Waiheke Wine Tour – Wow! – Living La Vida Loca

I have to admit that I am no wine expert…I like wine well enough, but I usually trust the more knowledgeable good graces of others to tell me what is good wine and what is best left behind. I really planned this day excursion knowing that Ruthie and her buddy, Lauren, would really enjoy it (what can I say, they drink more socially than I do – ah, youth has its benefits!) – I wasn’t concerned that Andrew and I wouldn’t get into the spirit (pardon the pun) and we were promised beautiful landscapes in any case. Score on all counts.

Waiheke Island is the most populated and second-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. Its ferry terminal in Matiatia Bay at the western end is about a 35-40 minute ride from the central-city terminal in Auckland. In the off season, there are only about 9,000 residence – in high summer season (now) the island packs in around 42,000 people who come there for the gorgeous beaches, relaxing pace, gourmet food…and lots of wineries. It is a very wealthy island community – it sort of reminded me of Sausalito in NorCal…but with loads more greenery.

We were very fortunate to have chosen a tour with a family-owned company called (amazingly) Waiheke Island Wine Tours, run by a lovely local couple – Wayne and Jean. Jean had been communicating with me all along our planning process and I was hoping to meet her when we did the tour – it didn’t happen that day but more on this later…Wayne was our van driver and guide, which was a real treat. He is a multi-generation Kiwi and a fountain of knowledge about NZ history, culture/s, and the wine industry on Waiheke.

We visited three wineries – Casita Miro, Obsidian Vineyard, and one other – forgive me – I cannot recall the name of. All were on beautifully manicured grounds, produce hand-picked and small batch, magnificent wines – some having won international awards. We met with owners of a couple of the wineries and their passion for producing quality, not quantity, came through clearly. Each winery reflected the personality of the owners as well. At one, we got a detailed explanation of the growing, stomping and aging process – and met the resident cows who get the grape skins as a bonus of the production…

Casita Miro’s owner is a mosaic artist – in the spare time he doesn’t have – emulates Gaudi in an extraordinary landscape of illustrations in progress. One of the pieces he is finishing depicts the conception and birth of his six kids – his wife came by and walked us through it – very amazing.

All in all this was a very peaceful, relaxing day. I did come to appreciate the nuances of really good wine – I know my brother, Noah, will be proud of me in that regard. It may just be safer now to send me to the grocery to pick out libations!