What makes Waiheke Wine so heavenly?
Waiheke is home to over 17 wineries on the island itself and it has some of the best conditions for growing wine in New Zealand. This is because it has a very sunny weather pattern and the soil itself has a great acidity level. There are a number of wine tours that you can take to get you the most out of the many wineries that are on offer. Come stay a while and destress from all your worries, a glass of wine or two might be just the ticket for you here on Waiheke.
An Island Perfectly made for Wine: Why Waiheke is the best for all your wine needs
Waiheke has over 30 vineyards scattered across the island. It’s no surprise that this mystical and grape-like paradise is sometimes referred to as ‘wine-heke’. Here in this haven away from Auckland's heavy noise, you will find 17 wineries that are open for tastings, gatherings and all things wine related. You will also find beautiful cuisines on Waiheke that can be paired with all the amazing wines. One of the varieties that is said to have the best taste is the reds. You can spend weeks exploring all the different vineyards, but of course there are some that come highly recommended. Be it a Merlot, Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon, you're going to find quality here on Waiheke. Take in the stunning views while you sip and get energized by world class wine. What could be better?
The grapes themselves are planted in slim numbers but produce extremely high quality results, so the turnaround is relatively high in terms of how often they are picked. It’s worth noting that compared to the rest of New Zealand, Waiheke’s Cabernet Sauvignon is harvested much earlier and is more mature than other grapes grown elsewhere. The island itself has around 27 different types of vines, these include popular ones like merlot, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc.
But what exactly makes Waiheke wine so mouth-watering and irresistible? Well, climate wise being on an isolated island means the grapes that are produced have a higher intensity than grapes produced on normal soil. Together with environmental factors like minimal rainfall and toasty temperatures, there is much more sunshine found on the island compared to Auckland. This combination of positive weather and climate conditions mean that the grapes on Waiheke have some of the best ph and acidity levels. Having these qualities in wine makes for a better overall result. So in short, it’s super sunny and conditions are great to have a winery. Knowing that the caliber of wine is high should make it easy for you to sit back and indulge in some gorgeous Waiheke wine. What’s out there to explore if I’m feeling thirsty?
Get the full experience with a Waiheke wine tour
There are many world class wineries on Waiheke Island to choose from. Why not opt for a Waiheke wine tour? This way you can tick them all off your list. It would certainly make for a memorable expedition of flavor! Of course you can get your wine fix by going on a Waiheke Wine Tour. But you also can buy and learn about some of the island’s other charming secrets like olive oil and honey. Wine tours are there to guide you through the island, one beverage at a time, taking in the views as you explore the island. Wine tours are very much there for those who enjoy having a packed day. You will always be hopping from one winery to the next, making it quite the adventure. During this time you will have tastings from a wide selection from all the different wines available. Waiheke wine experiences include Ananda Tours, Big Aroha Tours and also Waiheke Custom Wine tours, where you can take 2-6 people to share on your wine journey across Waiheke.
You will find many amazing vineyards to discover during your time on Waiheke. With all the unique wineries present on the island you certainly have the island at your feet with options of picturesque 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.