If you’re staying in Auckland and are on the hunt for a great way to get out of the city, look no further than Waiheke Island!
If you’re a wine lover, even better, because it’s known to be a haven for wine aficionados looking for an unforgettable escape into breathtaking natural landscapes. With lush vineyards, rolling hills, and beautiful coastal views, it’s much more than just exceptional wine and delicious food (though, that’s definitely reason for making the trip).
I’ve carefully curated a guide to the 5 top Waiheke Island wine tours out there today, ensuring you spend time and money on only top-tier experiences! Let’s jump right in!
Best Wine Tours on Waiheke Island
| Wine on Waiheke PREMIUM WINE Dull Days Scenic and Wine Tasting | Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour | The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Location: | 6 Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Auckland 1081 | Matiatia Ferry Terminal, Auckland 1081 | Hotel pickup and drop-off included |
| Start: | 9:45 AM | 9:50 AM | 10:40 AM |
| Duration: | 6 hours | 5.5 hours | 5.5 hours |
| Includes: | Scenic highlights tour and visits to 3 vineyards, tasting fees for all wines, complimentary chilled bottled water, wine guides, full commentary, transfers to lunch and ferry | Lunch (Vineyard Platter), snacks, wine tastings at 3 vineyards, olive oil tasting, live commentary on board, local taxes, small group tour, air-conditioned vehicle | Wine tastings at 3 vineyards, scenic tour, lunch, air-conditioned vehicle, in-depth wine-related commentary, Goods and Services Tax |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Waiheke Island Wine Tours For 2024
- Wine on Waiheke PREMIUM WINE Full Days Scenic and Wine Tasting
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
- The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour
- Premium Full Day Waiheke Wine Tour
- Gorgeous Small Group Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour
Waiheke Island Wine Tour Reviews
1. Wine on Waiheke PREMIUM WINE Dull Days Scenic and Wine Tasting
- Duration: 6 hours
- Departure: 6 Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Auckland 1081
- Departure Time: 9:45 AM
- Includes: Scenic highlights tour and visits to 3 vineyards, tasting fees for all wines, complimentary chilled bottled water, ‘Waiheke Island of Wine’ guides, full commentary, complimentary transfers to lunch and ferry
Waiheke Island is such a gem that I’d surprisingly never heard of before going on this first tour, but the entire experience left such a lasting positive impression on me, I had to put it first.
The Wine on Waiheke Premium Wine Dull Days Scenic and Wine Tasting tour is a must-see for anyone into wine, good company, and spending time in the middle of Mother Nature.
We had to purchase our Auckland ferry tickets ahead of time, so make sure you do that online if you can – you can also do so at the booth, but I find it more convenient to do the former.
We didn’t exactly know what to expect on the island, but were very excited – the ferry journey was also fun and comfortable, too! The ride to the island is quite brief and everything is easy to understand, so there’s no confusion or hassle.
Upon arrival, we met up with our knowledgeable, friendly guide who took us away to some of the island’s most prestigious wineries, sharing valuable information about each location’s background and specialty.
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Each vineyard was a rather boutique option, though all were award-winning and known for being one of the best. At each location, we went through an in-depth wine tasting, learning about the differences between each varietal and winemaking process.
It was great getting to meet the people behind the scenes, chatting with some of them over a delicious gourmet cuisine with the island’s charm surrounding us.
Finding wineries of this status in such a laidback atmosphere was an interesting, intriguing discovery, and I had a fabulous time enjoying the postcard-esque day. With a convenient ferry right back to the mainland, there’s no reason not to take advantage of this opportunity!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Departure: Matiatia Ferry Terminal, Auckland 1081
- Departure Time: 9:50 AM
- Includes: Lunch (Vineyard Platter), snacks, wine tastings at 3 vineyards, olive oil tasting, live commentary on board, local taxes, small group tour, air-conditioned vehicle
Something that kind of surprised me about the island was just how much incredible, world-class food it had to offer. While Auckland has some great restaurants, this next tour is the perfect alternative, offering much better views!
The Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour is great for not only foodies and those passionate about wine – it’s a fun outing that will show you the finer things in life!
To be fair, the weather that day was absolutely perfect, which only enhanced the experience of our tour throughout the entire time.
We met up with our guide at the ferry terminal a little before 10 am, which meant that we got to sleep in a little bit, too. Our guide was really friendly and informative, telling us historical background and other fun facts in a very natural, conversational way that made it easy to comprehend.
The ferry ride was super quick, and when we arrived on the island, we headed straight out to the first two boutique vineyards to sample not only plenty of amazing wines but also locally made olive oil, fresh-shucked oysters, and artisan cheese.
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It is worth mentioning that all of the wines were outstanding, and very much worth visiting just for that purpose, alone. After, we went to Casita Miro, which was a very beautiful, Spanish-style vineyard with mosaics that seem very Gaudi-esque.
It only made sense that here, they paired their wine with tasty snacks in the form of tapas, and at this point, I was thankfully full from all the delicious food.
However, I couldn’t resist trying some more wines along with a platter-style lunch consisting of all kinds of meats, seafood, cheeses, bread (do NOT forget the bread), and much more.
Overall, this day was a ton of fun consisting of a lot of educational opportunities, amazing wine, food, and views – what’s not to love?
