Setting
A small, well-respected boutique winery with an elevated modern restaurant enjoying panoramic views of hillsides, bays and Auckland city in the distance. The steep vineyard seems to disappear into the sea and if you can manage to snare a seat on the balcony on a sunny summer afternoon, feel confident that this view is as good as it gets. The two well-behaved restaurant-trained Burmese cats, Mr Malbec and Miss Merlot, have become famous and will happily pose for photographs.

Things To Know
Owners Tony and Moira Forsyth are extremely knowledgeable regarding the world of wine and more than happy to help you navigate the astonishing wine list in the restaurant. Not too far away is the lovely wetland garden and sculpture area known as Dead Dog Bay (deaddogbay.co.nz), with lots of native and exotic plants and colourful birdlife.

Our Picks
The chardonnay is outstanding, with all the gravitas you could wish for in this variety. The Point Bordeaux blend is also exceptional, and so is the syrah.

Te Whau Vineyard Restaurant
One of Waiheke’s most renowned restaurants, you’ll find well-designed and beautifully presented dishes from chef Marco Edwardes and his team. There are exciting local wines to choose from, as well as what’s arguably New Zealand’s finest international wine list, with a strong nod to top-end French Bordeaux and Burgundy. Try the spanner crab salad with wasabi mousse, radishes, tobiko caviar, coriander and salted lemon. Seasonally changing desserts are also a highlight. And while the balcony’s a glorious place to dine in summer, the roaring fire indoors makes the restaurant an equally appealing winter destination.

Hours Dec-Jan 7 days lunch, Thurs-Sat dinner; Nov & March-April Weds-Mon lunch, Sat dinner; May-Oct Fri-Sun lunch, Fri-Sat dinner