Founder of Cloudy Bay and Cape Mentelle Steps Down

David Hohnen leaves his position as CEO of Veuve Clicquot's table wine holdings, which also include Mounadam.

Bob Campbell
Posted: July 30, 2003

David Hohnen, the founder of New Zealand's most prominent winery, Cloudy Bay, has resigned from his position as CEO of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin's table wine subsidiaries, which include Cloudy Bay, Cape Mentelle and Mountadam Vineyards. Hohnen, who owns vineyards in Australia, said he is leaving to pursue family interests in viticulture and farming.

Hohnen's place will be taken by Tony Jordan, who will retain his current position as CEO of Domaine Chandon Australia. Domaine Chandon and Veuve Clicquot are both owned by the Moët Hennessy—Louis Vuitton luxury goods group (LVMH).

Hohnen founded Cape Mentelle in Australia's Margaret River region in 1970 and Cloudy Bay in New Zealand in 1985. Under his management, both wineries have earned international recognition for the quality of their wines.

Hohnen sold a majority interest in both wineries to Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin in the early 1990s and has since relinquished his remaining shares. The Mountadam winery, based in South Australia's Eden Valley, was added to the group in 2000.

Jordan plans to oversee the group from his current base at Domaine Chandon in the Yarra Valley. "I will take the baton from David and keep running the same race," Jordan said. "Each winery makes top-quality wine. There are no plans for change, at least in the short term."

Read past news about Cloudy Bay: