based solely upon review of copies of such
reports furnished to the Company and related  information,  the Company believes
that all such filing requirements for fiscal 2000 were complied with in a timely
fashion.

<PAGE>
                                     - 17 -

                          STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

     The following  table and notes thereto set forth,  as of May 31, 2000,  the
beneficial  ownership  of  the  Company's  directors  and  nominees,  the  Named
Executives,  and all of the  Company's  directors  and  executive  officers as a
group.  This information is based on information  furnished to the Company by or
on behalf of each person concerned. Unless otherwise noted, the named individual
has sole  voting  power and  investment  discretion  with  respect to the shares
attributed to him and the  percentages  of ownership are calculated on the basis
of  15,173,001  shares  of Class A Stock and  3,092,272  shares of Class B Stock
outstanding as of the close of business on May 31, 2000.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               CLASS A STOCK (1)                            CLASS B STOCK
                               -------------------------------------------------    ----------------------------
                                    SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                               ----------------------------------
                                                    SHARES           PERCENT OF                      PERCENT OF
                                               ACQUIRABLE WITHIN       CLASS           SHARES          CLASS
                               OUTSTANDING    60 DAYS BY EXERCISE   BENEFICIALLY    BENEFICIALLY    BENEFICIALLY
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER         SHARES          OF OPTIONS (2)       OWNED (3)        OWNED           OWNED
------------------------      -------------   -------------------   ------------    -------------   ------------
  <S>                           <C>                 <C>                <C>          <C>                <C>
  Richard Sands                 706,522 (4)         20,675 (4)         4.8% (4)     2,096,047 (4)      67.8% (4)
  Robert Sands                  715,654 (4)         25,550 (4)         4.9% (4)     2,095,342 (4)      67.8% (4)
  Alexander L. Berk                -                31,275              *                -               *
  Peter Aikens                     -                  -                 *                -               *
  Thomas S. Summer                  509 (5)         41,375              *                -               *
  James A. Locke, III             1,049             15,000              *   (6)            33            *
  George Bresler                  2,000             12,000              *                -               *
  Jeananne K. Hauswald             -                  -                 *                -               *
  Paul L. Smith                     400             12,000              *                -               *
  Thomas C. McDermott              -                12,000              *                -               *

  All Executive Officers
  and Directors as a
  Group (13 persons) (7)      1,030,457            202,850             8.0% (7)     2,833,904          91.6%
----------------------
<FN>
*    Percentage  does not exceed one percent (1%) of the  outstanding  shares of
     such class.

(1)  The shares and  percentages of Class A Stock set forth in this table do not
     include (i) shares of Class A Stock that may be acquired  within 60 days by
     an employee under the Company's  Employee Stock Purchase Plan (because such
     number of shares is not presently  determinable) and (ii) shares of Class A
     Stock that are issuable pursuant to the conversion feature of the Company's
     Class B Stock,  although,  such information is provided in a footnote where
     appropriate.  For purposes of  calculating  the percentage of Class A Stock
     beneficially  owned in the  footnotes,  additional  shares of Class A Stock
     equal to the number of shares of Class B Stock owned by the named person or
     by the persons in the group of executive officers and directors are assumed
     to be outstanding only for that person or group of persons pursuant to Rule
     13-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act.

(2)  Reflects  the  number of shares of Class A Stock that can be  purchased  by
     exercising  stock  options that are  exercisable  on May 31, 2000 or become
     exercisable within sixty 60 days thereafter.

(3)  The  percentage  of Class A Stock  beneficially  owned by each of the named
     persons and by the executive officers and directors as a group as reflected
     in the table is based on the total number of shares  listed for that person
     or group of persons  under  "Outstanding  Shares"  and  "Shares  Acquirable
     within 60 days by Exercise of  Options".  For purposes of  calculating  the
     percentage,  the  number of shares of Class A Stock  listed  under  "Shares
     Acquirable within 60 days by Exercise of Options" for a named person or for

<PAGE>
                                     - 18 -

     the  executive  officers  and  directors  as a  group  are  assumed  to  be
     outstanding  only for that  person  or group of  persons  pursuant  to Rule
     13d-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act.

(4)  Includes  shares with respect to which the named  individual  shares voting
     power or investment discretion.  See tables and footnotes under "Beneficial
     Ownership"  above for information  with respect to such matters and for the
     number  and  percentage  of  shares  of Class A Stock  that  would be owned
     assuming the conversion of Class B Stock into Class A Stock.

(5)  Mr. Summer  shares the power  to vote and  dispose  these  shares  with his
     spouse.

(6)  Assuming  the  conversion  of Mr.  Locke's  33 shares of Class B Stock into
     Class A Stock,  Mr. Locke would  beneficially  own 16,082 shares of Class A
     Stock,  representing  less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding Class A
     Stock after such conversion.

(7)  This  group  consists  of the  Company's  current  executive  officers  and
     directors.  Assuming the conversion of a total of 2,833,904 shares of Class
     B Stock  beneficially  owned by the  executive  officers and directors as a
     group into Class A Stock,  all executive  officers and directors as a group
     would  beneficially  own  4,067,211  shares of Class A Stock,  representing
     22.3% of the outstanding Class A Stock after such conversion.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                 PROPOSAL NO. 1
                                 --------------

                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTOR NOMINEES

     The Board of Directors of the Company  reduced its size to seven  directors
and nominated seven  directors to be elected by the  stockholders to hold office
until the next Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  and until their  successors are
elected and  qualified.  The nominees for election to the Board of Directors are
Richard Sands,  Robert Sands,  George  Bresler,  James A. Locke,  III, Thomas C.
McDermott  and Paul L. Smith,  all of whom  currently  serve as directors of the
Company, and Jeananne K. Hauswald,  who the Board of Directors nominated on June
1, 2000 to be elected by the  stockholders  to fill the  current  vacancy on the
Board. Of the seven nominees,  Messrs.  McDermott and Smith have been designated
as the  nominees to be elected by the holders of the Class A Stock,  voting as a
separate class.  The remaining five nominees are to be elected by the holders of
the Class B Stock, voting as a separate class.

     Management  does  not  anticipate  that  any of the  nominees  will  become
unavailable for any reason, but if that should occur before the Meeting, proxies
will be voted FOR  another  nominee or  nominees  to be selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company.  The following paragraphs contain certain biographical
information about the nominees.

GEORGE BRESLER                                               DIRECTOR SINCE 1992
--------------
Mr.  Bresler,  age 75, has been engaged in the practice of law since 1957.  From
August  1987  through  July 1992,  Mr.  Bresler was a partner of the law firm of
Bresler and Bab, New York, New York.  Since 1992, Mr. Bresler has been a partner
of the law firm of Bresler Goodman & Unterman, LLP, and its predecessor firm, in
New York, New York. Mr. Bresler provides legal services to the Company.

JEANANNE K. HAUSWALD                                   NOMINATED ON JUNE 1, 2000
--------------------
Ms. Hauswald, age 56, has been a managing partner of Solo Management Group, LLC,
a corporate  financial  and  investment  management  consulting  company,  since
September  1998.  From 1987 to 1998,  Ms.  Hauswald  was employed by The Seagram
Company  Ltd., a beverage and  entertainment/communications  company,  where she
served in various  positions,  including  Vice

<PAGE>
                                     - 19 -

President  Human  Resources from 1990-1993 and Vice President and Treasurer from
1993-1998.  Ms. Hauswald  currently serves on the Board of Directors of Thomas &
Betts Corporation.

JAMES A. LOCKE, III                                          DIRECTOR SINCE 1983
-------------------
Mr. Locke,  age 58, has been a partner in the law firm of Nixon Peabody LLP, and
its predecessor  firm, in Rochester,  New York, the Company's  principal outside
counsel, since January 1, 1996. For twenty years prior to joining Nixon Peabody,
Mr. Locke was a partner in the law firm of Harter, Secrest and Emery, Rochester,
New York.

THOMAS C. MCDERMOTT                                          DIRECTOR SINCE 1997
-------------------
Mr. McDermott,  age 63, has been a proprietor of Forbes Products,  LLC, a custom
vinyl  business  products  company,  since January 1998.  From 1994 to 1997, Mr.
McDermott  was  President   and  Chief   Executive   Officer  of  Goulds  Pumps,
Incorporated,   a  centrifugal  pumps  company  for  industrial,   domestic  and
agricultural markets, where he also was Chairman from 1995 to 1997. From 1986 to
1993,  he  was  President  and  Chief   Operating   Officer  of  Bausch  &  Lomb
Incorporated, a contact lens, lens-care and eyewear products company.

RICHARD SANDS, PH.D.                                         DIRECTOR SINCE 1982
--------------------
Mr. Sands,  age 49, is the Chairman of the Board,  President and Chief Executive
Officer  of the  Company.  He  has  been  employed  by the  Company  in  various
capacities since 1979. He was elected Executive Vice President and a director in
1982,  became President and Chief Operating Officer in May 1986, and was elected
Chief  Executive  Officer in October  1993.  In  September  1999,  Mr. Sands was
elected Chairman of the Board. He is the brother of Robert Sands.

