An Evening with Cloudy Bay: Exceptional Wines and Island Cuisine at VOMO

Friday 13 November 2026 | The Rocks Restaurant

Some evenings are made memorable by the company, others by the setting. And then there are evenings where exceptional food, celebrated wines and the stories behind them come together to create something truly special.

On Friday 13 November, VOMO Island Resort invites guests to The Rocks Restaurant for an exclusive evening celebrating the renowned wines of Cloudy Bay, thoughtfully paired with an inspired menu showcasing the flavours and ingredients of Fiji.

Joining us for the occasion will be Cloudy Bay Winemaker, Dan Sorrel, who will guide guests through the evening, sharing the stories, inspiration and craftsmanship behind each featured wine.

Meet the Winemaker: Dan Sorrel

Dan’s journey into winemaking began somewhat unexpectedly. After nine years working in corporate banking in London, an encounter with the grape harvest in rural France sparked a change of direction and a newfound passion for wine.

Returning to New Zealand, Dan studied winemaking at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawke’s Bay, gaining practical experience with Vidal and Villa Maria before completing vintages across France, the United States and Australia.

He joined Cloudy Bay in 2015 and now works as Operations Winemaker, overseeing the laboratory and the day-to-day organisation of the winery’s cellar team.

With an intuitive approach to winemaking, Dan is passionate about the relationship between the vineyard and the winery, and the shared commitment required to create wines of distinction.

For Dan, great wines have three defining attributes: balance, elegance and personality.

Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to discover these qualities firsthand as Dan introduces each wine and shares insights into the people, places and processes behind the Cloudy Bay collection.

A Meeting of Marlborough and the Mamanucas

The culinary team at VOMO has created an exceptional multi-course degustation menu, bringing together the distinctive character of Cloudy Bay wines with the freshest ingredients and flavours of the South Pacific.

The experience begins with New Zealand Pacific oysters, accompanied by green papaya, cucumber, finger lime and a delicate ginger and coconut water dressing, paired with Cloudy Bay’s NV Pelorus Brut.

From there, the menu journeys through the flavours of the islands, with bluefin tuna crudo, chilled Fijian ota and goat’s cheese, and pan-seared unicorn fish, each thoughtfully matched to a different expression of Cloudy Bay’s celebrated wines.

A highlight of the evening will be butter-poached Fijian lobster, served with charred leek, coconut-lobster jus and a macadamia cassava tuile, accompanied by Cloudy Bay Chardonnay.

As the evening progresses, guests will enjoy a succession of beautifully composed dishes, including duck breast with confit croquette and baby beetroot, followed by sous vide Wagyu sirloin with dalo fondant, mushrooms and red wine jus.

These richer flavours will be complemented by two distinctive Pinot Noirs from Cloudy Bay, including the elegant 2021 Te Wāhi Pinot Noir from Central Otago.

To conclude, a decadent creation of dark chocolate and coconut, salted macadamia praline and warm Hennessy chocolate sauce will provide a fitting finale, accompanied by a Hennessy Cacao Espresso cocktail.

An Evening to Savour

Set against the natural beauty of VOMO, this special dinner is an invitation to slow down, explore exceptional wines and discover the creativity of our culinary team.

With Dan Sorrel sharing the stories behind the wines and each course revealing another expression of the flavours of Fiji, it promises to be a memorable celebration of two remarkable wine and food destinations.

Friday 13 November 2026
The Rocks Restaurant | VOMO Island Resort

An evening of exceptional wine, island cuisine and wonderful company.