Cloudy Bay Sees Strong Demand At New Zealand Wine’s Top End

With New Zealand wines continuing to make solid gains among U.S. consumers, Moët Hennessy-owned Cloudy Bay says demand is on the rise at the category’s top end. The core Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc retails at $35, with 85,000 cases imported for the 2022 vintage, up from 77,000 cases a year earlier. The U.S. portfolio also includes smaller amounts of Marlborough Pinot Noir $40 and the upscale Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand Te Koko ($69).

“We see U.S. demand continue to climb, especially with the release of our new 2022 Sauvignon Blanc—Cloudy Bay was the fastest growing Sauvignon Blanc over $20 in 2022,” senior winemaker Nikolai St. George tells SND. “For many, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc was their introduction to New Zealand wine and remains their go-to bottle. The U.S. is one of our most valued markets.”

With the 2022 vintage, Cloudy Bay’s core Sauvignon Blanc received new packaging. “The goal of the rebrand was to return to our brand roots, creating a look that pays homage to our heritage while also giving the bottle a uniquely modern and sophisticated look,” says St. George. Moving forward, the brand’s initiatives include continuing to expand on its visitor facilities at its wineries in Marlborough and Central Otago, and also furthering its sustainability efforts in line with its goal to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Tagged : Cloudy Bay, New Zealand

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