ROBERT SANDS                                                 DIRECTOR SINCE 1990
------------
Mr. Sands,  age 42, is Group  President of the Company.  He was appointed  Group
President in April 2000 and has served as a director  since  January  1990.  Mr.
Sands  also had served as General  Counsel  from June 1986 to May 2000,  as Vice
President  from June 1990 through  October 1993, and as Executive Vice President
from October 1993 through April 2000. He is the brother of Richard Sands.

PAUL L. SMITH                                                DIRECTOR SINCE 1997
-------------
Mr.  Smith,  age 64,  retired from Eastman  Kodak  Company in 1993 after working
there for  thirty-five  years.  Mr. Smith was  employed in various  positions at
Eastman Kodak Company,  the last of which was from 1983 to 1993,  when he served
as Senior Vice President and Chief  Financial  Officer.  Also from 1983 to 1993,
Mr. Smith served on the Board of Directors of Eastman Kodak  Company.  Mr. Smith
currently  serves on the Board of Directors of Home Properties of New York, Inc.
and Performance Technologies, Incorporated.

     See also information  regarding  George Bresler,  Richard Sands, and Robert
Sands under the caption "Certain  Relationships and Related  Transactions".  For
information  with respect to the number of shares of the Company's  common stock
beneficially owned by each of the above named director  nominees,  see the table
and the footnotes thereto under the caption "Stock Ownership of Management".

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     The Company's policy is to pay its nonemployee  directors  $35,000 per year
for their services as directors. There is no additional compensation for serving
as members of committees of the Board. George Bresler, James A. Locke, Thomas C.
McDermott and Paul L. Smith currently qualify for such payments, and they, along
with Jeananne K. Hauswald, if elected, will qualify for such payments.  However,
Mr. Locke has waived the payment of his director's  fee. During fiscal 2000, the
Company  awarded  options to purchase up to 6,000 shares of Class A Stock to the
nonemployee  directors,  Messrs.  Bresler,  Locke,  McDermott  and Smith,  at an
exercise price of $53.00 per share and with an exercise  period of June 22, 2000
through  December  20, 2009.  The Company  also  reimburses  its

<PAGE>
                                     - 20 -

directors for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings
of the Board of Directors and  committees  of the Board of Directors.  Directors
who are also  employees of the Company  receive no additional  compensation  for
serving as directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

     The  Board of  Directors  of the  Company  held  six  meetings  during  the
Company's  fiscal year ended February 29, 2000.  The standing  committees of the
Board  are  the  Audit  Committee,  Corporate  Governance  Committee  and  Human
Resources Committee. During fiscal 2000, each of the incumbent directors, during
his period of  service,  attended  at least 75% of the total  number of meetings
held by the Board and each committee of the Board on which he served.

AUDIT COMMITTEE.  The Audit  Committee is  currently  composed of  Paul L. Smith
(Chair)  and  Thomas C.  McDermott.  The Audit  Committee  assists  the Board of
Directors in  fulfilling  its oversight  responsibilities  as they relate to the
Company's  accounting  policies,   internal  controls  and  financial  reporting
practices. In addition, this Committee maintains a line of communication between
the Board of Directors and the Company's financial management, internal auditors
and  independent  accountants.  The Audit  Committee  held four meetings  during
fiscal 2000.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE.  The Corporate Governance Committee is currently
composed of James A. Locke (Chair),  Thomas C. McDermott,  Robert Sands and Paul
L. Smith.  The full Board is  responsible  for  nominating  candidates to become
Directors,  but has delegated the  screening  process  involved to the Corporate
Governance  Committee.  The  Corporate  Governance  Committee  advises the Board
concerning  appropriate  composition of the Board and its committees and advises
the Board regarding  appropriate  corporate governance practices and assists the
Board in  achieving  them.  Among  other  matters,  this  Committee  also  makes
recommendations to the full Board with respect to an officer to be designated as
Chief  Executive  Officer,  and a director to serve as Chairman of the Board. In
addition,  this Committee recommends to the Board compensation for directors who
are neither present or former full-time officers of the Company.  This Committee
held one meeting  during fiscal 2000.  The Corporate  Governance  Committee will
consider   nominations  by  shareholders.   Those  suggestions   should  include
sufficient  biographical  information  so that the Committee  can  appropriately
assess the person's  background and  qualifications.  All submissions  should be
sent in writing to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, Canandaigua Brands,
Inc., 300 WillowBrook Office Park, Fairport, NY 14450.

