The Donaldson family have been seriously involved in wine since the early 1970’s and were pioneers of local grape growing and wine making. Associate Professor and Consultant Neurologist, Ivan Donaldson is a wine writer and wine judge and has recently been awarded an Order of Merit for his contribution to Neurology. He also oversees viticulture and wine styles while his wife Christine directs most of her energy on maintaining the winery’s extensive grounds. She is also a lover of opera and the arts and has been heavily involved in the local Opera scene for many years. Christine has organised a number of concerts at the winery’s natural amphitheatre and a reserve range of wines have been dedicated to Christine’s passion for opera. Their eldest son, Matthew is winemaker and graduated with an oenology degree and a postgraduate diploma in viticulture at Roseworthy College in Australia. He has worked many vintages in other parts of the world, with a particular focus on Burgundy. 2012 marked Matthew’s 20th vintage at Pegasus Bay. Another son, Edward is Marketing Manager who spends much of his time trotting the globe and promoting his family’s wines to the more than 25 countries where Pegasus Bay is distributed, his wife Belinda directs the winery’s multi award winning restaurant. The youngest son Paul, who has an MBA, is the winery’s General Manager. Pegasus Bay is an entirely family-owned and operated enterprise.

The Te Motu Vineyard story began in 1988 when the Dunleavy family procured 30 acres of prime “vineyard valley” and nourished it into a haven of premier wine. As one of the pioneers of the Waiheke wine movement, the family’s vision was clear from the outset: To master wines of the ‘Bordeaux’ style, comprised predominantly from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In 1989 the first vines were planted. The first vintage of Te Motu was produced in 1993. Te Motu’s vineyard lies in the heart of Waiheke Island’s Onetangi Valley, where it is sheltered from the north by the ridge which guards Onetangi’s famous beach, and from the west by the massive rocky outcrop known as Stonyridge. One of Te Motu vineyard’s boundaries is formed by the Rangihoua creek, which flows into an inlet of Putiki Bay. The inlet was named Te Rangihoua (‘day of renewal’) by Tamatekapua – captain of the Maori canoe Te Arawa – because it was his first landfall in the long voyage from Hawaiiki. There, Te Arawa was re­lashed before continuing on to its final landing place at Maketu. The vineyard’s name ‘Te Motu’ comes from the original Maori name for Waiheke, Te Motu­Arai­Roa (‘island of long shelter’).

Casita Miro Restaurant is the 'raison d'etre' of Cat Vosper, wife of Miro Vineyard winemaker Barnett Bond, mother of George, Harrison and Miro and former lawyer. Cat's passion for the food and wine of Spain and the Mediterranean was the catalyst to start what is now the award winning Casita Miro. After several years of serving tapas informally on the terrace overlooking the vineyards, Cat eventually sold the kids in order to build the beautiful art deco style pavilion now housing the restaurant. Casita has won numerous awards including Audi Metro 2011 Rural Restaurant of the Year as well as Cat winning the 2011 Restaurant Personality of the Year. Whilst we are humbled by these awards, we try not to rest on our laurels and constantly strive to be one of Auckland's finest restaurants. Most recently the restaurant was announced as runner up as Auckland's best Destination Restaurant for 2016 in the Metro magazine Top 50 award

Takatu Vineyard lies on what was once an ancient Kauri forest. It has a clay soil and relies on the sub tropical rain fall to irrigate the vines. Each year the variation of rain and sun beating down on the slope of the vineyard determines its own vintage. The vineyard is relatively small but has a charm of its own, growing five different varieties of grape. The main focus is on getting quality production over quantity. To achieve this, most of the work is done by hand using local people and some backpackers from overseas at peak time. Each drop of wine has taken sunshine, rain and nutrients from the earth, sweat and patience of the human hand and time and testing with our wine maker to bring you the final product.

Grapes were first planted at Heron's Flight Vineyard and Winery in 1987, by David Hoskins and Mary Evans. Together they have made wine, raised a family, and run a successful business from the land for over 20 years - it has become their turangawaewae. Over the years they have adjusted many aspects of the business, including the grapes grown in the vineyard and the nature of the original vineyard café. They have also lived on the vineyard land since the early 1990's.

t all began in the early 1990's, when the owners of five newly-planted vineyards in Bannockburn shook hands and decided to work together to produce wine under one label, Mt Difficulty. The handshake bound the owners of Molyneux, Mansons Farm, Verboeket Estate and Full Circle until 2004 when Mt Difficulty Wines Ltd was formed, and the majority of the individual vineyards passed into the ownership of the company. As a result, Mt Difficulty Wines Ltd now owns some of the oldest vineyards in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago in New Zealand's rugged South Island. The vine age gives our wines, particularly the Pinot Noirs, extra complexity and concentration. The Bannockburn area is internationally recognised as one of the few places in the world outside Burgundy where the pernickety Pinot Noir variety has found a home. Parts of New Zealand and cooler areas on the western seaboard of the United States are the only other regions where Pinot Noir seems to truly flourish.

