The Wineries of Waiheke Island

 Waiheke Island, just 35 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland, has the perfect micro climate for growing grapes and producing good wine. To date there are around 30 wineries on this pristine island, all enjoying the advantages of rolling hillsides, fresh clean sea breezes and plentiful sunshine. It is a wine lovers paradise.

It is no secret that my family and I love Waiheke Island.  I have holidayed there since I was a child and have had wonderful holidays on the island with my family for the last 5 years. Just 35 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland it is the perfect holiday location for a family with young children, and for us there is no lengthy car journey for a child prone to car sickness.

We have our holidays pretty well worked out;  beach all morning so the children can swim and play to their hearts content, then home for a rest and then off to visit wineries in the afternoon, where the adults taste wine and the children have the rare treat of a soft drink. We have visited many wineries on the island however in this blog I will list just five of our favourites, in no particular order. 

BATCH WINERY - THOMAS'S BACH, VINEYARD, RESTAURANT AND CELLAR DOOR

This is the highest vineyard on the island with spectacular views in all directions and it has a rural, laid back ambiance which really appeals to me. It is a short hike up to the trig at the highest point of the island for a stunning expansive view. There are plenty of options for seating both indoor and out, including a greenhouse for private groups. A special Batch bus runs from the ferry to the winery $12pp. The restaurant offers a la carte, shared platters and high teas.  There is ample space for children to run and play outside and a well used Jenga set for the whole family to play with. A wine tasting is $20 for 4 wines. www.batchwinery.com

Left and above: Enjoying the sun, wine and jenga at Batch

MUDBRICK VINEYARD AND RESTAURANT

When you approach Mudbrick with its warm, mellow mudbrick buildings, brick pathways winding between olive trees and lavender beds,  lush and productive kitchen gardens you would swear you were in Italy.  It is truly beautiful. Behind the winery buildings are terraced areas where you can lie back on a bean bag, sip wine, and enjoy the glorious views towards the city. What better way to spend a lazy day? Mudbrick offer 3 different wine tastings depending on the type of wines you wish to taste. $11, $15, $20, each tasting consists of 4 wines. It is popular as a wedding venue, I have attended a wedding there and it was faultless. The restaurant offers a la carte meals, platters and snacks and the cellar door also has a small shop which sells a variety of goods and is always worth a browse. www.mudbrick.co.nz

Above: Mudbrick

TANTALUS WINERY AND ALIBI BREWERY

Established in 1998 Tantalus  has an excellent restaurant serving top class meals with views out over the vineyard and down the valley.  There is a range of seating both indoors and out and places to relax in the garden under sun umbrellas. In the garden you will find a Jenga set to occupy both adults and children. The winery is lovely and I have enjoyed both meals and wine tastings there, (there are two different tastings, $15 for 4 wines)  but my particular love is Alibi Brewery located downstairs where you can have a beer paddle for $12. I love the cave like, old brick ambiance of Alibi. I could happily spend a winter's afternoon by the fire there in its cosy old world atmosphere.  Tantalus prides itself on being eco friendly and  also produces its own honey.  www.tantalus.co.nz

Above: Tantalus and Alibi

TE MOTU VINEYARD

A stroll up a pretty tree lined lane brings you to Te Motu. Founded in 1988 by Terry Dunleavy, a prominent wine critic, Te Motu specialises in Cabernet Savignon and Merlot. This is a smaller more rustic venue but every bit as good as the previous three. This is a winery worth visiting if you enjoy good wine in a simple setting. I enjoy its lack of pretension.  Te Motu has an excellent restaurant where many of the ingredients used are grown on site.  There is also a courtyard for wine tastings  ($20 for 4 wines) which can be enjoyed with a tasty platter. Te Motu wines have received many awards at wine shows. Today three generations of the Dunleavy family work at the winery, a great testament to the vision of their patriarch, Terry.   www.temotu.co.nz

WILD ON WAIHEKE

This is the ideal winery if you want to spend some more active time. It is a combination of Wild Estate Winery, Waiheke Island Brewery and multiple activities. On offer are archery, clay pigeon shooting, sandbags, petanque, noughts and crosses, a giant chess set, a trampoline and a playground making it the perfect place to take the whole family from adults to toddlers.  What this winery lacks in beauty, compared to others, it makes up for with its activities.  It is a favourite choice with corporates for team building days. The restaurant, which opens out onto the vineyard, specialises in sharing dishes, platters and pizzas but also has a la carte available. The tasting room under the restaurant is cool and spacious $20 for 5 wine tastes and $20 for a paddle of 6 beers. Our little ones always ask to go to Wild on Waiheke, they love the activities.   www.wildonwaiheke.co.nz

Below: Fun times at Wild on Waiheke. Note: those glasses aren't all mine!

Tantalus, Te Motu and Wild on Waiheke adjoin each other in the Onetangi Valley making it easy to stroll between them.  Stoneyridge Winery is also nearby but since I haven't been there for a while I will go there and write about it, and other Waiheke wineries, another time.  Suffice to say it was absolutely lovely when I went there a few years ago. 

There are various options for visiting the wineries.  You can get the local bus to Onetangi which will take you to some of the wineries, you can buy a Hop on Hop off bus pass or you can buy a combination ferry/bus pass $68 per adult.  Special wine tours are also available. 

NOTE: We always select one of us to be the non drinking designated driver.

NOTE: Before visiting any wineries on the island visit their website to check their opening hours.