Cloudy Bay Vineyards

Alice Choi

2 weeks ago

This was my second visit to Cloudy Bay (Blenheim) and I enjoyed the wine tasting just as much as the first time! Due to the rain, I couldn’t start my cycling trip as planned, so I decided to do the first wine tasting session instead. It was lovely and peaceful with hardly anyone around. This time, the host was a New Zealander, which made the explanations much easier for me to follow compared with my previous visit. Wine tasting at 10 am might sound a little early, but the wines here are absolutely exceptional! I started with Pelorus Vintage paired with warm olives, and although I’m not usually a fan of sparkling wine, it was fantastic. I had such a relaxing time enjoying the beautiful wines, wandering around the indoor and outdoor spaces, and soaking up the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the Jack’s Raw Bar was closed this time. I absolutely loved the food on my previous visit, so that was a little disappointing. I’d highly recommend doing the wine tasting first, then enjoying some food paired with your favourite wines. Definitely a place I’d love to return to again.

Mackayla Reitsma

5 months ago

My husband and I recently did the Private Tour for 2 with Lavinia while visiting New Zealand on our honeymoon. Lavinia's passion for storytelling and the history of the winery and the entire winemaking process truly made this experience all worth it. We got to drive around all of the vineyards and she explained the ins & outs of how to make a tasty Sauvignon Blanc. After the educational tour, we finally got to taste the wines we had just heard so much about. In the States, we can really only find the Sauvignon Blanc, so trying all of their wines was a real treat! We loved them so much, we ended up ordering 9 bottles to ship back to us - and we just got them today, packaged beautifully! Hands down one of the best winery experiences we've ever encountered. We will continue to buy whatever Cloudy Bay wines we can find in the U.S. Another note - Saku treated us to a little dessert to celebrate our honeymoon which was a nice touch!

Jared Paranihi

6 months ago

We had such an incredible experience at Cloudy Bay Vineyards. The wine tasting was exceptional, and the team were so knowledgeable,we learned a lot about the wines, the region, and what makes this brand so iconic. Everything felt really well thought out, from the setting to the way each wine was presented. It wasn’t just a tasting, it was an experience. Highly recommend if you’re in Marlborough, a must-do for any wine lover. 🍷

Jeff Haverlack

7 months ago

Cloudy Bay is probably the most well known of the Marlborough wines, and it reminded me a lot of Napa/Sonoma in America. The environment is definitely upscale and perhaps a little pretentious, but we found the wines to be very good and the server to be friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely not a relaxed tasting room experience but definitely one to try if you’re looking for superb wines and the knowledge behind them. Prices are higher than most, including the tasting fees. The grounds are beautiful. It’s just a contrast to most of the other wineries in the area in feel. Not bad, just different and upscale

vicetravellers

8 months ago

Cloudy Bay Vineyards is an exceptional experience from start to finish. The wines are outstanding, and the service is genuinely attentive without ever feeling forced. A real highlight was the morning drive in the old Land Rover called Dave. It was informative, relaxed, and added so much character to the visit. If you have the chance to do it, I highly recommend it. The estate itself is beautiful and very well maintained, with a great atmosphere for tasting and spending time. The restaurant is also worth mentioning. Thoughtful dishes, well paired with their wines, and a perfect place to slow down and enjoy Marlborough properly. They also have a great selection of gifts and bottles to take home, which makes it hard to leave empty-handed. Overall, a must-visit winery in the region and an experience that feels both premium and welcoming.