Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc Swings up to #1; New Brand is #1 Selling New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in the U.S. and #1 Selling SKU for Whole Foods Market

Business Wire, April 12, 2005

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. -- 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(1). An instant favorite with retailers and consumers alike, Monkey Bay is also the top-selling SKU in Whole Foods Market, the world's leading natural and organic supermarket.

Monkey Bay's swift success in the market may explain why the mischievous green monkey on the label of this delicious, affordable sauvignon blanc from Marlborough appears to be sporting a sly smile.

"We had a good feeling about Monkey Bay when we introduced it in January," says Canandaigua Wine's Tim Peters, Monkey Bay's marketing director. "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, National Buyer for Whole Foods Market, has experienced the phenomenal success of Monkey Bay firsthand: "(Monkey Bay is) a wine customers can't wait to taste. It was Whole Foods Market's #1 selling wine for the months of January and February, 2005. Go figure, a Sauvignon Blanc overtakes the sales of the great reds like Merlot, Cabernet, Shiraz and even the 'Sideways' effect of Pinot Noir."

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 latter is near Marlborough's famed Cloudy Bay, of which Monkey Bay is a part.) 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."

A whimsical name, a cheeky green monkey and a great value proposition...add it all together, and you've got some serious Monkey business.

Monkey Bay is distributed by Canandaigua Wine Company, the popular-priced and premium wine producer of Constellation Wines U.S., which is part of Constellation Wines, the world's largest wine business, an operating division of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B) ("CBI"). Constellation Wines U.S. encompasses three of CBI's U.S. wine businesses: Canandaigua Wine Company, Pacific Wine Partners, and North Lake Wines. Leading brands include Alice White, Arbor Mist, Cook's, Covey Run, Inglenook, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Talus Collection, Vendange, and Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi.

(1) Based on IRI data for 4 weeks ending Mar 20, 2005.