We visited New Zealand to look at a vineyard for sale in the south but a chance to rest and recover on Waiheke before flying south changed our minds. During our short stay we became enchanted with Waiheke Island, the bourgeoning reputation for Waiheke wines also helped. Wines created by Batch Winery on Waiheke are batch-driven and boutique. Each wine created by Batch Winery carries a label reflecting the care of each batch of grapes to wine with unique “batch” numbers referencing vintage years and styles of wine. The label also recalls the colours of wine in tone and shade from pale lemon lime to claret and rose. The name of Batch Winery recalls all this and more. There is also another influence. New Zealand’s iconic “bach” is a word that sounds the same and importantly, recalls New Zealand’s relaxed family holiday lifestyle. The New Zealand word “bach” references a holiday home, often simple and by the sea, a place where extended family relaxes together building family memories, a concept synonymous with Waiheke Island.”

Peacock Sky Vineyard is located in the centre of Waiheke Island with views across the Hauraki Gulf to Auckland. The Tasting Room and adjacent Le Côté de la Colline restaurant enjoy bucolic views of the vineyard and surrounding hills, in an intimate setting cradled by lush native bush. Sample fine wines accompanied by carefully selected food pairings in a degustation style tasting, then enjoy casual gourmet dining in one of several indoor/outdoor seating areas. Peacock Sky produces a variety of red and white wines from Waiheke Island grown fruit, including their unique and memorable Blanc de Noirs Méthode Traditionelle. Check website for opening hours, reservations recommended. Call to discuss conference or wedding packages.

Goldie Estate is the name of our boutique vineyard and winery, nestled amongst 30 acres of native bush and rolling vineyards on Waiheke Island overlooking Putiki By. It’s here that we create character wines that draw on the knowledge and experience of Kim and Jeanette Goldwater, who founded winegrowing on Waiheke in 1978. We continue their philosophy of nurturing and continually improving our established vineyards. The vineyard is also home to the University of Auckland’s Wine Science Centre, providing innovative education and research for the benefit of the wider wine industry. The immersion of students and researchers in an operating winery setting also means the winery benefits through access to leading academic developments. The heart of the vineyard is the people. We’re lucky to have enjoyed the company of a passionate and resourceful team of winemakers and viticulturists over the years who have all contributed to developing the character of our vineyards and wines. They have absorbed the enthusiasm and care of the Goldwater family who believe enjoying an excellent glass of wine with friends in a stunning environment is great reward. The creation of the Goldwater Wine Science Centre at the vineyard by the University of Auckland also means the vineyard enjoys the energy and enthusiasm of students pursuing their academic passion

Now privately owned and managed by the Raymond Thompson Family Trust, Tirohana Estate is a boutique, award-winning vineyard (and restaurant) located on the “golden mile” with unique soil properties nourished by the alluvial terraces of the ancient dry riverbed in Martinborough on the North Island of New Zealand. Raymond Thompson has always enjoyed New Zealand and the Wairarapa region as a refuge from his hectic activities in the global film and television industries and visits the area on occasion almost as a getaway. As do many visitors from the wine connoisseur to new enthusiasts. Or even passing tourists looking for a different break away. Tirohana Estate produces award-winning premium wines exclusively from its home block, has received many international accolades and enjoys the unique distinction of winning the prestigious Romeo Bragato award for Championship Pinot Noir NZ and Championship Reserve Wine NZ, as well as several Championship trophies and medals, along with a Cuisine 5 star recommendation acknowledging Tirohana Estate Pinot Noir as being in the top ten Australasian wines. All the heritage varieties are handcrafted and handmade following traditional methods in both the vineyard and the winery by a dedicated team of staff with no expense spared in the pursuit of excellence.

Bannockburn, home to Carrick wines is found deep in the southern interior of the South Island of New Zealand in the wine region of Central Otago. Nestled at the southern end of one of the broad glacial river valleys surrounded by the Cairnmuir and Carrick mountain ranges, Bannockburn enjoys a continental climate with low rainfall and high sunshine hours. The long cool autumns with their warm days and cool nights create ideal conditions for the production of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. Other grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris also thrive in Central Otago's microclimate. In 1993 Carrick's first vineyard was planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc on the north facing Cairnmuir Terraces surrounded by the waters of Lake Dunstan. On the Eastern side of Cairnmuir Road our vineyards produce Pinot Noir and Riesling.

Saint Germaine said, "Wine symbolizes the alchemical marriage betwix Heaven and Earth." Waiheke Island is as close to heaven as you'll ever find, its unique soils and micro-climate favouring the grape like nowhere else. Destiny Bay Vineyards is a tiny, quintessential corner of Waiheke Island, gently contoured like an ancient amphitheatre, sheltering vines of impeccable lineage, where the alchemy of winemaking combines old world traditions, new world techniques, and a timeless passion for excellence.