Auckland Wines and Wineries  

Savouring the Source, Northland food and wine producers, Waimate North Showgrounds.

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Babich Wines is one of the New Zealand's oldest established and larger wineries. Based in Henderson, to the west of Auckland, Babich has vineyards in Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Marlborough. Over the years, the winery has built a solid reputation for quality and consistency, especially for its Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling wines. Its Marlborough Riesling 2000 was judged "Best Riesling" at the International Wine and Sprits Competition 2001.  Babich's premium range of wines are labeled under the Patriarch and Irongate brands. Babich Marlborough Riesling 2000 recently won the Riesling Trophy at the London International Wine and Spirit Competition, where it bet off competition from Germany, Alsace and Australia. Babich wines are widely available and exported tBo Australia, Canada, Asia, the United States of America, the Caribbean, Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland. For more information contact: Peter & Joe Babich, Babich Road, Henderson, Auckland, phone: +64 9 8337859, fax: +64 9 8339929, Email: info@babichwines.co.nz.

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Brick Bay Wines is a new Matakana winery. Its initial 1998, 1999 and 2000 releases of Pinot Gris wine have impressed the critics. Pinot Gris is a variety traditionally produced in the Alsace wine region of Europe and popular in Germany and Italy. Wine writer Michael Cooper, in his Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines 2002, describes the 2000 vintage as having "Alsace like power and softness...a weighty, fresh scented wine with beautifully rich delicate flavours of peaches and lychees".  While the initial 1998 vintage was tiny, production of the wine is increasing. In future years the winery will also produce Cabernet predominant wines. Brick Bay Wines are available by mail order and exported to the USA.  for more information contact Christine Didsbury, PO Box 28270, Remuera, Auckland, phone: +64 9 5242831, fax: +64 9 5242831, Email: brickbay@ihug.co.nz.

Coopers Creek Vineyard is located in Kumeu, only a short drive from Auckland city. It produces a wide range of wines and styles, including its premium Swamp Reserve Chardonnay. The winery has built its reputation on Chardonnay, and also makes a very respectable Riesling. The winery welcomes visitors and has well developed tasting facilities, BBQ facilities and outdoor picnic areas. During summer the winery features live jazz, which you can listen to while tasting some cheese and wine beside the garden pond. Coopers Creek wines are widely available, and exported to most parts of the world. For more information contact: Andrew Hendry
PO Box 140, Kumeu, Auckland, phone: +64 9 4128560, fax: +64 9 4128375, Email: info@cooperscreek.co.nz.

Fenton Estate is a small Waiheke Island winery located in Oneroa. Like other Waiheke island wineries, Fenton Estate specialises in Cabernet predominant wines and makes a very good Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Franc. It also makes a second tier wine branded "The Red". Fenton Estate wines are available from the winery and exported to Australia and Brazil. For more information contact: Richard Barker Harland, 56 Korora Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island, phone: +64 9 3722441, fax: +64 9 3722441.

Goldwater Estate. Kim and Jeanette Goldwater pioneered wine making on Waiheke Island in 1978. Their winery overlooks Putiki Bay, although Kim looks to the Bordeaux for inspiration when making his award winning wines. His 1989 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wine was awarded a gold medal at the prestigious Intervin International Wine Competition in New York. Goldwater Estate is also well regarded for its Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines. For more information contact: Kim & Jeanette Goldwater, 18 Causeway Road, Putiki Bay, Waiheke Island, phone: +64 9 3727493, fax: +64 9 3726827, Email: info@goldwaterwine.com.

Kennedy Point Vineyard and winery, located on the southwest side of Waiheke Island, focuses on growing and producing fine Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah wines that reflect the terroir of the land. Accommodation in the vineyard guest house provides spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf and sunsets over Rangitoto. You can relax on the 13 acres of vineyard, olive groves, pasture and surrounding waterfront areas. Award winning Waiheke wine and art trails, walking trails and beaches, provide visitors with an increasing number of activities to enjoy while on holiday. For more information or to make a reservation in the guest house contact: Susan McCarthy, 44 Donald Bruce Road, Waiheke Island, phone +64 9 372 5600, fax +64 9 372 6205, Email info@kennedypointvineyard.com. 

