Sweeping seashores gleam with pristine waves gently rolling over the shores of this calm island festooned with vineyards, off the coast of Auckland. On arrival, the gradual tempo results in instantaneous decompression, with nature unfurling widescreen splendour throughout cosy corners and epic vistas that by no means appear too busy, even in peak summertime.
Waiheke, whose authentic Māori identify, Te Motu Arai Roa, means ‘the lengthy sheltering island’, looks like a spot of refuge – and at lower than 20km lengthy, it’s delightfully easy to navigate. For vineyard visits, there’s sufficient selection to fill an entire week or a weekend, relying in your schedule.
Both method, don’t miss Man O’ Warfare, a cellar door with a jaw-dropping setting by the seashore in Man O’ Warfare Bay and vertiginous vineyards redolent of Alsace-by-the-sea. You’ll be able to drive there, take the hop-on-hop-off bus or go by boat (tickets through discover group, depart from Auckland’s Viaduct harbour). The seashore is one which Captain Prepare dinner as soon as eyed for kauri timber from which to make masts for his ships. The environment on arrival is high-quality and casual.
Man O’ Warfare is understood for its Bordeaux blends, reminiscent of top-level Tytti (‘too-tee’) 2019. However for me, the wine of the tasting, for each worth and deliciousness, was the Dreadnought Syrah 2021.
The Forest Flight ziplining expertise via the forest provides elegant views and is marshalled impeccably. It’s straightforward to guide prematurely via the vineyard’s web site. Flying over the timber again all the way down to the coast was the spotlight of my go to to the island.
The cellar door and beachfront eating space at Man O’ Warfare Vineyard, overlooking Man O’ Warfare Bay on the jap coast of Waiheke Island
DJs and 0 dosage
Extra centrally situated and simply accessible from the principle Onetangi Street is Soho Household Vineyards. This boutique cellar door is all about enjoyable, mirrored in its strikingly cool wine labels. For walk-ins of as much as six folks there’s no must guide. With nice tunes within the afternoons, the good t-shirts within the commerce, Asian fusion meals and wines named after popular culture icons (suppose Jagger Pinot Gris) its informality is a delight. Look out for proprietor Rachael Carter’s pleasant sheepadoodle Dusty, generally to be discovered within the DJ sales space.
It is a place to take in some sunshine, revel within the ‘entertain not clarify’ ethos and sip delicious rosé. Wine highlights embody the zero dosage Mara Méthode Rosé Brut 2022 and Westwood 2024 – the latter a joyful rosé to match the vibe.
For an entire distinction, a couple of moments up the hill is Te Motu, famed for holding again its wines till they’re totally mature – some for 25 years – earlier than serving them in its stunningly stunning restaurant backyard overlooking the vineyards of Onetangi valley. Vertical tastings can be found seven days every week and the standard within the glass is magical.
Founder Paul Dunleavy purchased the winery web site when he was simply 31, leaving company life in his 50s to deal with Te Motu. Working collectively along with his son Rory, the sense of treating wine as legacy is palpable – not simply in holding again vintages to mature earlier than launch (all below cork) – however of their sense of mutual devotion to the craft of wine. ‘To make wines like this, we take dangers,’ says Paul as I sip his Kuikui 2019, sourced from low-yielding Syrah vines. Its spicy finesse, perfume of inky violets and vivacity made it one of the crucial compelling wines of my journey.
The restaurant at Te Motu within the Onetangi valley. Credit score: Rory Dunleavy
Lees lover
If there’s one wine identify that’s price memorising to hunt out in Waiheke it’s Kelly Washington. Husband-and spouse duo Tamra Kelly-Washington and Simon Kelly got down to produce wines utilizing grapes from fastidious growers on Waiheke. They goal solely to cope with single-plot websites with previous vines at excessive altitude and high-density planting. All should be sustainably and organically or biodynamically farmed.
I’ve lengthy been a fan of their Waiheke Syrah, which I supply from The Wine Society within the UK. They don’t have a cellar door, however Waiheke is their dwelling and also you’ll come throughout their wines on an entire stack of the native lists.
Stylistically, Tamra’s wines are linked by her love of lees. She instructed me: ‘I by no means eliminate them till the final level.’ This results in a silkiness throughout her pink, white and rosé vary that delivers elegant and enchanting wines.