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE.  The Human Resources Committee  is currently composed
of Thomas C. McDermott (Chair) and Paul L. Smith. The Human Resources  Committee
monitors,  among other matters:  human resources policies and procedures as they
relate to the goals and objectives of the Company and good management practices;
and procedures and internal  controls which relate to personnel  administration,
pay  practices and benefits  administration.  The Human  Resources  Committee is
responsible for reviewing total executive compensation in relation to individual
executive  performance,   Company  performance,  salary  information  and  other
parameters deemed reasonable in the assignment of executive compensation levels.
This Committee also reviews and approves  executive benefits and perquisites and
reviews  performance  systems,  including reward  programs.  The Human Resources
Committee  evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and approves
his salary,  as well as the salaries of other  executives.  This  Committee also
presently  administers the Company's  Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan,  Incentive
Stock Option  Plan,  Annual  Management  Incentive  Plan,  1989  Employee  Stock
Purchase Plan and U.K. Sharesave Scheme and reviews succession  planning for the
Company  and  other  important  human  resources  issues.  The  Human  Resources
Committee held four meetings during fiscal 2000.

<PAGE>
                                     - 21 -

VOTE REQUIRED

     A  plurality  of the votes cast at the  Meeting  by the  holders of Class A
Stock is required for the election of the two  directors  elected by the holders
of Class A Stock. A plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of
Class B Stock is required for the election of the four directors  elected by the
holders of Class B Stock.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES. UNLESS AUTHORITY
TO VOTE FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE  NOMINEES IS  SPECIFICALLY  WITHHELD,  THE SHARES
REPRESENTED BY YOUR PROXY, IF PROPERLY  EXECUTED AND RETURNED,  AND NOT REVOKED,
WILL BE VOTED FOR THE  ELECTION OF ALL THE NOMINEES FOR WHOM YOU ARE ENTITLED TO
VOTE.


                                 PROPOSAL NO. 2
                                 --------------

                        SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     The firm of Arthur Andersen LLP,  Certified Public  Accountants,  served as
the  independent  auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ended February 29,
2000, and the Board of Directors has again selected  Arthur  Andersen LLP as the
Company's  independent  auditors  for the fiscal year ending  February 28, 2001.
This selection will be presented to the stockholders  for their  ratification at
the Meeting.  If the  stockholders do not approve this  selection,  the Board of
Directors may reconsider its choice.

     A  representative  of Arthur  Andersen LLP is expected to be present at the
Meeting.  The representative will be given an opportunity to make a statement if
he or she so desires and will be available to respond to  appropriate  questions
concerning the audit of the Company's financial statements.

     Approval of Proposal No. 2 to ratify the  selection of Arthur  Andersen LLP
as the  Company's  independent  auditors  requires  the  affirmative  vote  of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast by  stockholders  present in person or
represented by proxy at the Meeting.  With respect to this proposal,  holders of
Class A Stock and Class B Stock are  entitled  to vote as a single  class at the
Meeting, with holders of Class A Stock having one (1) vote per share and holders
of Class B Stock having ten (10) votes per share.

     THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  RECOMMENDS  THAT  THE  STOCKHOLDERS  RATIFY  THE
SELECTION OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT  AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING  FEBRUARY 28, 2001 AND  ACCORDINGLY  RECOMMENDS  THAT YOU
VOTE  FOR  PROPOSAL  NO.  2.  UNLESS  OTHERWISE  DIRECTED  THEREIN,  THE  SHARES
REPRESENTED BY YOUR PROXY, IF PROPERLY  EXECUTED AND RETURNED,  AND NOT REVOKED,
WILL BE VOTED FOR SUCH PROPOSAL.


                STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2001 ANNUAL MEETING

     In order for any  stockholder  proposal  submitted  pursuant  to Rule 14a-8
promulgated  under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"),
to be included in the Company's  proxy statement to be issued in connection with
the 2001 Annual Meeting of  Stockholders,  such proposal must be received by the
Company no later than February 7, 2001.

     Any notice of a proposal  submitted  outside  the  processes  of Rule 14a-8
promulgated  under the Act,  which a  stockholder  intends to bring forth at the
Company's 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,  will be untimely for purposes of
Rule 14a-4 of the Act and the By-laws of the Company, if received by the Company
after February 7, 2001.

<PAGE>
                                     - 22 -

                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     The Company has  furnished  its financial  statements  to  stockholders  by
including  in this package the  Company's  2000 Annual  Report to  Stockholders,
which  consists  of its Form 10-K for the fiscal  year ended  February  29, 2000
(excluding the exhibits thereto) and its 2000 glossy report.


