KEY POINTS:
Sipping and sampling the wines of Waiheke Island is the perfect way to spend a sunny, warm spring afternoon.
Luckily, it's also the perfect way to while away a blustery, drizzly, chilly spring afternoon. And not even rain and wind can spoil the views across Hauraki Gulf found at three of Waiheke's best wineries - Mudbrick, Ridgeview and Te Whau.
The three make up the itinerary of Fuller's Wine on Waiheke tours, which begin with the scenic 40-minute ferry ride across the harbour from downtown Auckland.
From Matiatia Wharf you are met by your driver and bundled into the - thankfully, given the state of the weather on this visit - toasty warm bus.
First stop is Mudbrick, where staff guide you through a premium tasting of the boutique vineyard's best wines. Mudbrick, named after the main building's chief construction material, sits majestically on the hilltop overlooking Matiatia Bay, with the spires of the city far away in the distance.
After a quick lesson in vine pruning it's back on the bus for the scenic route to Ridgeview.
The tour route you take between vineyards depends on how much time you have up your sleeve. With the weather making it less pleasant to dilly-dally outside drinking, we have more time to meander around the island's most scenic spots.
At Ridgeview winery the pinot gris is creating a lot of ballyhoo among the locals, who flock to buy each vintage as soon as it's available, but Ridgeview also does a great selection of reds. And thankfully, along with the tastings, it's also time for a feast of bread, dips and olives to keep the tour members from getting too tipsy.
Once we're fully sated we wind our way to the stunning Te Whau Point - one of Waiheke's most spectacular spots.
The stylish restaurant and tasting room of Te Whau winery sit out over the edge of the hillside to make the most of the astounding views - which are almost as impressive as the astounding wines.
Here, owner Tony Forsyth guides us through tastings of the 2005 and 2006 vintages of The Point, a blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and malbec.
It was an outstanding and great way to finish. We'll definitely revisit this particular Waiheke gem.
From there it's back on the bus to return to Matiatia, taking a longer, scenic route through Onetangi, listening to the comforting rattle of wine bottles stashed in nooks and crannies all over the bus.
* * *
Fullers Wine on Waiheke tours run daily from the downtown Auckland ferry terminal at 1pm. From Matiatia Wharf on Waiheke you'll be collected in a Fuller's coach and taken around the three wineries.
Tickets are $115 per person and include return ferry tickets, the wine tour with tastings and nibbles, and an all-day bus pass to continue exploring the island.
The tour takes four hours, including ferry travel. No tours Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday or Anzac Day. To book call (09) 367 9111 or visit www.fullers.co.nz
- Detours, HoS
