Lunch on the water has always been a winning concept, but renowned New Zealand winery Cloudy Bay is taking it far more literally with the next instalment of its Wonderscape event series.
Launched in 2022, Wonderscape is all about entertaining while immersed in nature. But let’s be clear, we’re not talking marshmallows around a campfire. Instead, think exquisite food and wine, visionary table design and unexpected locations around the world.
This year’s flight of fancy takes place at the Cloudy Bay Shed, the label’s luxurious cellar door in Central Otago, an hour’s drive east of Queenstown. A fine-dining experience that appears to float at the centre of the vineyard’s lake, it’s Cloudy Bay’s most ambitious offering yet, and a major logistical undertaking for a one-off event. Although, that’s not strictly true. Ahead of the long lunch’s ticket release, Cloudy Bay held a preview for close friends of the brand, Gourmet Traveller included.
The scene was magical. Surrounded by vines heavy with fruit, under a deep blue autumn sky, the table was like an apparition hovering on the water’s surface. Dressed in linen and styled with moss, pebbles and calla lilies by interiors nobility Steve Cordony. it seemed a shame to disrupt the picture-perfect display. Or could it be that guests were lingering at the lake’s edge because of nerves? Thankfully, any qualms about leaving terra firma were quickly soothed by the very robust platform positioned just beneath the rippling water — not to mention the supplied gumboots.
Once seated, all that was left to do was await the graceful swish of the servers as they ferried the culinary creations across with barely a splash.
Showcasing superb local ingredients, menu highlights included crayfish with white peach, butternut pumpkin and preserved lemon; and backstrap of Fiordland wapiti — which, for those not familiar, is elk — with pine nut, parsnip and foraged elderberry. Naturally, each dish was expertly partnered with a Cloudy Bay drop, running the gamut from Pelorus sparkling, made in the time-honoured méthode traditionelle, through its famous sauvignon blanc line-up to the spicy Te Wāhi pinot noir.
If the fabulous dress rehearsal is anything to go by, the real thing will be a feast for the senses; an outstanding dining experience against a breathtaking natural backdrop. With just 30 seats at the table on Saturday, 12 April, tickets are extremely limited and likely to sell out fast. Still, for anyone who misses out, this unique event might just be the inspiration your next dinner party has been waiting for.
Tickets to Cloudy Bay Wonderscape 2025 on Saturday, 12 April are available now via the Cloudy Bay website.
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