By Benjamin Quigan
Lately I have begun exploring a little wine region close to home.
Having been given the opportunity to sample a few wines from Waiheke Island, my curiosity grew about a region I had generally ignored in the past.
The wine region on Waiheke is small, with a total planted area of just 216 hectares – divided among 30 growers.
But the climate is what makes Waiheke Island wine growing interesting. Influenced strongly by the surrounding ocean, the island is protected from the colder and wetter west and southwest winds which make it both warmer and dryer than Auckland.
This means the average temperature during growing season is comparable to ‘hotter’ growing regions, and a major factor in the varieties of grapes that are planted.
Some of the varieties commonly planted are:
- Syrah
Syrah is probably the most critically acclaimed variety for the island - the warmer climate suites the grape perfectly. Waiheke Island Syrah is more like the subtle, elegant and floral style of the Rhone valley than an Australian Shiraz.
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is another popular grape grown on the island.
It will often be blended with a proportion of Merlot and/or Cabernet Franc and is at its best aged beyond 5 years.
- Chardonnay
The Chardonnay on island ripens early and is usually only lightly oaked.
Other common grapes grown on the island include Merlot, Viognier, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc.
Tours
For a small island there are many wineries on Waiheke, including
- Cable Bay
- Mudbrick
- Stonyridge
- Obsidian
Most are open seven days for tastings or tours, with many having great restaurants.
Only 35 minutes away from Auckland central it can make for a great day of tasting.
Find out more about wine tours on Waiheke Island
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