Visiting Waiheke Island should be on every New Zealand trip itinerary. Not only is the island insanely beautiful, there’s also a lot to see and do.
One of the best things to do in Waiheke, however, is to take advantage of the fertile soil and unique microclimate by sampling all of the wine, beer, and olive oil the island has to offer.
To make your tasting tour easier, here’s the comprehensive Waiheke Island Tasting Guide. It’s all of the places to head to for beer tastings, olive oil tastings, and wine tastings!
Table of Contents
Tip: Click the star next to “Waiheke Island Tasting Guide” above to view this map on the Google Maps app on your phone.
Wine Tasting
1Batch Winery
Cellar door open for wine tasting and restaurant open for lunch, dinner, and high tea. Have transportation options available when booking online.
2Cable Bay Vineyards
A beautiful outdoor area with some of the best views on the island. Two restaurants on-site – The Verandah (casual) and The Dining Room (elegant).
3Destiny Bay Wines
Not open to the general public, but tastings and tours are available by appointment to those looking to join their Patron Club.
4Frenchmens Hill Estate
Offers wine tastings, olive oil tastings, and food platters. Cellar door and gift shop closed during the harvest period.
5Goldie Estate
Waiheke Island’s oldest vineyard. Cellar door and deli on site. Picnic baskets and cheese boards available for enjoying in the vineyards.
6Hay Paddock Wines
Wine tastings available in the Rangihoua Estate shop and tasting room.
7Jurassic Ridge
Focuses on natural wines and sustainable practices. Cellar door open Wed-Sun, but appointments may be necessary during harvest.
8Kennedy Point Vineyard
Waiheke’s only certified organic vineyard. Offers tastings of their wines, olive oil, avocado oil, and honey. Serves oysters, cheeses, and smoked salmon as well.
9Man O’War Vineyards
The only beach-front cellar door on the island, plus one of the only places offering free tastings.
10Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard
Beautiful vineyard offering wine tasting and tours. Has two restaurants – Mudbrick Restaurant (elegant/romantic) and Archive Bar & Bistro (casual/comfortable).
11Obsidian Vineyard
One of the smaller wineries offering tastings in a rustic setting.
12Passage Rock Wines & Bistro
Their Reserve Syrah is the most awarded wine on Waiheke. They have a bistro with views of the vineyards and a cellar door open on weekends.
13Peacock Sky Vineyard
Offers a ‘degustation experience’, pairing each wine with a bite of complementing food. Lunch is also available at their restaurant.
14Poderi Crisci Restaurant and Vineyard
An Italian wine experience in NZ. La Locanda, their onsite deli, offers tastings and a light menu, plus an ‘Apertivo Evening” on Fridays. Their main restaurant is open for dinner and also offers a popular ‘Sunday Long Lunch’.
15Stonyridge Vineyard
Known for their Bordeaux blends, tastings are offered in a casual garden setting. They also have a cafe serving lunch daily.
16Tantalus Estate
Beautiful venue with wine tastings and a restaurant upstairs, plus a brewery and casual dining downstairs.
17Te Motu Wines
Cellar door offers tastings of their Bordeaux style wines as well as a light food menu. Onsite restaurant, The Shed, also available.
18Wild on Waiheke
Offers archery, laser clay-bird shooting, wildtag, plus other free activities like petanque, giant chess, and volleyball. Plus wine tastings, beer tastings, and food.
19Woodside Hill Winery
Small winery specializing in Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Limited tasting hours, but available by appointment outside those hours.
Olive Oil Tasting
1Frenchmens Hill Estate
Offers wine tastings, olive oil tastings, and food platters. Cellar door and gift shop closed during the harvest period.
2Honey House & Cafe
Tastings of their honey and olive oil are available. Also has a cafe open for breakfast and lunch with homemade pastries and cakes.
3Kennedy Point Vineyard
Waiheke’s only certified organic vineyard. Offers tastings of their wines, olive oil, avocado oil, and honey. Serves oysters, cheeses, and smoked salmon as well.
4Rangihoua Estate
Offers tours and tastings of their award-winning olive oils, chutneys, and spreads. Hay Paddock Wines also offers wine tastings here.
Beer Tasting
1Alibi Brewing Company
Brewery and casual dining downstairs, with wine tastings and more refined dining upstairs.
2Wild on Waiheke
Offers archery, laser clay-bird shooting, wildtag, plus other free activities like petanque, giant chess, and volleyball. Plus wine tastings, beer tastings, and food.
>> Have you been to Waiheke Island? Leave a comment below with your favorite spots to visit!
