This article was made possible by Cloudy Bay and East 33

Most Australians will agree there are few greater of the simple pleasures than an afternoon spent with a dozen freshly shucked Sydney Rock Oysters and the perfect bottle of cold white. Just the thought of that first briny slurp giving way to the rich creaminess of the oyster’s body, chased down by a chill Sauvignon Blanc or bone dry sparkling can evoke a physical response.

Matter of fact, as they say, I’ve got it now.

This summer artisan winemakers Cloudy Bay and oyster purveyors East 33 are collaborating on a series of luxurious experiences, inspired by their shared commitment to provenance and craftsmanship, which celebrate that exact nexus of oyster and wine.

The curators

Cloudy Bay, in case you’ve been living under a large rock with no restaurants or wifi, is one of the top New Zealand wine producers responsible for the unquenchable thirst the world developed for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc over the past decade or so.

With vineyards spread between two iconic wine regions, Marlborough and Central Otago, the winemakers work in partnership with nature to translate the pure, aromatic flavours of NZ to their gorgeous Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a sparkling wine, Pelorus.

Back on this side of the Tasman Sea, East 33 is a collective of Sydney Rock Oyster growers dedicated to pioneering the world’s best oyster culture by empowering the people and landscape responsible.

For the uninitiated, there are two types of oysters in the world, Pacific oysters and Rock oysters. Pacifics, which are found all over the world, take about twelve to eighteen months to grow. But our delicious Sydney Rock oysters, on the other hand, take around three years and there are only forty one locations on the planet where they’re happy to grow – and they’re all in New South Wales.

The longer the oysters have in the water the more they take on the dense, rich flavor characteristics of wherever they’re grown. They’re also far more rarified, with one Rock Oyster to every 36,000 pacific.

Based in the Wallis Lake, Port Stephens and Manning River regions of NSW, and supported by more than 130 years of collective farming knowledge thriving on the east coast of Australia – latitude 33 degrees, from which the collective drew their name.

Their heavenly union, just in time for summer

In a shared celebration of the art of cultivation, the winemakers of Cloudy Bay and the oyster farmers of East 33 have worked on a series of unforgettable, crafted food and wine experiences.

Wine and oyster connoisseurs can take a journey to the magical oyster farms of Wallis Lake, enjoy glorious waterside Cloudy Bay and East 33 dining packages at Boathouse restaurants, and an at-home experience for entertaining…or just a very good afternoon on your own.

Natural Wonders Experience: Cloudy Bay and East 33 will launch their inaugural Natural Wonders expedition to the heartland of the Sydney Rock Oyster, Wallis Lake in January, 2022. Guests will be taken by seaplane for an unforgettable, hands-on oyster shucking and tasting amongst the pristine waters where they are grown, donning waders and hearing from families who have been cultivating these delicacies for generations.

An in-water dining table and a glass of Cloudy Bay’s Pelorus Sparkling is followed by a bespoke oyster-inspired three course lunch with matching Cloudy Bay wines at Thirty Three Degrees overlooking the marina on Wallis Lake. A seaplane return to Sydney Harbour completes the day.

Details: There will be two exclusive Natural Wonder Experiences taking place on the 7th and 14th of January 2022 for a total of 8 guests each at a price of $1,499 excluding GST & booking fees.
Bookings: can be made online

Natural Wonders at The Boathouse: Lucky patrons will enjoy the irresistible luxury of a dozen Sydney Rock Oysters with a bottle of Cloudy Bay’s highly anticipated new release 2021 Sauvignon Blanc or Cloudy Bay Pelorus Sparkling, aperitif style sparkling wine for $120. At hero venues The Boathouse Rose Bay, guests will enjoy a touch of theatre on balmy summer days and nights, with live oyster shuckers serving East 33 treasures on the shell as sommeliers share the delights of the new Cloudy Bay vintage.

Details: The Boathouse Rose Bay, The Boathouse Hotel Patonga and Barrenjoey House Palm Beach.

Bookings: With the option to dine in or takeaway, details on offers and bookings are available online

Natural Wonders at Home: This summer, bring something special to the table with East 33 and Cloudy Bay’s two exceptional home delivery packages. The Classic Pack is priced at $119 and features two dozen hand-selected Sydney Rock Oysters and a bottle of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2021. The fresh, vibrant citrus characters of this Sauvignon Blanc marry perfectly with the salinity and mineral notes of East 33’s Sydney Rock Oysters, and are the ideal accompaniment to your next long lunch party at home this Summer.

The Premium Pack is $149 and includes two dozen hand-selected Sydney Rock Oysters and a bottle of Cloudy Bay’s Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc 2019. With its mellow oak and mineral characters, vibrant acidity and freshness, the Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc marries beautifully with the depth and complexity of East 33’s Sydney Rock Oysters to produce the ultimate expression of this magnificent food-wine pairing.

Details: Home delivery is available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and can be ordered online

Where to begin…

To launch the partnership, @east33sydney and @cloudybay have collaborated to create a series of beautiful short films shot on location amongst the oyster farms and vineyards, featuring the farmers and artisan craftspeople who cultivate and harvest these wonders of nature.

Cloudy Bay Wines are crafted to be enjoyed responsibly. You must be over the age of 18 to purchase.