Wine, Gin And Food Tour

A 6-hour small-group Waiheke Island wine outing run by WOW Tours NZ - Waiheke Island, rated 5 from 18 reviews.

Overview

This six hour tour from WOW Tours NZ mixes wine with gin and a sit down lunch. You meet the guide at Matiatia wharf after the morning ferry from Auckland, board an air conditioned vehicle with a maximum of 11 travellers, and spend the day being driven between stops with nothing to organise yourself. Tasting fees are all included, so you are not dipping into a wallet at each door.

The listed route takes in Jasper Ridge Estate, Three Seven Two, Waiheke Distilling Co and Awaroa Winery, with shared gourmet food served at the distillery tasting and lunch included along the way. Several reviewers praised the mix itself, saying the olive oil, gin and wine sequence kept the day varied, and that lunch pushed the whole thing above a standard tasting tour. Reviewers also noted that the less visited locations made each stop feel personal.

It works well for anyone who wants a full day out with a guide doing the driving, and who likes hearing the stories behind the wines and spirits. It is not a fit for wheelchair users, and the listing does not recommend it for pregnant travellers. Anyone happy to catch a morning ferry and be back for a late afternoon sailing will get the most from it.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Matiatia wharfYour host greets you at the ferry terminal at Matiatia holding a WOW Tours board. The end point is the same wharf.
2. Jasper Ridge EstateFirst stop, one hour, admission ticket included.
3. Three Seven TwoA stop of one hour 25 minutes with admission included.
4. Waiheke Distilling CoFifty minutes, with shared gourmet food served at the distillery tasting.
5. Awaroa WineryFinal stop of fifty minutes with admission included, before the drive back.
6. Return to MatiatiaThe tour ends back at the wharf in time for the afternoon ferry to Auckland.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things shape the day, from ferry timing to what the weather does.

• Book the ferry. The listing advises booking the ferry as soon as the tour is confirmed. Island Direct is the operator the listing recommends, with a 9:15am sailing from Auckland and a 4:15pm return. If using Fullers instead, be on the 9:00am departure, and the listing suggests arriving up to 60 minutes early because it runs first come, first served.
• Group feel. The tour is capped at 11 travellers, so it stays small. Reviewers said the stops felt personal because the groups are not large.
• Food and drink. Lunch, all tasting fees and shared gourmet food at the distillery are included in the price. Reviewers mention starting with bread and olive oil before moving to gin, vodka and wine, so pace yourself across the day.
• Weather and clothing. The tour requires good weather, and one reviewer dressed for predicted wind and rain and still had a good day. If the forecast looks changeable, it is worth dressing for it.
• Getting home with bottles. Several reviewers said they bought wine or spirits at nearly every stop and had to carry it. Pack a bag with space if you expect to do the same.
• Accessibility. The listing states the tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for pregnant travellers. It is near public transport and most travellers can participate.

Common issues. The tour depends on the ferry, so a late or full sailing can derail the morning; the listing itself warns that Fullers queues get long in peak season and it is first come, first served. It is not wheelchair accessible. Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the start for a refund, and poor weather can end in a different date or a full refund rather than the planned day. The listing also flags the tour as not recommended for pregnant travellers.

Before You Book