Cloudy Bay Vineyards was established in 1985 by Cape Mentelle, the Western Australian winery, which today is a subsidiary of champagne house Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin. The company farms 140 hectares of vines at three carefully selected sites. Vineyards planted in 1986 surround the winery in the Wairau Valley at Rapaura, with additional plantings at nearby Renwick and in the Brancott Valley, in the southern foothills. Five long term contract growers also work closely with Cloudy Bay. The main varieties grown are sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir with lesser quantities of riesling and gewurztraminer. The average annual crush is 1200 tonnes. The winery takes its name from the bay at the eastern extremity of the Wairau Valley. It was named Cloudy Bay by Captain Cook on his voyage to New Zealand in 1770. Visit the Cloudy Bay website.