There was a time — the late 1980s, to be precise — when New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was a curiosity. Then Cloudy Bay arrived and turned it into a global obsession. Nearly four decades on, this is still the benchmark. The wine everyone else in Marlborough is measured against, whether they admit it or not.

The fruit comes from vineyards in the Wairau and Awatere Valleys, where the long, cool Marlborough days give the grapes an intensity you simply can't replicate further north. The Wairau brings the richness and tropical weight; the Awatere brings the razor-sharp acidity and mineral backbone. The 2024 vintage benefited from a dry, settled autumn following a warm growing season — ideal conditions for concentration and aromatic purity. It shows.

In the glass, it's pale straw with a greenish tinge. The nose hits you immediately — passionfruit and lime zest up front, then cut grass, gooseberry, a whisper of white nectarine. It smells like a Marlborough morning with the windows down. On the palate, it's bright and precise: citrus-driven, with a crisp mineral finish that pulls everything into focus. There's more texture here than many Sauvignons deliver — a faint creaminess from lees contact that gives it depth without losing the freshness. It's the kind of wine that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with anything complicated.

How to Serve

Chill well — 6–8°C is the sweet spot. Straight from the fridge is perfect. No decanting required, no ceremony needed. Open, pour, enjoy.

Food Pairings

Cloudy Bay and seafood is one of life's great uncomplicated pleasures — grilled prawns, ceviche, mussels, a simple piece of sea bass. It's also brilliant with Thai green curry, Vietnamese summer rolls, or anything with lime and chilli. Goat's cheese salad with walnuts. A bowl of pasta with pesto. This is a wine that flatters food without wrestling it.

Case Pricing

We offer case deals on Cloudy Bay — 6 or 12 bottles bring the per-bottle price down nicely. If you're stocking up for summer, a barbecue season, or simply maintaining a sensible house reserve, buying the case is the move.