Passage Rock is a dreamy setting for lovers of nice wooden and high-quality cooking. With a sea view surrounded by vines, the restaurant is welcoming and stress-free, whereas dishes are next-level. Chef Alexander Blee tells me he cooks ‘clear, sincere, pure dishes with high quality components from Waiheke. The entire thought is to assist David’s wine; wine must be the star.’
That David is winemaker David Evans, who tends to choose a couple of weeks later than everybody else on the island. This offers his wines opulence in addition to stability. ‘I belief my land,’ he instructed me. ‘You’ll be able to’t rush nature.’ His Sauvignon Blanc is pitch-perfect with a platter of native Pacific oysters, however don’t miss his world-class Viognier. As for reds, his choice of Syrah is well worth the airplane ticket to New Zealand alone – and provides categoric proof that reds can mature below screwcap. Though my coronary heart was misplaced to David’s Syrah, his Cabernets are high stage, too. As he places it: ‘Syrah is dependable yearly; within the nice years Cabernet pisses throughout it.’
What I like most about Waiheke is encapsulated proper there: world-class wines in essentially the most relaxed, casual settings; new mates simply made; and seashores and landscapes to make your eyes glow of their sockets. It’s this straightforward: guide your flight.
My good day on Waiheke Island
Morning
Begin the day with a go to to Man O’ Warfare, for a wine tasting by the seashore, then lunch. I extremely advocate the Forest Flight zipline expertise – actually unbelievable views over the island’s shoreline stretching for miles on a transparent day. The natural world, from ferns to massive kauri timber – even the odd twiglet – are additionally awe-inspiring.
Afternoon
After lunch, take a taxi or hop on a bus to Passage Rock for a day tasting. Higher nonetheless, you may stroll the 9.4km from Man O’Warfare to Passage Rock as a part of the Te Ara Hura path, a 100km strolling journey round Waiheke. For all the main points on this stroll and others, go to Stroll Waiheke. I’d go as far as to say that Passage Rock ought to be dubbed ‘Condrieu-on-Sea’ for the plushness and lavish high quality of the native Viogner. The reds, too, are fulsome and ripe – the Reserve Syrah is a must-taste. The meals is spectacular in case you’re up for snacks and even an early dinner, however reserving is crucial.
Night
For extra tasting, pre-book a taxi and head to Te Motu for a feast overlooking the vines alongside magical mature Waiheke wines. For a lighter chew, head to The Oyster Inn overlooking Oneroa Bay, for among the island’s finest seafood. Pair outrageously recent native oysters and vibrant kingfish crudo with a glass of Kelly Washington Rosé 2024. Keep the night time at Cable Bay Views and get up to among the most attractive vistas on the island.
The Oyster Inn
Find out how to get there
From Auckland’s Downtown Ferry Terminal, the crossing to Waiheke takes 40 minutes with Fullers 360 as a foot passenger. There are 21 sailings every day. To journey with a automobile, Sealink Ferries takes an hour and there are seven sailings on daily basis. Tickets and data may be discovered at Fullers and Sealink.
Credit score: JP Map Graphics Ltd
Your Waiheke handle guide
Lodging
Cable Bay Views, Oneroa
Spotless trendy studios with attractive floor-to-ceiling glass searching over Waiheke’s great panorama.
The Boatshed, Oneroa
A boutique, stylish and splendid lodge simply above the seashore at Oneroa.
Waiheke Waterfront Lodge, Oneroa
A five-star trendy lodge that enjoys stunning views over Huruhi Bay.
Cable Bay Views
Eating places
Casita Miro, Onetangi
Fashionable cellar door restaurant specialising in domestically sourced tapas dishes.
The Heke, Onetangi
A family-friendly choice the place you too can take pleasure in drinks from Waiheke Brewery Co and Waiheke Whisky.
Three Seven Two, Onetangi
Multi-award-winning, proper throughout from Onetangi seashore with an enormous unfold of dishes (named for the primary three digits of the Waiheke cellphone quantity).
Actions
EcoZip Adventures, close to Onetangi
If you happen to don’t do the zipline exercise at Man O’ Warfare, this three-hour expertise takes you over native forests and vineyards.
Waiheke Group Artwork Gallery
All the time has a spread of exhibitions and applications from round New Zealand.
Waiheke Distilling Co, Cowes Bay
Its signature Spirit of Waiheke gin is famed all through the island. Tour the distillery then settle in for a tasting and meals.
EcoZip Adventures
