If you’re in Auckland and are in any way interested in wine, you’d be crazy not to take the short ferry ride over to the incredible Waiheke Islands.

With vineyards that stretch to the sea, cellar doors settled into olive groves, and fresh ocean breeze blowing through your hair, it makes for a lovely respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Known as the “island of wine”, it boasts over 30 boutique wineries, each offering a unique take on New Zealand’s terroir – from elegant Syrahs to lush Chardonnays. However, with so many options out there,

I’ve gone ahead and whittled it down to the 7 top Waiheke wine tours out there, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth. Let’s jump right in!

Best Wine Tours in Waiheke Island

	Wine on Waiheke Scenic PREMIUM Wine Tasting. 11 clients only!	Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour	The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour
Meeting Location:	Matiatia Wharf, Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island 1081	Matiatia Ferry Terminal, Auckland 1081	Matiatia Ferry Terminal, Auckland 1081
Tour Length:	6 hours	5.5 hours	5.5 hours
Start Time(s):	10:00 AM	9:50 AM	10:40 AM
What’s Included:	Scenic highlights tour and visits to 3 exceptional vineyards, tasting fees for all wines, complementary chilled bottled water, guides with informative content, full commentary in English, and complementary transfers to lunch and the ferry	Lunch (family style), Snacks (Waiheke oysters - subject to availability), Wine tastings at 3 vineyards, Live commentary on board by local guide, Local taxes, Group tour (shared with others), Minimum 2 people - 18 people, Air-conditioned vehicle	Wine tastings at 3 vineyards, scenic tour including lookouts and beaches, Lunch - cost of a one-course lunch + a local beverage is included, air-conditioned vehicle, local guide, GST (Goods and Services Tax)
	Check Tour Availability	Check Tour Availability	Check Tour Availability

Our 7 Top Picks For The Best Waiheke Wine Tour:

1. Wine on Waiheke Scenic PREMIUM Wine Tasting 11 clients only!
2. The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour
3. Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour
4. Premium Full Day Waiheke Wine Tour
5. Naturally Gorgeous Waiheke Boutique Small Group Rustic Wine Tour!
6. Waiheke Island Scenic Wine Tasting Tour
7. Waiheke Island Scenic Tour Wine+Lunch at Award-Winning Restaurant

Waiheke Wine Tour Reviews

1. Wine on Waiheke Scenic PREMIUM Wine Tasting. 11 clients only!

What to Expect on the Tour

Set off on an exciting 6-hour excursion, kicking things off with a relaxing morning ferry ride from Auckland to Waiheke Island. Once you arrive at Matiatia Wharf, your friendly guide will give you a nice, warm welcome and set the tone for the day with some interesting chats about the region and culture.

The itinerary includes visits to 3 distinct vineyards – each of which are selected for its top-notch wines and special ambiance. Expect to indulge in premium tastings with the expert winemakers or owners themselves, teaching you all about the winemaking processes and characteristics that make Waiheke’s gems so interesting.

Between each visit, you’ll get in plenty of breathtaking scenic vistas, from rolling hills to full coastal panoramas that really show off the natural beauty of this region. In between it all, you’ll even get the chance to sit down for lunch in the charming village of Oneroa!

What Makes This Tour Great

This tour really stands out as the quintessential experience for wine lovers on the hunt for an intimate, authentic dive into New Zealand’s renowned wine region. Unlike the bigger tours, this small-group journey, limited to just 11 guests, ensures personalized attention and a relaxed vibe.

Starting out at 10:00 am, you’ll have plenty of time to discover charming, incredible boutique wineries while still making it back in time for dinner. Our guide was incredibly passionate and had a vast amount of knowledge about the area and its history, particularly that relating back to viticulture.

While I loved each of the 3 wineries, our tour went far beyond that – we had time to visit quaint villages, enjoy incredible food, and just gain a proper understanding of what makes Waiheke so unique!

