Just three months after its introduction in the United States, Canandaigua Wine Company's Monkey Bay has become America's top-selling New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

"We had a good feeling about Monkey Bay when we introduced it in January," said Tim Peters. "However, its sales -- and the enthusiasm with which it's been embraced -- have exceeded our expectations. It's especially remarkable given that sauvignon blanc is traditionally a warm-weather wine, and Monkey Bay leapt to success during one of the snowiest East Coast winters in years."

Marc Jonna of Whole Foods Market described it as "a wine customers can't wait to taste," explaining that it was a number one seller for the first two months of 2005.

Canandaigua Wine created Monkey Bay -- whose whimsical label was designed by Harkness Walker Design, creator of Australia's wildly successful Yellow Tail label -- to address the growing thirst of American wine lovers for New Zealand's fresh, zingy sauvignon blancs.

The company's affiliation with Nobilo Wine Group, New Zealand's leading sauvignon blanc producer, afforded access to choice fruit from Marlborough's renowned Wairau Valley. The region's cool maritime climate, long, sunny days, and well-drained gravel soils produce grapes with rich tropical fruit, racy herbal tones and crisp acidity.

"With Monkey Bay, we're able to offer consumers an outstanding example of the Marlborough style at a very attractive suggested retail price of $9.99," Peters says. "The wine exudes the zesty, food-friendly qualities lovers of Marlborough sauvignon blanc prize."