Waiheke is often affectionately referred to as ‘wine-heke’. And with over 30 different vineyards, with many of them open for tastings - you definitely are spoiled for choice with the wine on the island. On the island you will find 27 different types of vines, these include merlot, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. Let’s discover all the different, amazing wineries that are available on Waiheke.
Come and discover the best of Waiheke: A wine lover’s paradise.
Waiheke is often affectionately referred to as ‘wine-heke’. And with over 30 different island vineyards, with many of them open for tastings - you definitely are spoiled for choice with the wine on the island. Wherever you set up camp, or wherever you roam off to, there will be some fine grape selections to get your taste buds reeling. And with the many stunning landscapes that exist throughout Waiheke, you’ll be sure to have a gorgeous view to cherish as you sip your wine in the sun. Let’s discover all the different, amazing wineries that are available on Waiheke.
Stonyridge
Stonyridge is an impressive vineyard based in the olive groves of Onetangi. It’s one of the oldest vineyards on the island, brought to life by the watchful eye of Stephen White, who has passionately refined his wine over the years to achieve international recognition. As it stands, Stonyridge is said to be ‘One of the Top Ten Must Visit Wineries in the World’ by the Guardian. With glimmers of flavors from the Mediterranean, France and Tuscany- Stonyridge brings a wealth of tastes together to create true quality to the wine on Waiheke. The place is walking distance from a range of other vineyards as well, if you're on a little bit of a wine hop. Be sure to check out their amazing restaurant as well.
Mudbrick
Mudbrick is one of Waiheke’s most known wineries. At Mudbrick you will find a selection of wines available to you to taste, savor and experience. These range from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah and of course Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Viognier. Since opening in 1992, Mudbrick winery is a popular destination for weddings and other special occasions, topped off with stunning views to enjoy. One of their most sought after wines to mention is their Chardonnay, which showcases the potency of Waiheke’s scorching hot summer seasons.
Man O’ War
Feel like getting out in that lovely breeze? Thousands of acres will provide epic views for you as you overlook the eastern side of Waiheke at Man O’ War winery. You will be treated to a unique beachfront tasting encounter. Spread throughout the farm there are over 75 vineyards here, making for a very robust amount of grapes ready for production and consumption. Whether you spend the evening taking in the views or decide to jump on the wine bus to check out all those vineyards for yourself- you sure will find a great adventure on Waiheke’s eastern side.
Batch Winery
Next up we have Batch Winery, which stretches across the Thomas Vineyard and Margaret Reeve Lane Vineyards. It’s a gorgeous pair of hilltop vineyards that is located on top of Carson’s Hill with an absolutely marvellous view of Onetangi. To pair with the wine, you could also experience their restaurant, which is very ‘island style’ and you could even have a spot of high tea as well. Batch winery is fabulous for events big and small. They are prepped for everything from weddings and hens parties right through to corporate gigs.
Cable Bay
At Cable Bay expect to have wines like chardonnay, viognier, pinot gris, syrah, merlot and malbec waiting for you to get lost in. History has established Cable Bay’s restaurant as being a very classy and elegant dining experience, which still is true, but equally if you are in your holiday sandals and tracksuit you are also going to fit in here. There’s a lovely veranda for some chill and relaxing vibes. It’s a chance to soak up the sun while you look at a pristine backdrop. Expect to be in awe of the sunsets here and be ready for some tantalizingly divine wines.
Casita Miro
Transport yourself to Spain for dinner with a glass of Pinot Noir! Casita Miro has beautiful Spanish cuisine food to pair with their charming wines grown in their Miro vineyard. A lot of their menu produce is sourced on the island itself, with the likes of olive oil, eggs and oysters all selected from various Waiheke hot spots. You will also find that Casita Miro is open to wine tasting 7 days a week, which means that you’ll never miss the opportunity to grab a sample.
Poderi Crisci
Since 2008 Poderi Crisci has been serving up both beautifully crafted dishes as well as high end wine. With a well-established background in food and restaurants, Antonio Crisci has brought together wine and Italian food impeccably with his business, here on Waiheke. On the center of the island, tucked away in Awaawaroa Bay you will find a wide range of great wines. If you're into the reds, then the ‘Poderi Crisici Merlot 2015’ is said to be very ripe and goes down superbly with the Italian cuisine.
Tantalus Estate
Are you a fan of Bordeaux and Rhone-style reds? Then you are in for a treat with the Tantalus Estate. Situated in Onetangi Valley, Tantalus Estate is very close to a wide range of accommodation options, which makes it practical to end the night with. The whole site is built on 5.3 hectares of land, with a built-in restaurant with yummy food to bite down on as well as a brewery and winery. You will also find that Tantalus Estate is at an easy walking distance to other wineries, making it a no brainer to include this in your wine hopping adventure.
Wild Estate
How about you jump into the casual and much easier going styles of wine drinking? The vibe with Wild on Waiheke is very chill but the wine still matches the caliber of what you will come to love about Waiheke wines. You can indulge in that cheese board while you roam around the outdoor garden, catching those Waiheke sunshine rays as you do. Suitable for the family, corporate gigs or with a small tight group of friends, you will find peaceful vibes with Wild on Waiheke. There’s also a Waiheke Island Brewery. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you could always do some archery or clay bird shooting, which is also available at Wild on Waiheke. This might be better planned before you indulge in their amazing wines, naturally.
Peacock Sky
Did you know that Peacock Sky is one of the most frequently planted vineyards on the island? The grapes here get an optimum amount of sun and get a light cool breeze, making for stellar wine growing conditions. You will get a fantastic view here of Onetangi and have somewhat less tourists if you are after a more chilled out experience. A stand out is their Blanc de Noirs.
Spoiled for choice with Waiheke wines
You will find many amazing vineyards to discover during your time on Waiheke. With over 30 wineries to choose from, you certainly have the island at your feet with options of stunning locations to get familiar with. Whether you're a reds or whites drinker, be sure that you will find a glass or bottle of wine that will sum up your Waiheke experience in a gulp or sip.