Auckland wine country, New Zealand's oldest wine region, was on our radar. After arrival in port via cruise ship we were off to catch the ferry to Waiheke Island. I was excited by the fact that some of the most famous wineries in the North Island are found on Waiheke Island.
As we left port that cloudy April morning, I enjoyed viewing Auckland in the distance.
Off to Auckland Wine Country © Spaswinefood
New Zealand has eleven wine regions, with each being divided into sub-regions.
North Island’s main regions: Northland, Auckland, Waitkato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Wairarapa (Martinborough).
South Island’s main regions: Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury/Waipara Valley, and Central Otago.
The vineyards are mostly found on the eastern coastlines of New Zealand’s North and South Islands. The growing conditions in New Zealand’s vineyards are influenced by its maritime climate.These influences certainly play an important role in the North Island's Auckland region, our second stop in New Zealand. Auckland, one of New Zealand's oldest wine regions, was established in the early 1900s by passionate Croatian, Lebanese and English winemakers. Auckland’s wine region, is spread across a large, geographically diverse area. It has three distinctive subregions, Waiheke Island, Historic West Auckland, and stretches north to the coastal enclave of Matakana. This region is home to powerful, intense reds. Red blends in the north and on Waiheke Island (which also has great Syrah), plus world class Chardonnay and fine Aromatics. The result is Auckland’s modern wine industry, with its Red Blend (Bordeaux style), Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay, shines.
Fortunately while in Auckland we were able to take a ferry to Waiheke Island to visit wineries.
Waiheke Island
This picturesque island further defines the boundaries of the Auckland wine region. While the island is within the boundaries of the Auckland region it has a unique terroir. Its warm, dry maritime climate promotes intensity, varietal depth, and purity of fruit. It is known for its Cabernet blends, the island has been applauded for its gutsy Syrah, elegant Chardonnay, deep, fruit-filled Montepulciano and Petit Verdot, and fragrant Viognier and Pinot Gris wines. We would get to taste some of these.
Taking the ferry to visit Waiheke Island wineries meant we cruised through the Hauraki Gulf. As we left port that cloudy April morning I enjoying viewing Auckland in the distance.
Off to Waiheke Island, Auckland Wine Country © Spaswinefood
After disembarking it was onto a hop-on, hop-off double-decker Explorer Bus tour of this enchanting island. Visitors soon discover the island’s iconic spots like Oneroa Village, and Onetangi Beach. By hopping on and off at leisure we explored some of its vineyards. Moreover, if time permits visitors can also discover its beaches, restaurants, and more.
While on Waiheke Island we planned to checkout the wines at Stonyridge Vineyard, Te Motu Vineyard,Tantalus Estate, and Mudbrick Vineyard. Given our time restrictions, and some winery closures that day we managed to do a wine tasting at Stonyridge, and have lunch with wines at Mudbrick. It was an amazing day with good wines, and a fabulous lunch at Mudbrick Winery.
Stonyridge Vineyard
Our first stop on the island was Stonyridge Vineyard.
As we exited the bus on the main route we walked up the hill towards the vineyard. The estate is situated on gently rolling hills. Once we reached the entrance we headed to a veranda cafe where we selected a wine tasting option from the menu. We elected to do their premium wine tasting. This tasting ended up being their La Bodega Pinot Gris 2023, Airfield 2022 - their flagship wine, and Larosse 2021- their well known Bordeaux style blend.
This was our first introduction to Waiheke Island wines. We were not disappointed, as it lived up to its reputation for excelling in its Bordeaux style blends.
Next, after later finding out that two of our planned wine stops were closed, we headed back across the island to Mudbrick Vineyard.
Mudbrick Vineyard just happens to be one of the best wineries on the island, with awesome views. Given this winery has an excellent restaurant we decided to have lunch and order some of their premium wines to taste.
Rather than do a wine tasting in the tasting room we elected to order two of their Reserve Chardonnays (2022 and 2023), and their Reserve Syrah 2020 to taste during lunch.
Budbrick, Reserve Chardonnay 2023 (left) & 2022 (right)
Reserve Chardonnays 2023 (left) and 2022(Right) © Spaswinefood
Reserve Chardonnay 2023 © SpaswinefoodThese are excellent Chardonnays.
Mudbrick, Reserve Syrah 2020 (left) Reserve Chardonnay 2022 (right)
Mudbrick Vineyard, Reserve Syrah 2020 (left) Reserve Chardonnay 2022 (right) © Spaswinefood
We were impressed by the wine quality here. These wines certainly illustrated gutsy Syrah, and elegant Chardonnay for which the island is known for producing. So glad we visited Mudbrick because we were not disappointed. Indeed, I can see why this winery is so popular and gets top reviews. Moreover, we absolutely enjoyed the stunning views from this winery.
Later, we would head back to the ferry terminal to take the ferry back to Auckland. I was so glad that we visited Waiheke Island given that some of the most famous wineries in the North Island are found there.
After leaving port at Auckland it was onto Tauranga for our third and final stop in New Zealand. Tauranga’s Mount Maunganui is an idyllic beach and popular holiday spot.
Tauranga, New Zealand © Spaswinefood
Cruise ships docking in Tauranga offer many tour options, and optional day trips to Rotorua, which is approximately one hours drive from the Port of Tauranga. In geothermal Rotorua, boiling mud pools, geysers and natural hot springs offer unique experiences for those seeking such adventures. Tauranga and Rotorua are both rich in Māori history. Our Tauranga stop was a nice change of pace, to round out our New Zealand wine travel explorations.
My visit to Waiheke Island in North Island's Auckland wine country has inspired me to learn more, and enhanced my desire for future wine travels to the South Island. I invite you to join me in my travels in New Zealand and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I look forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations in New Zealand.
CHEERS!
Sharon
April 2024
North Island Wine County, New Zealand
© Spaswinefood
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