Nick's Article: Cloudy Bay Heads South to Central Otago

Cloudy Bay has been eyeing off Central Otago for a while and the news is through that they have moved to purchase a prime piece of established vineyard in the region. 

The winemaking team has already played with various parcels of fruit soured from Central Otago vineyards, the research mission being realised in a bottling of several different regional components under the Te Wahi label. The mission to make more of a play in the high-profile New Zealand pinot noir space has been on top of their agenda for a few years now.

A section of Tom and Jan Pinckney’s Northburn Station Vineyard is under purchase agreement, along with the established cellar door and event buildings that have played host to many tastings, dinners and regional wine showcases.

Set along the eastern edge of Lake Dunstan just opposite Lowburn, Northburn Station covers a total of 13,500 hectares and Cloudy Bay’s purchase covers the established vineyard and associated buildings. There is no winery on the property as it stands and the sale will require New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Office approval to be finalized.

Vineyard aside, there are very few venues like this in the region and the central location means that this will continue to be a focal point of activity in whatever guise the new owners decide to utilize them.

This is a move that undeniably establishes the Cloudy Bay name as one that is not only a leader in the New Zealand sauvignon blanc space (easily the most high-profile), but also as a producer that must be on the radar of New Zealand pinot noir fans.

It also offers flow on benefits to the region, as Cloudy Bay’s high profile will increase the reach and awareness of Central Otago as a source of high quality pinot noir.

Cloudy Bay is under the Moët Hennessy Estates and Wines umbrella, which is in turn owned by LVMH. Interestingly, LVMH almost simultaneously announced the acquisition of the Grand Cru-based Domaine du Lambrays in Burgundy’s Morey-Saint-Denis appellation. Locking down sources of high quality pinot noir is clearly a priority.

Nick Stock is a renowned Australian wine writer, author, presenter and filmmaker who reports on his worldwide wine tasting experiences for JamesSuckling.com.