EXHIBIT 10.16
                                 -------------


[LOGO]    Canandaigua Wine Company








March 10, 1997


Mr. Thomas S. Summer
2332 Bryden Rd.
Columbus, OH 43209

Dear Tom:

I am pleased to submit to you, the following  employment offer for a position at
Canandaigua  Wine Company,  Inc. (the  "Company").  As we discussed the position
would be Senior Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer  reporting to me,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

With respect to your compensation, the following describes the package:

1.  Starting  biweekly  salary of  $8,654.00,  subject to all  withholdings  and
deductions required by law.

2.  You will be eligible for a discretionary  bonus with a target of 45% of your
annualized  compensation  and a  maximum  amount  of  67.5%  of your  annualized
compensation.  The amount and specific terms of the bonus shall be determined by
the President and Chief Executive  Officer of the Company.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  in no event,  shall your bonus for this fiscal year  constitute less
than 30% of your earned base salary specified in Section 1 hereof.

3.  A grant of  50,000  options  to  purchase  Company  Class  A  stock  if your
employment  commences as provided in Section  10(i) or 40,000 of such options if
your employment commences as provided in Section 10(ii). These options will have
an  exercise  price as of the date of grant  which  shall be your  first  day of
employment  and shall be subject to the terms of Exhibit A attached  hereto.  If
the price of the stock is higher  on your  first day of  employment  than on the
date of your  execution  of this  Agreement,  the  number  of  options  shall be
increased by a fraction the  numerator of which is the stock price on your first
day of employment and the denominator of which is the stock price on the date of
your execution of this Agreement.  In such event,  the vesting  schedule will be
adjusted pro rata with the schedule in Exhibit A.

         Canandaigua Wine Company, Inc. 116 Buffalo Street, Canandaigua,
                              New York 14424-1086
 Telephone (716) 394-7900 / Telex 856762 (CDGWINE) / Corp. Fax (716) 394-6017 /
                           Winery Fax (716) 394-4839

<PAGE>

Mr. Thomas S. Summer
Page 2
March 10, 1997


Currently the Company  issues  options to senior  executives on a  discretionary
basis.  The  Company  is  considering  an  option  grant  plan  for  its  senior
executives.  This plan may contemplate the granting of options  equaling 125% of
annual  earned  salary  and bonus if any.  If,  during  your  employment  in the
capacity  herein  provided,  such a plan is  proposed to the Board and the Board
were to approve such a plan,  subject to all the terms and  conditions of such a
plan, it is currently contemplated that you would be eligible therefor.

4.  On your first day of  employment,  you will receive a $50,000  bonus (pretax
amount) subject to all withholdings and deductions  required by law. If you were
to  terminate  your  employment  with the  Company at any time  during the first
twelve month period of your  employment,  except under the conditions of Section
8(ii) or (iii) hereof, you will reimburse to the Company an amount  constituting
a percentage of the $50,000 calculated on a pretax basis equal to the percentage
of the period remaining in the twelve months.

5.  Participation in all existing  employee benefit plans as you become eligible
per the terms of such plans as amended,  added to or  discontinued  from time to
time in the sole  discretion  of the Company,  such as health  care,  disability
insurance, life insurance, profit sharing, 401K and stock purchase plan.

6.  You will be eligible for four (4) weeks vacation  during each  calendar year
until such time you are eligible for more vacation under our vacation  policy as
such policy is amended from time to time.

7.  Relocation  expenses will be reimbursed as per the Company's  most inclusive
option under its relocation policy.

8.  In the event that the Company (i) terminates your employment  without cause,
(ii) demotes you without cause resulting in your voluntary  resignation from the
Company's employment within 30 days thereof or (iii) materially  diminishes your
responsibilities  without cause resulting in your resignation from the Company's
employment within 30 days thereof,  the Company shall provide you with severance
compensation   ("Severance")  equal  to  your  then  current  base  compensation
(excluding  bonus) for a period of twelve months,  subject to your entering into
the  Company's  standard  form  of  Severance  Agreement.  In  addition  to  the
foregoing,  should  there be a change in control as defined in Section  16(i) or
(ii) of the Company's Stock Option and Stock  Appreciation  Right Plan resulting
in the  occurrence  of items (i),  (ii) or (iii)  above you will be  entitled to
receive the Severance, subject to your entering into the Company's standard form
of Severance Agreement.  For purposes hereof,  "cause" shall be defined as gross
insubordination, a criminal act of moral turpitude or theft.

         Canandaigua Wine Company, Inc. 116 Buffalo Street, Canandaigua,
                              New York 14424-1086
 Telephone (716) 394-7900 / Telex 856762 (CDGWINE) / Corp. Fax (716) 394-6017 /
                           Winery Fax (716) 394-4839

<PAGE>

Mr. Thomas S. Summer
Page 3
March 10, 1997


9.  This  offer is  subject  to the  terms of the  Canandaigua  Wine  Employment
Application  ("Application").  In the event there is any  inconsistency  between
this letter of  agreement  and the  Application,  the terms of this letter shall
govern.

10. You shall have the option to commence your  employment  with the Company on:
(i) April 9, 1997, or (ii) a later date not beyond April 23, 1997.

Lastly,  by executing this letter of agreement,  you  acknowledge and agree that
your  employment  with  the  Company  is at will and can be  terminated  with or
without  cause  and  with or  without  notice.  Notwithstanding  this,  any such
termination  without  cause  shall not affect the  Company's  obligations  under
Sections 3 and 8 hereof.  You further  understand  and agree that this letter of
agreement  constitutes the entire  agreement of the parties;  is governed by New
York State law; there are no other written or oral agreements of the parties and
that this letter of  agreement  cannot be modified or amended  except in writing
executed by you and the President of the Company.

We look forward to your joining the Company.

Sincerely,

CANANDAIGUA WINE COMPANY, INC.

/s/ Richard Sands

Richard Sands
President

AGREED TO:

/s/ Thomas S. Summer
--------------------------
Thomas S. Summer

Att.

RS/kjm



         Canandaigua Wine Company, Inc. 116 Buffalo Street, Canandaigua,
                              New York 14424-1086
 Telephone (716) 394-7900 / Telex 856762 (CDGWINE) / Corp. Fax (716) 394-6017 /
                           Winery Fax (716) 394-4839