The Best Vineyards on Waiheke Island
Some of the best vineyards on Waiheke island are easy enough to experience if you know where to go. Waiheke Island is the favoured short-term holiday destination for a lot of Auckland locals. Flocking there every summer to relax on the beaches, embrace the slow pace and soak up the many variants of wine which Waiheke is famous for.
Waiheke Island is a 92 km² island that sits 21.5km east of Auckland city. A 45-minute ferry ride can transport you straight from a bustling city centre to the relaxing island time of Waiheke Island. So, if you’re wanting to indulge in some wine tasting in Auckland or want a list of the best vineyards to visit this summer, keep reading!
About Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island is a island in the Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand, visible from Auckland city. It is the most populated island in the gulf with nearly 10,000 residents, with that number increasing during peak summer season.
Waiheke is well known for it’s wine culture with nearly 20 vineyards and wineries spread across the island. The main draw card for visitors is that the journey is an easy 45 minute ferry ride on the public Auckland ferries which leave from Auckland city and Devonport, making Waiheke an extremely popular day trip or weekend away for Aucklanders and tourists.
Waiheke Island Accommodation
Waiheke Island has plenty of accommodation on offer, the most popular site to look for accommodation is through Airbnb. A lot of locals on the island either rent out their homes during peak summer season or have cabins on site to make the most of living in a summer paradise.
Glamping on Waiheke Island
Fossil Bay Glamping is the only place I stay when I’m on Waiheke Island for a few days. Fossil Bay is a 5 minute walk to Big Oneroa Beach and another 5 minute walk to Oneroa village, making it the best location to stay on Waiheke Island if you don’t have access to a car.
Fossil Bay Lodge offers unique accommodation and glamping with shared kitchen facilities, the Lotus Belle tents come in 2 sizes already furnished with everything you need, including an outdoor shower and toilet. The Lotus Belle Big Tent 5 is the only tent on site that has its own private kitchen, which is perfect if you’re planning on cooking a few meals or want nothing but privacy while staying at Fossil Bay
Getting from Auckland to Waiheke Island: Island Direct
Auckland to Waiheke island is as simple as getting on a boat and having an alcoholic beverage (because it’s always 5pm somewhere) and enjoying the, hopefully smooth, 45 minute ride to Waiheke island. The Auckland to Waiheke Ferry departs from Auckland city ferry terminal and Devonport ferry terminal. Check out the Island Direct ferry website for the Waiheke Island timetable.
To make it easy for yourself for both the ferry and public transport while on Waiheke Island, enquire about purchasing an AT Hop card at the transport kiosk at either ferry terminal; load money onto these cards and they get you around majority of Auckland and Waiheke Islands public transport by just tagging on and off. This is also a way to score slightly cheaper fares too!
Types of Waiheke Island Vineyards
Winery tours are the epitome of “Let’s get dressed up to go drinking and make absolute twats of ourselves”. Waiheke Island Vineyards are well known hot spot for work functions, girl days out, weddings or an excuse for some tomfoolery. Every summer Matiatia port becomes crowded with girls in pretty dresses and men in dapper outfits. By those evenings the local brews have taken affect, makeup has sweated off and ferries become overloaded with loud drunks thinking their selfies are still ‘fire’. Regardless I totally rate Waiheke and am eagerly waiting for my bank balance to revive so I can visit again.
Waiheke Wine Tour
Having visited Waiheke Island several times over the years, I believe I am qualified enough to form an opinion on the best Waiheke Island wineries. And I can tell you that you definitely don’t need a fancy pre-booked Waiheke wine tour to explore the best vineyards on the island. There are enough vineyards on Waiheke Island to suit everyone’s tastes; from small and intimate, to the types that allow groups for activities like archery, and of course the vineyards for those who want to treat themselves to a classy day out with friends and splurge a bit on lunch.
For the best vineyards on Waiheke Island, keep reading, otherwise visit the following pages for my day trip itinerary or glamping experience.
Onetangi Vineyards
Tantalus Winery
Tantalus vineyard is one of the more upper-class Waiheke wineries available on the island. The comfortable indoor and outdoor seating make any table location desirable when wanting to make the most out of your experience. The vineyard can also be enjoyed if you’re wanting to enjoy a post meal wine among the vines or using it as a right of way to access your helicopter to leave the island. Their varied list of Tantalus Estate wines ranging from White, Rose’ to Red, including international champagnes and their own Alibi beer brewed onsite. So, there shouldn’t be any complaints from picky drinkers.
Dining at Tantalus Estate
There are several seating options when choosing to dine at Tantalus Winery. You can either choose to be seated indoors or outdoors. And if you’re booking a table for a big group you have the option of the semi-private dining room which is separated by curtains and has its own set of private couches to relax on between meals. You can choose one of the larger tables outside, or if you’re wanting a full-blown private event you can book the glasshouse outside in the garden.
Tantalus Wine Tasting
Wine tasting can be enjoyed at Tantalus Estate at their ‘Cellar Door’, which is open Thursday – Sunday 11am – 5pm. Or 7 Days through a reservation. Their Cellar Door menu includes 2 different selections of wine, either 5 Regionals wines or 4 Reserve wines for $15. Tanatalus also have beer tasting on offer where you can pick 4 beers from a list of 7 beers from their Alibi brewery on Waiheke Island for $12.
Check out Tantalus wine and beer tasting menu here.
Entertainment at Tantalus Estate
Giant Jenga and sandbag throwing are enough to occupy children or adults. There is space to wander around through the vines and an open space big enough for children to play a game of tag.
Tantalus Estate is one of the best wineries on Waiheke Island and harbours the best service in any restaurant I have visited. The outdoor setting is simple and exquisite and allows for a relaxed dining experience on the island, while the downstairs cellar allows for a more casual experience yet still enjoying the chic atmosphere. If you’re lucky enough you may be temporarily deafened by a helicopter landing only a few yards away. Booking is essential if dining.
Check out their website here.
Te Motu Vineyard
Te Motu is one of the smaller vineyards which caters to crowds on a smaller budget and who want a more casual dining experience. We arrived here after making friends with a few of the wait staff at Tantalus who told us about a Rose’ launch at Te Motu. Drinking wine, lying on the grass among the vines while listening to a live DJ was a great way to end our afternoon on the Island.
Check out their website here.
Wild on Waiheke Vineyard
Wild on Waiheke is a short walking distance from Tantalus winery and one of the best vineyards on Waiheke Island for a fun day out with a group of friends or your family. A more casual setting compared to its neighbours, Wild on Waiheke offers an experience perfect for team building or an end of year work gig, if of course drinking too much and making a fool of yourself during tug of war seems fitting.
Eat, Play and Drink at Wild on Waiheke Vineyard
Wild on Waiheke winery offers a range of outdoor games for adults and children, making it one of the few vineyards on Waiheke Island which is child friendly. Offering a playground and various outdoor games to keep the little ones happy while the adults play with various wine tasting paddles.
Wild on Waiheke is perfect for groups, stag parties or hens do which want a little bit more action than seeing the bottom of a wine bottle. With games and activities on offer such as tug of war, archery, laser clay bird shooting and plenty of free games to fill the time if the budget is tight. And plenty of food and drinks on offer to satisfy even the fussiest of taste buds.
Check out their website here.
Casita Miro
Casita Miro is a family run vineyard and one of the smallest wineries on Waiheke Island. It boasts Spanish influence while incorperating a chill New Zealand atmosphere with some outdoor dining and bean bags covering the lawn for your post meal comfort. Sitting on 4.2 hectares of land, they produce a magnificent rose’ which can be purchased by the glass or bottle from the restuarant. Casita Miro is the perfect vineyard choice for those wanting a chill afternoon but wanting the Waiheke Island vineyard experience.
Casita Miro Dining
Casita Miros restaurant not only looks like a Spanish influenced dining experience, but the mediterranean food, shared plates and tapas provide an authentic European dining experience you can’t get anywhere else on Waiheke Island. I can highly recommend the cheese croquets and Cats’ Homemade Bread for starters.
Check out their website here.
Stonyridge Vineyard
I have not visited however it’s worth a mention since it’s among the cluster of 3 other vineyards. Stonyridge prides themselves with being the ‘Ultra Premium Red Wine Specialists’ and have been referred to as one of the ‘Top Ten Must Visit Wineries in the World’ by Guardian UK. They produce a variety of fantastic red wines available around New Zealand and is served in several international restaurants. This vineyard is accessible via helicopter and has a beautiful setting with wall climbing vines which offer a perfect backdrop for any pre-boozed couple or group pictures.
Check out their website here.
Oneroa Vineyards
Mudbrick Vineyard
Mudbrick brings a vineyard vibe I haven’t experienced at any of the other Waiheke Island wineries. The versatility of the environment being a casual yet sophisticated dining experience while incorporating a fun atmosphere makes this the perfect vineyard to visit if you don’t want to go anywhere else. The views from any of the dining areas of Mudbrick vineyard look over the remarkable landscape out towards the open ocean and Auckland city.
The seating areas include the main restaurant, the courtyard or above one of the buildings in the terraced garden. With many of the outside walls covered in vines and greenery it’s a gorgeous location for any celebration or get together. Mudbrick vineyard is also a popular wedding location, with their large section of land, terraced garden and dreamy mud brick built buildings. Their accommodation options make it a perfect location for a romantic weekend getaway from bustling Auckland city life.
Sunset at Mudbrick Vineyard
Mudbrick vineyard is the best winery on Waiheke island to watch the sunset. This tiered vineyard and dining experience at Mudbrick winery allows for amazing views over Hauraki Gulf back towards Auckland City. You can choose to sit on the lower patio in front of the main dining hall, or on top of the main building and back within the lavender plants towards the vineyard. Seating options include a variety of couches, metal deck chairs and bean bags; perfect for anyone of any intoxication level.
Check out their website here.
Top Tip:
Tantalus, Te Motu, Wild on Waiheke and Stonyridge are short walking distances away from each other. Perfect if you want a winery tour but don’t want the hassle of organising transport.
The above list doesn’t even cover half the amount of vineyards Waiheke holds. Give Waiheke a google and see if you can find your next summer getaway hotspot!
Booking is essential for all Waiheke vineyards if you want to dine.
Want more Vineyards on Waiheke Island?
There are plenty more vineyards on Waiheke Island to explore, jump on a hop-on hop-off explorer bus or chat to locals about their favourite place to grab a bite to eat on a sunny afternoon and you might just find a spot that’s not listed here. Explore Waiheke Island and enjoy everything it has to offer for a day or a whole weekend!
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