Kumeu River Wines was established in 1944 by Mick and Kate Brajkovich and is located 20 kilometres northwest of Auckland in the rural settlement of Kumeu. The Brajkovich family describes its wine-making philosophy in terms of endeavouring to grow grapes of the highest standard, treating them with respect and turning them into wine. Kumeu River Wines is best known for its Bergundian style Chardonnay which has been rated by UK Wine Magazine as equal to Domaine Des Comtes Lafon Montrachet 1995 and accorded top 100 status by the American Wine Spectator. For more information contact: Michael Brajkovich MW, PO Box 24, Kumeu, Auckland, phone: +64 9 4128415, fax: +64 9 4127627, Email: enquiries@kumeuriver.co.nz.

Matakana Estate is located in Warkworth, just sixty minutes to the north of Auckland. It is a new winery, having crushed its first grapes in 1988. Early success in wine competions has brought the winery to our attention. Its most successful wines so far have been Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, although its owners (Pat, Paul and Peter Vegar) hope to prove the area has what it takes to make top quality Semillon and Syrah wines. The winery is open to visitors seven days a week. For more information contact: Peter Vegar, PO Box 24, Matakana, Warkworth, phone: +64 9 4250494, fax: +64 9 4250595, Email: cellar@matakana-estate.co.nz.

Montana Wines Ltd is New Zealand's largest wine company. With a head office in Auckland and vineyards and wineries Gisborne, the Hawke's Bay, Marlborough and Canterbury, Montana produces an extensive range of wines. Montana's finishing winery and bottling facility in its original hometown of Auckland packages all the wines and completes the winemaking for the company's internationally acclaimed méthode traditionnelle wines, Lindauer and Deutz. In November 2000, Montana purchased Corbans Wines, enabling the enlarged company to extend its grape resource, achieve greater economies of scale and optimise opportunities in international markets. Montana's access to world markets received a further boost when it became a wholly owned subsidiary of global company Allied Domecq in September 2001. For more information contact: Peter Hubscher, PO Box 18293, Glen Innes, Auckland 1130, phone: +64 9 5708400, fax: +64 9 5708440, Email: information@montanawines.co.nz.

Morton Estate Wines is a geographicaly eclectic company. Its head office is located in Auckland, it operates vineyards in Hawke's Bay and Marlborough, and runs a distinctive Cape Dutch-style winery, restaurant and cellar door at Katikati, just North of Tauranga. The winery is one of New Zealand's largest and has a good reputation for consistency, quality and value. Its best wines are its black label range, including a very good Chardonnay. Wines in its lower priced white label range are also worth trying, as is its Champenoise. Morton Estate Wines are exported to the United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia and parts of Asia. For more information contact: Fiona MacDiarmid, PO Box 1334, Auckland, phone: +64 9 3005053, fax: +64 9 3005054, Email: auckland@mortonestatewines.co.nz.

Mudbrick Vineyard caters wonderfully well for wine and food lovers alike by combining top quality Chardonany and Cabernet predominant wines with excellent food. With views over rolling countryside down to the waters of the Hauraki Gulf, scattered with Islands, and out to the distant City beyond, Mudbrick claims to be one of the most picturesque vineyards in the world. The winery's tasting room welcomes visitors and is accommodated in the mudbrick building from which the winery takes its name. Alongside the tasting room is a popular restaurant that offers sophisticated, yet relaxed, A Le Carte lunch and dinner dining.  The vineyard also features tours and accommodates weddings and other functions. For more information contact: Nick Jones, PO Box 130, Oneroa, Waiheke Island, phone: +64 9 3729050, fax: +64 9 372905, Email: mudbrick@ihug.co.nz.

Okahu Estate is New Zealand’s most northern vineyard and winery. The winery is situated 3.5 kilometres from Kaitaia on the road to Ahipara which is at the southern end of the Ninety Mile Beach. It is a relatively young winery, but has already received accolades for its Syrah and Chardonnay wines. Its best wines are labelled Okahu Estate Kaz, and its 1998 Shiraz and 1998 Cabernet were both awarded silver medals at the International Wine Challenge 2000 (London). Okahu Estate welcomes visitors. It also has home-stay accommodation on the vineyard, making it the ideal base for a Far North Holiday. Okahu estate wines are exported to Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information contact: Monty & Paula Knight, PO Box 388, Kaitaia, phone: +64 9 4080888, fax: +64 9 4080890, Email: okahuestate@xtra.co.nz.

Ransom Wines is located off state Highway 1 in Warkworth, about two hours drive north of Auckland City. The winery has built a solid reputation for itself on quality Chardonnay and Pinot Gris wines.   It is also provides a good experience for visitors, especially those wanting a break on their drive to the Bay of Islands. Visitors can enjoy wine tasting and tapas, along with pleasant views of the gently rolling vineyard.  For more information contact: Robin Ransom, 46 Valerie Close, Warkworth, phone: +64 9 4258862, fax: +64 9 4258862, Email: ransom.wines@xtra.co.nz.

Rongopai Wines is located to the south of Auckland near the town of Huntly. Since first taste, I have always loved the winery's honey sweet and viscous Riesling and Chardonnay wines made from Botrytised grapes. Current winemaker Emmanuel Bolliger has been with Rongopai for two years. Emmanuel's first vintage (2002) with Rongopai won three medals in the Royal Easter Wine Show 2004. The winery is well regarded for its Chardonnay. Its 1999 Chardonnay was awarded a gold medal by the judges of the Air New Zealand Wine Awards. For more information contact: Winery Sales Manager Carolyn Hagger, email: carolyn@rongopaiwines.co.nz.

Saratoga Estate Winery is owned by American David McCabe and his New Zealand wife Pam. The Vineyard has strong links to Saratoga, California, a boutique wine community, located just south of San Francisco. The influence of this California counterpart to Saratoga Estate in Waiheke, New Zealand is evident not just in name, but in the nature of the wines produced. Grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Sangiovese and newly planted Chardonnay go towards the production of premium wines through meticulous care and passionate winemaking. Saratoga features a vineyard café. For information contact: Megan Enright, Saratoga Estate Winery, 72 Onetangi Rd, Onetangi, Waiheke Island, phone +64 9-372-6450, fax +64 9-372-6372, email megan@saratogaestate.com.

Stonyridge Vineyard is Waiheke Island's most prestigious winery. It recently appeared on the cover of Winestate magazine where its Cabernet was favourably compared to a handful of top Cabernet wines from Bordeaux and Australia. Stephen White established Stonyridge in 1982 with the aim of proving that New Zealand can make world-class red wines. He has succeeded. Stonyridge's Larose Cabernet is regarded as New Zealand's best red wine. It has beaten top Bordeaux wines in international tastings and in wine writer Michael Cooper's view, "no other red in New Zealand has matched it for sheer vintage-to-vintage brilliance". This wine is made in small quantities and sells out fast. For more information contact: Stephen White, PO Box 265, Ostend, Waiheke Island, phone: +64 9 3728822, fax: +64 9 3728766, Email: enquiries@stonyridge.co.nz.

Te Whau Vineyard is situated on an 11 hectare property on Waiheke Island at the eastern headland of Putiki Bay at the end of Te Whau Peninsula. The vineyard produces very good Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon predominant wines, and is dedicated to environmentally sustainable vineyard management practices, and is currently in the process of converting to fully organic and bio-dynamic viticulture. These management practices seek to protect the vineyard and surrounding ecosystem through minimal-impact viticultural techniques.  The vineyard features an architecturally stunning winery/restaurant/wine tasting facility. It has public areas on the top-level, and winemaking on the mezzanine and lower levels. A feature of the winery is the barrel cellar, leading off from the lower level, which has been dug into the side of the hill. For more information contact: Tony Forsyth, PO Box 167, Oneroa, Waiheke Island, phone: +64 9 372 7191 , fax: +64 9 372 7189, Email: tony@tewhau.com.

Villa Maria is one of New Zealand's largest and most celebrated wineries. Founded in 1961, George Fistonich’s award-winning Villa Maria wine group, has always made a point of matching the right grape to the right site. Villa Maria’s Auckland winery was built in 1969 and is located on the site of its founder's home at Kirkbride Road in Mangere. The Auckland winery crushes grapes harvested from the Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay growing regions. Recent successes for the winery include the trophy for most successful exhibitor at the NZ Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2001, the trophy for champion Pinot Noir at the NZ Wine Society Royal Easter Wine Show 2001, the trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc from Winestate Magazine 2000, and the trophy for best white table wine at the Sydney International Top 100 Wine Competition 2000. Villa Maria wines are produced in commercial volumes and exported throughout the world.  For more information contact: Ian Clark, PO Box 43046, Mangere, Auckland, phone: +64 9 2550660, fax: +64 9 2550661, Email: enquiries@villamaria.co.nz.