A guide to Waiheke vineyards and cellar doors
Where to taste, where to book lunch and how to plan a day among Waiheke's vineyards without needing a car.
Close to the ferry
Cable Bay, Mudbrick and Jurassic Ridge are all close to Matiatia, and you can walk between them if you don't mind a few hills. Cable Bay and Mudbrick both look back across the water to the city and are popular for long lunches, so book a table in summer.
The centre of the island
Around Onetangi and the central valleys you'll find Tantalus, Stonyridge and Te Motu, among others. Waiheke's warm, dry climate suits Bordeaux-style reds and syrah, and these are the wines many of the island's estates are best known for.
Further out
Man O' War sits at the far eastern end of the island, at the end of a long gravel road, with vines running down to the sea. It's worth the trip, but allow most of a day and go with someone who isn't drinking, or book a tour.
Planning your day
Choose two or three cellar doors and book lunch at one of them. Island buses, taxis and wine tours mean nobody has to drive. Most cellar doors charge a tasting fee and opening hours change with the seasons, so check before you go. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends.
Stay close
Winemakers Loft is next door to Cable Bay Vineyard, so you can walk home after lunch and watch the sun go down over the Gulf from the deck.
Alberon Property & Accommodation · Mt Eden, Auckland and Landsdown Rd, Wānaka, New Zealand · +64 22 601 0943 · admin@alberon.co.nz