Cuisine Wine

Frenchmans Hill Estate & Expatrius

Setting
This is a relatively new venture that’s bringing a sense of European style and panache to Waiheke, and proving very popular with locals and visitors alike. The picturesque boutique shop and tasting house is tucked snuggly into a hillside with views over olive trees and vines to the tranquil estuary.

Things To Know
Along with wine, the shop and tasting house has a great selection of gifts and homewares, plus some delightful estate-grown extra virgin olive oil and figs. Owner Anna Desbonnets is something of a jack of all trades, also serving as an interior designer, chef and shopkeeper, and will be more than happy to assist in your tasting and purchasing. Her husband Luc tends the vineyard and makes the wines for Frenchmans Hill Estate, as well as the Expatrius label.

Our Picks
A cabernet blend is enticing and moreish. The pinot gris is very popular, as is the summer rosé.

Plus
The iconic Waiheke Dirt Track raceway is close by and when there is a meet it’s great fun. Very local, very petrol-head with lots of crashes and smashes and a great chance to get up close and personal with some fair-dinkum islanders.