                                      OTHER

     As of the date of this Proxy  Statement,  the Board of  Directors  does not
intend to present,  and has not been informed  that any other person  intends to
present, any matter at the Meeting other than those specifically  referred to in
this Proxy Statement.  If any other matters properly come before the Meeting, it
is  intended  that the  holders of the  proxies  will act in respect  thereto in
accordance with their best judgment.

                                           BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                           /s/ David S. Sorce

                                           DAVID S. SORCE, Secretary


Fairport, New York
June 7, 2000

<PAGE>

P R O X Y

                            CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.

             PROXY FOR CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK


     The undersigned hereby appoints David S. Sorce and Thomas S. Summer, or any
one of them, proxies for the undersigned with full power of substitution to vote
all shares of CANANDAIGUA  BRANDS,  INC. (the  "Company")  that the  undersigned
would be entitled to vote at the Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  to be held at
One Chase Square, Rochester, New York, on Tuesday, July 18, 2000, at 11:00 a.m.,
and at any adjournments thereof (the "Meeting").

     Class A Stockholders, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two
directors at the Meeting. Class B Stockholders,  voting as a separate class, are
entitled  to elect five  directors  at the  Meeting.  Please  refer to the Proxy
Statement for details. Your Shares of Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Common
Stock appear on the back of this card.  Note that Shares (if any)  designated as
"ESPP" refer to Shares of Class A Common Stock. PLEASE SIGN ON THE BACK.

     THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
THE  SHARES  REPRESENTED  BY  THIS  PROXY  WILL BE  VOTED  AS  SPECIFIED  BY THE
UNDERSIGNED. THIS PROXY REVOKES ANY PRIOR PROXY GIVEN BY THE UNDERSIGNED. UNLESS
AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE NOMINEES IS SPECIFICALLY  WITHHELD, THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY A SIGNED PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
                                                   ---
AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE  SPECIFIED,  THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY A SIGNED PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 2.
         ---


     TO APPROVE  THE BOARD OF  DIRECTORS'  RECOMMENDATIONS,  SIMPLY  SIGN ON THE
BACK. YOU NEED NOT MARK ANY BOXES.

                   CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE

                                                              [SEE REVERSE SIDE]


<PAGE>

                                    BALLOT                    PLEASE MARK
                                                              YOUR VOTES AS  [X]
                                                              INDICATED IN
                                                              THIS EXAMPLE

1.   Election  of  Directors:  To elect  Directors  as set  forth  in the  Proxy
     Statement.

       CLASS A STOCKHOLDERS                        CLASS B STOCKHOLDERS

Thomas C. McDermott, Paul L. Smith         George Bresler, Jeananne K. Hauswald,
                                           James A. Locke, III, Richard Sands,
                                           Robert Sands

 FOR BOTH   [  ]     WITHHELD  [  ]         FOR ALL   [  ]      WITHHELD  [  ]
 NOMINEES            FROM BOTH              NOMINEES            FROM ALL
(except as           NOMINEES              (except as           NOMINEES
 noted below)                               noted below)

[  ]                                       [  ]
     ------------------------------             -----------------------------
     FOR, except vote withheld                  FOR, except vote withheld
     from nominee identified on                 from nominee(s) identified on
     above line.                                above line.


2.   Proposal to ratify  selection  of Arthur  Andersen  LLP,  Certified  Public
     Accountants,  as the  Company's  independent  auditors  for the fiscal year
     ending February 28, 2001.

                  FOR                AGAINST               ABSTAIN
                  [  ]                [  ]                  [  ]


3.   In their  discretion,  the proxies are  authorized  to vote upon such other
     business  not known at the time of the  solicitation  of this  Proxy as may
     properly come before the Meeting or at any adjournments thereof.


[  ] MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE BELOW


     The  undersigned  acknowledges  receipt  with  this  Proxy of a copy of the
Notice of Annual  Meeting  and Proxy  Statement  for the  Company's  2000 Annual
Meeting, describing more fully the proposals set forth herein.


SIGNATURE                                       DATE
          ------------------------------------       ---------------------------

SIGNATURE                                       DATE
          ------------------------------------       ---------------------------

NOTE:  PLEASE  DATE THIS  PROXY AND SIGN YOUR NAME  ABOVE  EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS
HEREON.  EXECUTORS,  ADMINISTRATORS,  TRUSTEES,  ETC.  SHOULD SO  INDICATE  WHEN
SIGNING.  IF THE  STOCKHOLDER IS A CORPORATION OR OTHER ENTITY,  THE FULL ENTITY
NAME SHOULD BE INSERTED AND THE PROXY SIGNED BY A DULY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ENTITY, INDICATING HIS OR HER TITLE OR CAPACITY.



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission