When we first started planning our trip to Waiheke Island we knew we wanted to check out one of the great wine tours. In the past, we’ve found this was an awesome way to visit multiple vineyards in one day. So with some of the best Waiheke Island wineries pretty spread out we decided to go on the highly recommended Enjoi Waiheke wine tour! Join us as we visit 4 different vineyards on Waiheke, and sample the amazing wine that this island has to offer.
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Waiheke Island Wineries
Believe it or not, they’ve only been producing wine on Waiheke Island since the late 1970’s! What started with just one vineyard has bloomed into over 30 unique Waiheke Island wineries.
This includes 24 cellar doors, and some of the best Syrah blends in the world. The history of these vineyards may not be as deep as in other countries. Yet, as we quickly saw on our Waiheke winery tour, business is booming on the island!
→ How to Get to Waiheke Island by Ferry & Fun First Time Guide
Enjoi Waiheke Island Wine Tour
We were picked up at our address just after 10am in an 8 person passenger van. As we took off, our friendly guide Sheree assured us we’d be tasting wine before 11am!
Our small group had people of all ages excited to visit the Waiheke Island wineries. We appreciated that the group was smaller as it seemed like a more private and intimate tour.
If you don’t want to take a group tour, many travelers also use the hop on hop off explorer bus, taxis, local buses, rent a vehicle, or even walk. We highly recommend checking out one of these Waiheke Island tours with Enjoi NZ!
This way you don’t have to worry about how you’re getting around, and you’ll also have a guide filling you in on all the information about the island.
→ Book an Enjoi NZ Waiheke Wine Tour
Mudbrick Vineyard
The first stop on our Waiheke winery tour was Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard. As we walked up the stairs for our wine tasting we were blown away by the scenery and views out over the bay. We learned that Mudbrick plays host to around 150 weddings a year, and it’s easy to see why!
The first of our wine tastings came with an epic view from the upper deck of property. Even on a cloudy day during winter the landscape was beautiful, and the wine helped warm us up. If you have a little extra time on your Waiheke Island tour, walk 5 minutes up to the top of the hill for panoramic views of the island.
We stopped in the cellar and bought our favorite wine from the tasting to take with us. It was so nice opening it a week later and enjoying it after leaving Waiheke island!
Peacock Sky Vineyard
Next up on our Waiheke winery tour was Peacock Sky Vineyard. En route to this next stop, our guide took the long route so we could see more of the incredible island nature.
Enjoi NZ did a great job explaining the history and geography of the island, while driving along the most beautiful beaches. After a short drive we walked into the quaint, but stylish building and headed to the back tasting room.
What separated this tasting from the others is that they actually had food pairings with each glass of wine. Along with our four tastings, we enjoyed bite sized servings of laska soup, pate, salmon, and a delicious chocolate brownie to top it off. What a nice little treat this was!
If you’re thinking of doing any Waiheke Island wine tours make sure to stop in at Peacock Sky. The little cellar store not only sells all the wines you’ll taste, but also homemade pre-mixed brownie jars. Once you get a taste of this chocolate treat you’ll be ready to make your own at home. Yum!
Batch Winery and Lunch
Following that little taste of food we were starting to get hungry. So it was great that the next of the Waiheke Island wineries also had lunch! Unlike any of the other vineyards we visited, Batch Winery specializes in the bubbly and Prosecco style beverages.
We loved how the Enjoi Waiheke wine tour seemed to hit the best of every style of wine on the island. After getting a tour of the vineyard and learning about the wine making process, we sat down for a group lunch inside. The menu had so many options, ranging from fancy meat pies to pasta, and even a yummy sausage casserole.
Thomas Batch Winery and Restaurant is also the highest sitting winery on the island and it has the views to prove it! We had about 2 hours here including lunch. This gave us plenty of time to walk around and take in the mountains and ocean.
Kennedy Point Vineyard
Kennedy Point Vineyard was the last stop, and it ended up being one of our favorite wineries we visited in Waiheke. After our first tasting of a delicious Sauvignon Blanc, we were taken out onto the property to walk through the vines. Although they weren’t in bloom due to it being winter, we did check out the gorgeous olive trees.
We had no idea that so many of the Waiheke Island wineries also grow olives! We would get a chance to taste the olive and avocado oils during our visit. Also, make sure to try Kennedy Point’s famous oyster shot at the end of the tour!
Until Next Time Waiheke Island
In the late afternoon we found ourselves ending our epic wine tour in a state of bliss. I mean how can you not feel amazing after tasting your way around an island full of vineyards? We asked to be dropped off in the small, and charming main town of Oneroa to finish off the day.
If you taste something you really like on your Waiheke Island wine tour make sure to buy a bottle. Take it from us… It’s best to have an easy and relaxing night ahead with one of your favorite Waiheke Island wines after the tour!
Love wine as much as we do? Make sure to check out some more of our wine tasting adventures from around the world. Cheers!
- Wine Tasting in Myanmar at Inle Lake’s Red Mountain Estate Vineyard
- Mendoza Argentina Wine Tour: Cycling and Sipping Malbec
- Tasting 47 Wines in Eger Hungary at the Valley of the Beautiful Women
This tour was done as a partnership with Enjoi NZ, but as always our opinions are our own and we only recommend activities that we loved! Have any questions on our Waiheke Island wine tour or want to share your own favorite vineyards with us? Leave a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Where To Stay on Waiheke Island
Ultra Luxury – Cable Bay Views – Stay overlooking one of the best Waiheke wineries Cable Bay Vineyard with sweeping views of the island and ocean. It features modern island decor which is perfect for couples and larger groups. Also, Cable Bay Views is walking distance to several vineyards.
Fun Vacation – The Oyster Inn – Set in the center of town, this fun and historic inn has everything you need for a comfortable stay. In addition to it’s great location close, the Oyster Inn also has one of the best restaurants on the island!
Cute & Comfortable – Waiheke Island Guesthouse – This tropical escape in Ostend is where to go to get away from it all. Enjoy the beautiful lawn on the property, where you’ll be just a short walk from nearby Palm Beach.
For more places to stay on Waiheke Island you can explore the latest prices here!
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New Zealand Travel Planning
Jucy Van: The best way to explore New Zealand is with a Jucy camper! We spent over six weeks driving around the North and South Islands in a van and loved every moment.
Rental Car: If you’re not renting a van you’ll need a car to see this country. We use Discover Cars when traveling and enjoy having the freedom to get around.
Flights: It’s easy to find cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Auckland to Queenstown for $40 USD, and New Zealand to Fiji for less than $150!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go to if you’re traveling on a budget.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over New Zealand! They have everything from tickets to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves to a Hobbiton movie set tour, and even a Northland hole in the rock dolphin cruise!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for insurance the last few years and they are always there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
