Small-Group Tasting, Lunch Included

A 5.5-hour small-group Waiheke Island wine outing run by The Wine Tasting Company, rated 4.9 from 82 reviews.

Overview

The Wine Tasting Company runs this five hour 30 minute Waiheke circuit with the group capped at eleven guests, which is small enough that reviewers repeatedly describe feeling like a local was showing them around rather than a driver herding a bus. Tastings happen at three vineyards, some of them paired with food, and one of the stops is a proper sit-down lunch: either a shared platter with a glass of wine, or a main with a glass of wine. A local guide drives an air conditioned vehicle and fills the rides between stops with island stories.

The day is built around door-to-door convenience on the island itself. Pickup is included from Waiheke accommodation or from the ferry terminal, so most Auckland visitors take the Fullers ferry from 99 Quay St (tickets not included, bought separately) and meet the guide at the pier.

It suits couples, honeymoons and anniversary trips especially well, judging by how many reviewers booked it for exactly that, and anyone who wants tastings plus lunch without organising transport between vineyards. Guides also show some flexibility with the route: reviewers mention time set aside to walk around the shops and the beach during the tour.

What's Included

Included

Wine tastings at 3 vineyards (some will be paired with food)
Comfortable, air conditioned vehicles
Pickup from your accommodation on Waiheke Island or ferry terminal
Let by a local guide, sharing quirky island stories
Lunch - either a shared platter style lunch + glass of wine OR a main + glass of wine
GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Not Included

Ferry tickets

Itinerary

Pickup on WaihekeThe guide collects guests from their Waiheke accommodation or the ferry terminal. Ferry tickets from Auckland are not included.
Vineyard tastingsTastings at three vineyards, some paired with food. Reviews describe the vineyards as distinctly different from one another.
Lunch stopA shared platter style lunch or a main, each with a glass of wine included.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking, drawn from the listing and from what multiple travellers reported.

Getting there. Ferry tickets from Auckland are bought separately at the Fullers terminal at 99 Quay St. Travellers coming from the city should allow time to buy them before departure.
Group feel. With the group capped at eleven guests, reviewers often describe a relaxed, personal pace. Some reported very small groups, even a private-feeling run with one other guest.
Food and drink. Lunch with a glass of wine is included, plus tastings at three vineyards, some paired with food.
Flexible extras. One reviewer reports asking for a walk around the local shops with a morning coffee, and another describes time to browse the shops and beach during the day.
Weather. The listing states the experience requires good weather and offers a different date or a full refund if it is cancelled for poor conditions.
Accessibility. The listing states the tour is not wheelchair accessible, though most travellers can participate. Anyone with mobility concerns should check with the operator before booking.

Common issues. The main friction point in the listing is the ferry: tickets from Auckland are not included. The tour is also not wheelchair accessible. Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the start time for a refund, and the whole day depends on good weather. Note that the listing title says eleven guests maximum while the booking terms say ten travellers, so the exact cap may vary slightly between departures.

Before You Book

Is lunch included on this Waiheke wine tour?

Yes. Lunch is either a shared platter style meal or a main course, and either way it comes with a glass of wine. Reviewers frequently single out the lunch stop as a highlight. GST is also included in the price.

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup is included from your accommodation on Waiheke Island or from the ferry terminal. Travellers coming from Auckland take the Fullers ferry from 99 Quay St, and those tickets are not included.

How many vineyards do you visit?

Reviewers mention the vineyards feel distinct from one another, each with its own setting and style.

How big is the group?

The listing title caps the group at eleven guests, while the booking terms say a maximum of ten travellers. Either way it is a small group, and reviewers describe a personal, unhurried atmosphere, sometimes with only a couple of guests booked on the day.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or children?

The listing states the tour is not wheelchair accessible, so check with the operator if mobility is a concern. It does not list a minimum age, and it says most travellers can participate, though the day is built around wine tasting.