Cloudy Bay #139
"Quality is Our Obsession"
Each vintage from Cloudy Bay is crafted with uncompromising attention to detail – a philosophy that reflects the exceptional quality of its vineyards. Yet beyond the wines themselves, the team’s deepest commitment is to protecting the place they proudly call home.
As a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, Cloudy Bay continuously advances responsible viticulture. The estate operates in two key regions – Marlborough and Central Otago – with organic farming already established in Central Otago and progressively expanding across selected Marlborough vineyard blocks.
Sunny Treasures of Cloudy Bay
Founded in 1985 by David Hohnen and Kevin Judd, Cloudy Bay quickly gained international recognition when its first Sauvignon Blanc helped place New Zealand firmly on the global wine map. The winery joined Veuve Clicquot in 1990 and later became part of LVMH. What began as a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc pioneer has evolved into a diverse and refined portfolio, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pelorus méthode traditionnelle, the barrel-fermented Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc, and Te Wāhi – an elegant Central Otago Pinot Noir sourced from select southern vineyards.
It’s Better to Experience Once
To truly understand a wine, one must visit the place where it is born, meet the people behind it, and feel their passion firsthand. Cloudy Bay warmly welcomes visitors to both Marlborough and Central Otago, offering immersive wine and гастрономические experiences.
Marlborough – The Heart of Cloudy Bay
Sunny Marlborough remains the spiritual home of the winery and its Cellar Door. Framed by the Richmond Ranges – the inspiration behind the iconic label – the estate farms 163 vineyard parcels alongside 65 grower blocks. The diverse soils, influenced by proximity to the Wairau River, combine beautifully with the maritime climate to shape Cloudy Bay’s signature expressive style.
Guests visiting Marlborough can enjoy curated tastings and memorable seasonal dining experiences at the Cellar Door, including the popular Jack’s Raw Bar during the summer months and comforting shared lunches throughout winter.
Central Otago – Purity and Precision
In Central Otago, two distinctive vineyards define the house Pinot Noir style. Calvert in Bannockburn, with its loamy and silty soils, produces wines of depth and silkiness, while Northburn’s rocky glacial terrain yields structured and intense expressions.
The elegant Cloudy Bay Shed, located between the Northburn vineyard and Lake Dunstan near Cromwell, offers a refined tasting and dining destination. In summer, guests relax on open terraces with panoramic views; in winter, fireplaces create a warm, intimate atmosphere.
Beyond the Glass: Signature Experiences
Cloudy Bay continues to redefine wine tourism through imaginative, high-end experiences. One of the most talked-about recent concepts was Wonderscape – an extraordinary floating dining experience set directly on the waters of Central Otago. Designed by Steve Cordony, the setting blended natural textures, local botanicals, and minimalist elegance to create the sensation of dining suspended between water and sky.
The menu, created by chef Tom Hishon together with Cloudy Bay’s culinary team, celebrated premium regional ingredients such as Central Otago peaches, Bluff oysters, and Fiordland wapiti venison. Each course was meticulously paired with the estate’s wines – from Pelorus sparkling to Sauvignon Blanc, Te Koko, and Te Wāhi Pinot Noir – culminating in a refined dessert served with Founders’ Cellar Northburn Rosé.
With strictly limited seating, the experience sold out rapidly, further reinforcing Cloudy Bay’s reputation for innovation in wine hospitality.
The Art of Entertaining
The winery also continues to inspire audiences beyond the vineyard through its creative lifestyle series The Art of Entertaining – The Festive Season. Featuring personalities such as Kate Spiers, Melissa Norton, Eugenia Diaz, and Steve Cordony, the project shares elegant ideas for hosting, seasonal cooking, and wine pairing – reinforcing Cloudy Bay’s role not only as a producer but as a curator of lifestyle and hospitality culture.
A Legacy That Continues to Evolve
Marking four decades of winemaking excellence, Cloudy Bay recently unveiled a landmark Sauvignon Blanc vintage – a release that once again highlighted the estate’s pioneering role in shaping New Zealand’s global wine reputation. Recognized by the Wine Travel Awards as Brand: The Visiting Card of the Country, the winery continues to set benchmarks in both wine quality and wine tourism.
Today, Cloudy Bay stands as one of New Zealand’s most influential wine ambassadors, inviting travelers from around the world to discover the landscapes, people, and philosophy behind its iconic wines.
