Waiheke Island - Wine

Wine

Waiheke Island has become known as New Zealand's "island of wine," home to a dedicated group of winegrowers who have successfully matched the maritime climate and ancient soil structures to the selection of classical grape varieties to produce red and white wines with distinctive varietal character.

Waiheke's climate are well suited to growing Bordeaux wine-type grapes, though some Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc varieties are also considered to be good. Waiheke winegrowers regularly win awards for Syrah, proving the island's terroir suits it well.

The local wines are relatively expensive because of the limited size of many of the vineyards. Among the vineyards and wineries on Waiheke Island are:

• Awaroa Vineyard - The organic Awaroa vineyards lie on west-facing slopes among native bush in the middle of Waiheke Island. Syrah and Cabernet sauvignon are the main varieties planted.
• Cable Bay Vineyards - Cable Bay Vineyards makes wines from grapes grown on Waiheke Island and in Marlborough. Varieties grown include Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Five Hills Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet and Rosé.
• Destiny Bay Vineyards - Destiny Bay is Waiheke Island’s only Cabernet blend specialist and first fully certified sustainable winery. The 2007 Magna Praemia is New Zealand's highest rated wine by an international critic, and received 98/100 points by Anthony Dias Blue.
• Edbrooke Vineyard - Jeremy Edbrooke has over 7 acres (28,000 m2) planted in Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris grapes which are supplied to Waiheke Island's Passage Rock Wines.
• Fenton Estate - First planted in 1989, Fenton Twin Bays Vineyard is a north-facing property that spans two small bays separated by a peninsula.
• Goldwater Estate - Begun by pioneering Waiheke winemakers Kim and Jeanette Goldwater, Goldwater Estate was among the first wine making operations on Waiheke. Its awards include being named winery of the year by Wines and Spirits Magazine in 2001.
• Isola Estate - Isola Estate has its vineyard in the Onetangi area.
• Jurassic Ridge - Jurassic Ridge is a small, family-owned vineyard and winery, named for the surrounding geology. It produces hand-crafted Syrah, Montepulciano, Pinot Gris and Cabernet Franc. Jurassic greywacke is a major feature of the terroir.
• Kennedy Point Vineyard - Kennedy Point Vineyard is on the southwestern side and was established in 1996. It specialises in growing and producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah wines.
• Man o'War - Situated at the northern end of Waiheke Island, the Man o'War vineyards are planted on numerous small sites on the 5,000-acre (20 km2) Man o'War farm.
• Miro Vineyard - Miro Vineyard produces two wines, both red Bordeaux blends. The vineyard overlooks the ocean at Onetangi Beach.
• Mudbrick Vineyard - Mudbrick is one of the Waiheke's best known wineries and has a Provence-style restaurant made of mudbrick. The vineyard produces merlot, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and Syrah grapes.
• Obsidian Vineyard - Obsidian Vineyard in Onetangi. It is a 17-hectare property established in 1993. Obsidian, its flagship wine, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Its label is "Weeping Sands" (the translation of "Onetangi"). In 2007 Obsidian won a trophy and gold medal at the Romeo Bragato National Wine Competition for its first release of the Montepulciano variety.
• Passage Rock Wines - Passage Rock Vineyard is at the eastern end of Waiheke Island at the head of Te Matuku Bay. Its first vines were planted in 1994.
• Peacock Sky - Peacock Sky Vineyard is located in the centre of Waiheke Island with views across the Hauraki Gulf to Auckland.
• Peninsula Estate on Hakaimango Point was planted in 1986/87. These original plantings of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and malbec, also now include chardonnay and syrah.
• Poderi Crisci Estate
• Ridgeview Estate
• Saratoga Estate
• Stony Batter Estate - Stony Batter Estate, the island's largest vineyard, is at the north-eastern corner of the island
• Stonyridge Vineyard - Stonyridge was founded in 1981 in the Onetangi Valley. Specialising in Bordeaux-style reds, the vineyard's most famous wine is its Stonyridge Larose.
• Te Motu Vineyard - Te Motu Vineyard was established in the Onetangi Valley in 1989. The first vintage was produced in 1993.
• Te Whau Vineyard
• The Hay Paddock - This 12-acre (49,000 m2), stone-walled vineyard on Seaview Road is planted in Syrah vines sourced from the Hermitage AOC region of the Rhone Valley. Cellar-aged collector wines are released under the Harvest Man and Hay Paddock labels.
• Topknot Hill Vineyard
• View East Vineyard - A boutique vineyard on the south eastern corner of Waiheke Island specialising in Syrah.
• Woodside Hill