Calling all wine lovers! If you’re visiting Auckland and don’t take a trip to the Waiheke Island wineries you’re making a serious mistake. Just a quick boat ride from New Zealand’s largest city is over 30 Waiheke vineyards and endless wine tastings to enjoy. Let us take you through all of our 9 favorite spots so you can have the best time ever on your own visit!
About the Waiheke Wineries
Since the first grape vines were planted in the late 1970’s the wine industry has been constantly growing on Waiheke Island in New Zealand. We stayed on Waiheke for three nights and did an amazing tour with Enjoi NZ.
Originally we thought this would be enough time to hit a bunch of the Waiheke Island wineries, but oh were we wrong! Still, we ended up going to 9 different cellar doors on our Waiheke Island wine tasting journey and loved every minute.
One of our favorite parts about visiting the Waiheke vineyards is that many of the best ones are grouped together in close proximity. This allows you to hit more than one at a time, and save money on buses, tours, and other transportation.
→ 9 Amazing Waiheke Wineries & Island Tastings Not to Miss
5 Facts About Waiheke Wine Tasting
1. Famous Red Wine: Waiheke Island is known for its delicious and award winning reds. Syrah blends are something you’ll be trying a lot of when visiting the Waiheke wineries!
2. Affordable Tastings: Another great thing about the Waiheke vineyards is you’ll be able to sample some wines you otherwise may not be able to afford. Some tastings are set prices, while others you pay only 3-7 NZD per glass.
3. Shipped Worldwide: Even though it’s a relatively small production know that Waiheke wine is shiped all over the world. That means you can order some bottles whether you’re in Auckland or New York City!
4. Beautiful Island Hikes: There are a range of great hikes for when you’re ready to get out in to nature. You can even pair them with beach stops and wineries for an epic day on Waiheke.
5. Summer Population Boom: Specifically in the summer, the population of this tiny island increases ten fold. In fact, Waiheke sees over one million visitors per year!
Central Waiheke Vineyards
1. Wild On Waiheke
Location: Wild On Waiheke
Let’s start off with one of the most fun Waiheke wine tasting spots! Wild On Waiheke has a beautiful bar and restaurant area, and some great lunch and dinner options.
Besides their awesome indoor space they are all about fun here! Outside you will find archery going in between the vines and other cool lawn games to enjoy with your drinks.
Wild On Waiheke is also the only place on the island that also brews their own beer. If you want a little switch up from all the wine try a flight out.
2. Stonyridge Vineyard
Location: Stonyridge Vineyard
Just up the road from Wild On you’ll find the next great Waiheke winery at Stonyridge Vineyard. As you walk into the gorgeous property you may notice pictures of the owner with famous celebrities, musicians, and athletes from around the world.
After we saw this we obviously had high expectations, and this Waiheke wine tasting did not disappoint! Our favorite part about Stonyridge Vineyard is that if you don’t want to go with a set tasting you can create your own. They have wines ranging from 3 to 8 NZD which you can enjoy sitting out on the patio.
3. Te Motu Vineyard
Location: Te Motu Vineyard
Hailing as the 3rd oldest Waiheke vineyard, Te Motu has been serving up delicious New Zealand wine since 1988. This was one of our favorite tastings because it had more personal touches than the rest. Our server told us the story of the winery, carefully explained each wine, and the pours were generous!
Wild On Waiheke, Stonyridge Vineyard, and Te Motu are all very close to each other. From Wild On walk up the long driveway to Stonyridge, and take the short trail to Te Motu. We hit all three in an afternoon and it was the perfect day!
Western Waiheke Wineries
4. Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard
Location: Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard
There’s no better place to start on the western side of the island than Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard. After our wine tasting we walked up to the top of the hill where the luxury cottages are and took in the views.
This was the first stop on our actual tour with Enjoi NZ, and we were completely taken aback by how beautiful the property was. No wonder they have over 150 wedding ceremonies per year here!
5. Cable Bay Vineyard
Location: Cable Bay Vineyard
If you thought the stunning views were done after Mudbrick you’re in for yet another treat next! Only a few minutes down the road you’ll find Cable Bay Vineyards.
This was one of the more upscale Waiheke wineries we visited but the tasting was very affordable. Our favorites were the white wines here and we couldn’t get enough of the sauvignon blanc.
6. Jurassic Ridge Winery
Location: Jurassic Ridge Winery
You might be wondering… What separates this next place from the rest of the Waiheke Island wineries besides its name? Well, all of the wine at Jurassic Ridge is completely organic! Since we happened to visit in off-season we were lucky enough to be the only ones here for our Waiheke wine tasting.
The owner is a former Neurologist and professor who actually does all the work here by hand himself! Unlike the other Waiheke vineyards, Dr. Blumhardt uses terracotta clay pots to age his wine instead of oak barrels. This old school method dates back over 6,000 years, and we got to learn all about it at Jurassic Ridge Winery.
More Great Waiheke Wine Tasting
7. Peacock Sky Vineyard
Location: Peacock Sky Vineyard
Peacock Sky is an amazing winery situated in the hills near the Hauraki Gulf. The wine was great here, but what we really loved was the food pairings!
Small portions of laska soup, salmon, and chocolate went perfectly with Peacock Sky’s variety of white, rosé, and red blends. There’s also an awesome zipline with Ecozip Adventures right next door if you need some more excitement.
8. Kennedy Point Vineyard
Location: Kennedy Point Vineyard
Another wonderful stop to make is the Kennedy Point Vineyard. In addition to the amazing wine selection here, you’ll also get to tour the land and see the olive trees.
Although many of the Waiheke vineyards also grow olives, this was one of the only wineries where we got to actually try the olive oil. What a fun treat to go with our Waiheke wine!
9. Batch Winery
Location: Batch Winery
Batch is the highest sitting winery on Waiheke Island, and it has the views to prove it! They are specifically known for their bubbly and the Prosecco style beverages. These were a nice switch up from the many Syrah and Pinot we drank at the other Waiheke Island wineries.
We also had the opportunity to eat lunch at Batch and it was so good! If you do end up checking out the restaurant we highly recommend the famous high tea, gnocchi, or sausage casserole.
Waiheke Wineries We Missed
Man O’War: This was the Waiheke vineyard we were most disappointed was closed on our visit. It’s a long drive on a dirt road, but this one is supposed to be worth it.
Obsidian Vineyards: Tastings in a relaxed and fun environment. Located near Onetangi Beach.
Tantalus Estate: High-end family owned winery with private tours and tastings available. Easy walk from Stonyridge and Wild On Waiheke.
Passage Rock Wines & Bistro: Beautiful property in Mcleods Bay. Wine is supposed to be great, and the food even better!
Destiny Bay Wines: Nice selection of Cabernet’s and Merlot’s in Woodside Bay. Also a fun place to learn about wine making traditions and techniques.
Goldie Estate: Waiheke’s oldest vineyard which opened in 1978. Commonly used for weddings and events as well.
Where To Stay in Waiheke Island New Zealand
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!
Have any questions on this article or want to share your own favorite Waiheke Island wineries? Leave us a comment at the bottom of this post!Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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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!
How did you travel between wineries? Bus? Taxi?
Author
Hi Paul!
One day we did a wine tour and the other days we just walked between them. You can take a taxi or there is a hop on hop off bus that goes to many of the vineyards. Hope that helps!