Best of Waiheke Island Wines
When you hear New Zealand your mind usually goes straight to picturesque mountain ranges and hobbit holes, but what most people overlook is the wine. New Zealand wine is starting to become a player on a global scale and one would be remissed if they visited without getting a taste. New Zealand has about ten wine regions throughout the country but there is one hidden gem that is overlooked by many outsiders, Waiheke Island. Waiheke is home to 22 vineyards all on one island, making it a paradise for wine lovers. It is only a 35 minutes ferry ride to the island from Auckland, making it the perfect day trip. If visiting for a day trip be sure to buy Fullers ferry, as it is cheaper, and ask for a “same day return” ticket. By leaving and coming back on the same day you will only pay 29 NZD rather than 33 NZD.
I have been living on the island two months now with a working visa and an open mind to try and learn all that I can about wine production. While working here, I have made it my goal to visit every tasting room on this island to get a feel for what unique thing each winery has to offer.
Best Selection of Wines Overall:
Man O’ War
Man O’ War is situated on the opposite end of the island from the ferry where public transportation does not reach, making it difficult to get to but totally worth it. Hiring a car is the best way to explore this winery because you will want to stop a few times at the breathtaking views the property has along the way. However, if you happen to have your own boat you could sail right on in since this is the only tasting room on the island that is right on the beach. Since they are situated off the beaten path they make their wine tastings free to everyone. Their wine selection consists of five whites and four reds along with two dessert or “sticky” wines. Although they were already out of their Rose by my arrival in late summer, I still found the perfect sunny day wine, Exiled which is their Pinot Gris. This Pinot Gris is much sweeter than what I expected but fell in love very quickly. Their reds are all a mix of different varietals with only their Dreadnought being a pure Syrah. The reds range from feminine and fruity to bold and peppery. My favorite was the Warspite with its dark fruit notes that allow for easy drinking with or without food. However, the Ironclad Bordeaux Blend became a close second with a much fuller body. This is a great winery for families to share a bottle of wine, with the beach at your feet and games to play in the lawn.
Best Wine:
Frenchmans Hill Estate
Frenchmans Hill Estate has their tasting room, vineyard, and the winemakers residence all on one small piece of land, which gives it a very laid back atmosphere. It reminded me very much of tasting wine in the Slovenian wine country, where you just show up to the winemaker's house and ask to try some of their wine. Even though the production scale is very small, their red wines blew me away. Their 2010 Rock Earth Syrah is bold and beautiful but my favorite happens to be their 2012 Blood Creek 8, that is a blend of 8 different varieties. The Blood Creek 8 has gradual legs and is full bodied in color but has the aroma of a lighter blend. It is smooth yet complex and provokes an aftertaste that elicits the same of that of it’s nose. The more I drank this wine the more it opened up with more floral notes. Drinking this wine made me smile and is why I had to buy a bottle when leaving. Take away price for this bottle is 95NZ, and 25NZD per glass. I highly recommend checking this winery out, if only for the Blood Creek 8.
Best Lunch:
Casita Miro
Miro is a picturesque Spanish style winery that sits atop a hill overlooking Onetangi beach, with a delicious tapas menu offered in their restaurant. I recommend heading through the restaurant to the outside stairs to begin with a wine tasting and an elevated view. Casita Miro is one of the few wineries on the island that is offering a wine tasting with small food pairings to see the difference food can play to enhance your wine. This tasting includes a set five wines and costs 15 NZD. After your tasting, your appetite will have you wanting more so head into the restaurant and start with some goat cheese croquettes and roasted pumpkin paired with their Sauvignon Blanc. Next you can order their flagship wine, Miro, and accompany it with the Lamb and Fig Tajine with a flavorful couscous and and lemon yoghurt. Finally ending the meal with churros and a decadent chocolate dipping sauce.
Best Afternoon Snack:
Batch Winery
Batch has one of the best views on a beautiful day with the rolling hills, ocean and Auckland all in it’s breadth. With impressive scenery and a good afternoon tea with bubbles, minus the tea, you know you are in for a good stop. I had seen their afternoon tea the first time I came here however they stopped serving it at 4PM and I was unable to enjoy it. The tiered platter looked so inviting that I came back the next weekend to partake in the fun. I really loved how untraditional it was but fit perfectly in with the concept. The bottom layer consisted of different breads, cheeses and dried fruit. Smoked salmon, moist meatloaf, flaky quiche and a wedge salad made up the mains of the middle tier. Ending with the fruit pavlova on top. Never having pavlova before, I do not have anything to compare it against, but it was creamy, fruity and chewy all in one perfect bite.
Best View:
Cable Bay
Cable Bay is the best place to end the night with an elegant dinner and an amazing sunset view. I spend my time out on the lawn in their bean bag chairs with a glass of their Syrah and watch the sun set behind Auckland city skyline. If you get too cold, just ask for a blanket and snuggle up. However, if you would like to spend a bit of money on dinner they have floor to ceiling windows that allow you to capture this view from inside their dining room.
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