Wine on an Island Devine

When it comes to the go-to varietals associated with the bounty of New Zealand, nearly every wine drinker knows about the joy of a crisp Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region, or a silky Pinot Noir from Hawke’s Bay. But please, don’t let your palate get marooned on the two main Islands in New Zealand! The vineyards situated among the rolling hills of Waiheke Island are a sight to be sought and the wines are a delight to drink. If you make the trek all the way to New Zealand, keep going towards the tiny Island of Waiheke for a glass of wine that will not only surprise you, but make you wonder; “How have I not tried this before?!”

Waiheke is a thirty five minute ferry ride just northeast of Auckland. Located in the Hauraki Gulf, it is the second largest island in this system, and getting there is apart of the adventure. After you park your car in the belly of the ferry, my advice is to grab a cold beer, a bag of “crisps”, and watch as dollips of land emerge from the gulf. The cool breeze blowing off the water which dances across your face is truly one of those sensations that makes you know that you’re alive. If getting there is half the fun, then this excursion has the promise of endless possibilities.

The beaches of Waiheke are spotty strands which appear, then disappear between the expansive swaths of coastal forest. The ferry drops you off at the western side of the island which is easily manageable by car.  The island also has a hop on/hop off bus that will get you around the 36 square miles if you arrive on foot. Of the thirty wineries and tasting rooms (they call them cellar doors) on the island, we picked out three distinct wineries with varying terroirs to sample.

Peacock Sky lived up to its name, in that it was among the wineries with the highest altitude and was a hop away from their tiny airport. Panoramic views of the island, peacocks off in the distance, all paired with the down to earth staff made for a lovely afternoon experience. We began our combined wine flight/food pairing with a shot glass of Malaysian inspired curry coconut soup which paired surprisingly well with their estate-grown 2016 Chardonnay. A full bite of mango topped pork tenderloin which followed, came to life with their Bordeaux inspired Rosé. Next, a remarkable mini meatball ensued with one of the biggest fruit forward merlots that I’ve ever tasted. Of course, what pairing would be complete without a dessert consisting of a decadent double fudge brownie paired with their semi sweet ‘Le Côté de la Colline’. This estate Bordeaux blend is quite literally a stand alone dessert in itself.

At Peacock Sky, we were riding high atop the island, so for our next leg, we’d have to taste what’s growing on at the bottom of the hill.

At Batch Winery, we became privy to the Kiwi’s unique trellising and netting practices. Widely spaced out vines are clinically manicured and netted entirely.

The vines were netted, of course, but the space in between them as well. Everything is just, well, netted. It seemed like a dramatic overkill of netting, but hey, if it works, it works. The wine flight covered the full wine spectrum. They had minerally, almost greenish Fumé Blanc, oaky and golden Chardonnay, a sunset pinkish hued Rosé, and the deep purple cloak of a smoky Syrah. Like a perfectly presented meal, the colors of these different glasses allows you to taste with your eyes long before the glass touched your lips.

Cable Bay Vineyard was the final stop on our Waiheke wine tasting wanderings. This expansive vineyard has a lux feel coupled with stunning coastal plateau views. When you find a location that separates itself from other wineries through either spectacular wine, charm, or an out of this world view, you stick around. This place had A+ atmosphere for enjoying a glass on a hot day, so we lingered. In this instance we opted for their crisp Rosé while lounging in a pastoral field with views of the South Pacific. Holding up at a comfy winery is reminiscent to what the Island of Waiheke is to many of us. A condensed version of New Zealand itself. There is the decadent slow pace of life, the charm, the salty snacks, expansive beauty, and of course--great wine!

Thanks for visiting!