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: 10:40 AM
- Includes: Wine tastings at 3 vineyards, scenic tour, lunch, air-conditioned vehicle, local guide, Goods and Services Tax
Sitting in the tranquil Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island is not only ideal for adventurers but for wine and nature lovers, as well. The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour is known for its gorgeous landscapes, charming vineyards, and of course, award-winning wines.
There’s plenty to see and do in Auckland, but if you’re looking to flee the madness of the big city for a bit, this is a great little escape.
What I really liked about this tour was just how convenient it was every step of the way, starting out with our guide picking us up right from our hotel lobby and heading to the ferry.
The ferry ride was very quick yet scenic, which meant that the majority of our tour consisted of exploring gorgeous vineyards and trying fantastic wines.
Upon arrival to the island, we headed to our first winery where we got to a behind-the-scenes look at how they make their wines and learn a bit about how they got started.
Between the visits, our guide shared interesting information on the history, culture, geography, and more about Waiheke and how Polynesian travelers arrived hundreds of years ago.
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After the first visit, we took a well-deserved break to make our way to a little village to grab some lunch and relax. After a couple of hours of eating and strolling around at our leisure, we then headed to Mudbrick Vineyard, which reminded me of a little romantic Tuscan getaway.
We went on a couple more winery visits, with one of them offering breathtaking views over the ocean, which was worth it just for that!
However, the additional input and wine tasting info from the guides made it much more interesting, and I feel like I could be somewhat of a wine expert amongst my friends now! This was a great time that I’d recommend to anyone, even if you’re not someone who particularly likes wine!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Premium Full Day Waiheke Wine Tour
- Duration: 6 hours
- Departure: Matiatia Ferry Terminal, Auckland 1081
- Departure Time: 10:35 AM
- Includes: Visit 3-4 boutique vineyards, 3 to 5 complimentary wine tastings at each, air-conditioned vehicle transport
If you’d like to escape the bustling city for the day and head out into the lush beauty of a laidback island, look no further!
The Premium Full Day Waiheke Wine Tour is a wonderful half-day adventure that will show you the finest national varietals and stunning views, while still having you back by dinnertime.
Led by expert local guides, you’ll get to enjoy a curated selection of New Zealand’s top wineries, from boutiques to larger, internationally acclaimed vineyards.
While this tour doesn’t include a complimentary hotel pickup, they do offer round-trip island transport from the ferry terminal by luxury minibus.
Our guide did a fantastic job driving us around safely and efficiently, while offering a little commentary about the area’s history and other interesting facts.
The extra time with our guide in the bus actually taught me quite a bit about viticulture that I hadn’t learned from other tours, which I also appreciated. Something that I think is worth mentioning is that this is anything but a cookie-cutter tour.
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You’re not going to have the same stops every time – in fact, they try their best to switch things up on a daily basis so everyone experiences something unique to them.
With 23 cellar doors on the island, there’s a ton to choose from, and our guide even asked for a bit of our own interests to influence where he took us that day.
After visiting a couple of wineries to learn about their estates, how they got started, and taste plenty of their award-winning wines, we had an a la carte lunch out in a beautiful vineyard.
The knowledgeable staff at each stop was a pleasure to meet and chat with, and our guide was very entertaining and funny. All in all, the pieces all came together to form a perfect morning and afternoon in this beautiful little island.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Gorgeous Small Group Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour
- Duration: 5 hours
- Departure: Matiatia Ferry Terminal, Auckland 1081
- Departure Time: 10:45 AM
- Includes: Taste up to 15 Waiheke Island boutique wines, small food pairings (where possible), all taxes, fees and handling charges, lunch stop, air-conditioned vehicle
Last, but certainly not least, is the Gorgeous Small Group Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour! This tour took us through the ethereal vineyards of this special island with a kind of small-group format for an intimate experience that felt like a good friend was showing us around.
As New Zealand’s premier wine region, you can expect impeccable views, a personalized wine tasting experience, and tons of hidden gems, on top of it all.
We met up with our guide early in the morning at the ferry terminal to make the short journey over to Waiheke Island, while learning all about it as we cruised along.
I didn’t know this before, but the island actually has a very nice microclimate ideal for producing said world-class wines, making it a popular destination for vino enthusiasts from all over the world.
Our group size maxed out at just 12 people, which was great for meeting other travelers while still having that close-knit experience. The tour typically includes visits to 3 different handpicked wineries, though the ones that you’ll visit will probably differ a bit from those that I got to see.
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Again, it’s all about offering a customized experience where you do get a good amount of say in where you go (should you want to pick). Learning about the island’s special terrain, landscapes, and climate, along with their winemaking techniques was really cool, too!
It made a lot of sense, and I could relate the facts back to their crisp Sauvignon Blancs and rich Merlots, almost tasting what made them so different from others I’ve tried from other parts of the globe.
This opportunity to try such a diverse range of varietals did not go unnoticed, with amazing staff and owners who were eager to make us feel at home. Combine all that with panoramic views of the pristine beaches and rolling hills, and it all makes for an unforgettable experience.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Wines Tasted
Tour Guides
Value
The Wine on Waiheke PREMIUM WINE Full Days Scenic and Wine Tasting is our Editors Choice for the best Waiheke Island wine tour
