Gourmet Food And Wine, Oysters

A 5-hour-50-minute shared Waiheke Island wine outing run by Ananda Tours, rated 4.9 from 310 reviews.

Overview

Ananda Tours runs a 5 hour 50 minute food and wine circuit of Waiheke Island built around four tasting stops, and the day is designed for people who want to eat and drink their way across the island rather than only work through wine lists. The group is capped at 15 adults aged 18 and over, and the guide drives everyone in a small coach, so no car is needed.

The route begins at Kennedy Point Vineyard, where certified organic wines are poured alongside two Te Matuku Bay oysters per person and local Waiheke honey. Next comes Allpress Estate for an extra virgin olive oil tasting and a short introduction to how the island's oil is made. Casita Miro, a Spanish-inspired vineyard, hosts the longest stop: a wine and food pairing followed by a family-style Mediterranean tapas lunch with a glass of wine. The final visit is The Heke, home of Waiheke Whisky and Waiheke Brewing Co, for a tasting of local beer, gin, whisky and a liqueur. Every tasting fee and the lunch are covered by the tour price.

The tour suits adults who enjoy good food and drink. It is not suitable for vegans or wheelchair users, though other dietary needs and allergies can be catered for if flagged in advance. Between stops the coach takes the scenic northern route, with views across the Hauraki Gulf towards the Coromandel Peninsula.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Matiatia WharfThe guide meets the 9.50am ferry crowd at Matiatia Wharf on Waiheke Island, holding a sign board.
2. Scenic drive and Kennedy PointThe coach follows the northern route with Hauraki Gulf views. At Kennedy Point Vineyard, a 40 minute stop covers a wine tasting, two Te Matuku Bay oysters each and local honey.
3. Allpress EstateA 45 minute stop for an extra virgin olive oil tasting and an introduction to how the island's olive oil is made, followed by a 15 minute transfer.
4. Casita Miro lunchThe longest stop, 1.5 hours, with a wine tasting, wine and food pairing and a family-style Mediterranean tapas lunch with a glass of wine.
5. The HekeAfter a 15 minute drive, a 45 minute tasting of local beer, gin, whisky and a liqueur at the home of Waiheke Whisky and Waiheke Brewing Co.
6. Return to Matiatia or OneroaAround 3.40pm the coach drops guests either at Matiatia Wharf for the ferry or in Oneroa Village to explore independently. Ferry tickets are not included.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan the day, from the ferry timing to what the weather means for the tour.

• Getting there. Pickup from Auckland is not part of this tour. You catch the 9am Fullers ferry or the 9.15am Island Direct ferry from Downtown Auckland, and ferry tickets are paid separately. The guide meets you at Matiatia Wharf at 9.50am with a sign board.
• Group feel. Groups are limited to 15 guests, and one reviewer described travelling in a group of just five. One traveller noted that the shuttle driver was also their tour guide, and another described the wineries as small and intimate with a local vibe.
• Food and pace. The day is paced around food rather than rushed tastings, with the longest stop being a 1.5 hour sit-down tapas lunch at Casita Miro. One reviewer called the lunch and the wine pairings superb, and another said the lunch was delicious. Additional drinks at lunch cost extra.
• Weather. The tour runs in the rain, and the vehicles carry umbrellas. Some of the scenery between stops, including views towards the Coromandel Peninsula, is enjoyed from the coach window.
• Dietary needs. The tour cannot cater for vegans or strict kosher diets. Other dietary requirements and allergies can be accommodated if you tell the operator before you travel. Oysters are seasonal and are replaced with another gourmet treat when unavailable.
• Group bookings. A group of 8 or more adults can book this tour as a private group at the same price per person. Oversize luggage is not allowed on board. Alcohol cannot be consumed inside the vehicles.

Common issues. The honest limits: the tour is restricted to guests aged 18 and over and is not suitable for vegans or wheelchair users, so families with children and some travellers with mobility needs should look elsewhere. Te Matuku Bay oysters are seasonal and will be swapped for another gourmet treat when unavailable, and the tasting and lunch venues may change with availability, with substitutes described as of equal quality. Ferry tickets, extra drinks at lunch and gratuities are not covered, so budget for the crossing on top of the tour price. One reviewer noted a language barrier, though they said the guide worked hard to overcome it and were satisfied overall.

Before You Book