Cloudy Bay

Inseparable from the rise of the great New World wines, Cloudy Bay embodies the perfect blend of a pioneering vision and a commitment to creating great wines.

David Hohnen and Kevin Judd: the pioneers of the Marlborough region

To understand the origins of Cloudy Bay Vineyards, we must go back to 1985. At that time, the Marlborough region, situated at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, was still a largely unknown wine-growing area to the global wine industry. It was here that the pioneering vision of the estate’s founder, David Hohnen, came into play. Already recognised in Australia as the founder of Cape Mentelle in Margaret River, this entrepreneur immediately recognised the exceptional potential of these New Zealand terroirs for northern grape varieties. Convinced that the local cool climate could give rise to a completely new style of white wine, he decided to embark on the venture.

The first vintage, released in 1985, was a bold move. As the estate did not yet have its own facilities or vineyards, it relied on the talent of winemaker Kevin Judd. It was he who orchestrated this legendary first vintage, vinifying grapes purchased from local contract growers with surgical precision. This first attempt immediately proved to be a masterstroke: the aromatic intensity and vibrancy of this wine astonished Anglo-Saxon critics and instantly propelled the Cloudy Bay brand onto the international stage.

Cloudy Bay’s home is in the heart of the Wairau Valley, the historic sub-region and one of the finest in the Marlborough region. Geologically, this area was formed on ancient glacial river beds. The brand’s historic vineyards are set on unique, well-drained soils, consisting of deep gravel, rounded pebbles and sandy silt on the surface. This geological structure is crucial: it prevents waterlogging, forces the vine roots to reach deep into the soil to draw up nutrients, and, during the night, releases the heat stored during the day.

The estate’s aromatic profile stems directly from a very specific climatic equation:

• Exceptional sunshine: Marlborough enjoys one of the highest levels of sunshine in New Zealand (often exceeding 2,400 hours a year), promoting continuous photosynthesis and optimal phenolic ripeness of the grapes.
• A cool, maritime climate: nestled between the mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean, the valley is swept by constant sea breezes that moderate daily temperatures.
• Significant daily temperature variations: hot, bright days are immediately followed by particularly cool nights.

This night-time temperature contrast limits the breakdown of malic acid in the grapes. It is precisely this phenomenon that preserves the wine’s sharp, natural and vibrant acidity, whilst developing an aromatic profile of rare purity, ranging from passion fruit and ripe citrus to subtle hints of cut grass.

Who owns Cloudy Bay?

Today, Cloudy Bay is owned by none other than the world leader in luxury, the LVMH Group (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). The estate joined this prestigious ‘Wines and Spirits’ division in the early 2000s, a move that marked a strategic turning point for the New Zealand estate. By aligning itself with the giants of Champagne and Bordeaux’s classified growths, Cloudy Bay wine has taken on a whole new dimension. This alliance enables the wines to cross all borders, ensuring lasting global visibility. Whether in Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, the strongholds of haute cuisine in Tokyo or private clubs in New York, Cloudy Bay has established itself as an essential choice. The history of the Cloudy Bay winery is therefore closely linked to that of excellence on an international stage.

Whilst the estate has built its international reputation on the pure and vibrant expression of a premier grape variety, its expertise now extends to a highly diverse range.

The legendary Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc: the global benchmark

The Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is the estate’s flagship wine, the wine that sparked the New Zealand wine revolution. Regularly hailed by the international press as a global benchmark for the grape variety, this premium white wine stands out for its remarkably crisp aromatic profile. On the nose, it reveals an intense and complex bouquet interweaving notes of passion fruit, pink grapefruit, lime zest and subtle herbaceous hints of boxwood or sun-dried tomato. On the palate, it reveals a perfect balance between a lively, almost crystalline acidity and a lovely, full-bodied fruitiness.

Te Koko Cloudy Bay: the sublime and complex expression of Sauvignon

A true technical gem from the estate, the Te Koko Cloudy Bay cuvée offers a completely original and revolutionary take on Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Fermentation takes place entirely using indigenous yeasts (naturally present on the grapes’ bloom) in French oak barrels, a moderate proportion of which are new. The wine is then aged for an extended period on fine lees, accompanied by partial malolactic fermentation designed to soften the grape variety’s natural liveliness.

This technical approach gives Te Koko Cloudy Bay an intense golden colour and a complex nose characterised by aromas of beeswax, toasted brioche, nuts and candied citrus. On the palate, the contrast is striking: the oak blends harmoniously with a rich, creamy and velvety texture, whilst retaining, in the background, that crisp, saline acidity that is the hallmark of the Wairau Valley terroir.

The estate’s expertise in the Marlborough region is not limited to Sauvignon Blanc wines; it is applied with the same high standards to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Cloudy Bay Chardonnay stands out as a truly great white wine for fine dining, characterised by its freshness and balance. Sourced from a selection of plots with deep sedimentary soils, it undergoes barrel fermentation and rigorous ageing on the lees. The result is a mineral, fresh and perfectly balanced white wine, where notes of white-fleshed fruits (peach and pear) combine with delicate hints of toasted almond and fresh butter, without ever masking the terroir’s mineral liveliness.

As for red wine, the Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir demonstrates the estate’s ability to master Burgundy’s premier grape variety on the soils of the Wairau Valley. Vinified using gentle maceration to extract silky tannins, then aged in French oak barrels, it boasts a luminous ruby colour. The nose opens with a highly refined aromatic palette, dominated by ripe black fruits (black cherry and blackberry) and plum, complemented by notes of sweet spices, forest floor and subtle roasted aromas. On the palate, the structure is full-bodied yet utterly elegant, underpinned by velvety tannins and a lingering freshness.

The estate’s pursuit of excellence has taken it beyond the borders of Marlborough to explore another exceptional terroir in New Zealand: the Central Otago region, situated further south. It was from this exploration that the prestigious cuvée Te Wāhi Cloudy Bay was born.

Meaning ‘the place’ in the Māori language, Te Wāhi embodies the fusion of the winery’s expertise and the world’s southernmost vineyard. Unlike the softer, fruitier profile of Marlborough’s red wines, this cuvée is the result of a blend from two high-altitude vineyards (Northburn and Calvert), characterised by very ancient schist and loess soils, in an extreme continental climate.

On tasting, Cloudy Bay’s Te Wāhi immediately captivates with its deep, dark colour. Its complex nose opens with subtle notes of violet, wild berries and dark spices. On the palate, the wine displays perfectly controlled power, underpinned by a delicate mineral structure, flavours of black plum and a lively acidity that brings remarkable freshness. The finish, precise and exceptionally long-lasting, testifies to the impressive ageing potential of this great signature Pinot Noir.

Treating yourself to a bottle from the Cloudy Bay cellar guarantees a world-class standard of premium wine. For curious palates who enjoy venturing off the beaten track and discovering single-varietal wines from different terroirs, this is an opportunity to explore wines from around the world, safe in the knowledge that you’ll be discovering tried-and-tested favourites. At Vinatis, we’re committed to offering you fair prices for these exceptional vintages, which are regularly praised by the international press. Cloudy Bay wines are priced within a range from just under £30 to a little over double that amount.