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2. The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour

What to Expect on the Tour

I understand that a lot of people avoid going on tours because they’re under the impression that it’s essentially walking around in a herd of tourists while hearing tour guides rattle off the same facts you can pull up from a quick Google search.

With The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour, you’ll have anything but that – rather, you’ll find an intimate look into Waiheke Island’s renowned wine culture and its intriguing history. Limited to just 18 guests, you can expect personalized attention from your guide and other staff as you journey through 3 of the island’s top boutique vineyards.

Each stop offers something a bit different, with a different perspective on the area’s history, geography, and culture. Thanks to the close relationships between our guide and local providers, we were able to see so much more than what most visitors are allowed to see!

As if that weren’t already more than enough, you’ll also have a 2-hour lunch stop at either a nearby village or beachside cafe – the choice is yours!

What Makes This Tour Great

Starting at 10:40 am, I loved that we got to take full advantage of the day without having to wake up at the crack of dawn to do so!

Right from the very beginning, our guide was super friendly and accommodating, making the experience that much more enjoyable. If you’re someone who not only wants to see the locations but really learn about how they came to be, this tour is for you.

I’ll also say that I find this tour better-suited for those who’ve never gone on a wine tour before or are somewhat “newbies” in the world of wine. It’s a great intro to different varietals, without going into a great amount of detail – perfect if you’re still figuring out which types of wine you prefer.

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3. Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour

What to Expect on the Tour

Your journey kicks off with a morning ferry ride from Auckland to Waiheke Island, where your local guide greets you right at the wharf. The Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour is there to show you the very best the island has to offer, unfolding with visits to 3 handpicked vineyards.

Each one is a bit different from the rest, ensuring everything stays fresh and keeps your mind and palate stimulated with new flavors and facts! The itinerary is relaxed yet never lulls, focusing on an informative yet engaging dynamic that encourages curiosity, with laidback winemakers who could only be Kiwi!

On top of that, you’ll also enjoy a wonderful lunch in a beautiful setting, along with an olive oil tasting (goes perfectly with wine, I learned!). With a small-group setting, expect to be able to ask all the questions that pop into your mind, without hesitation!

What Makes This Tour Great

The Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour was easily one of the highlights on my trip to Auckland, showing me a truly behind-the-scenes view of the area. Strolling through the sun-drenched vines while learning about local production methods from funny, cool people will never get old.

If you’re looking for a nice little escape from the metropolis, this is the perfect answer, with spectacular views and vibes! Casita Miro was one of the real gems for me within the tour – full of mouthwatering food (try the oysters!), world-class wine, and the location simply can’t be beat.

Combine that with our phenomenal guide who was a clear wine connoisseur and great storyteller, and the time just flew by. Not to mention, I got to try some amazing reds and roses, even discovering quite possibly the best rose I’ve ever had up until that point!

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4. Premium Full Day Waiheke Wine Tour

What to Expect on the Tour

Next up is the Premium Full Day Waiheke Wine Tour, which has everything you need for a fun, educational day out on the island. This is a boutique vineyard tour I’d recommend to anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary, or even just for a simple friend outing or date. It’s the perfect balance of sipping great wine, learning opportunities, adventure, and gorgeous natural scenery.

This small-group wine tasting takes things a step further than most by not only including the ferry ride but also a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle transfer as well. That means you don’t have to worry about pretty much any transportation, so you can fully indulge and let responsibilities fall to the wayside.

What Makes This Tour Great

If you’re looking for a straightforward, exciting New Zealand wine experience, going to Waiheke is a must. However, not every Waiheke Island wine tour is made the same – this one has a more premium feel to it. We had a super fun tour group, and had a blast exploring the lovely vineyards and sipping the wide array of varietals offered at each of the stops. Our guide made every moment entertaining, driving us safely to each stop and sharing interesting stories about the island as we rolled on our way.

While the wine tasting was more on the high/fine end and gave us a nice look at different NZ wines, we did feel like the wait for lunch was rather long. Other than that, everything was amazing!

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5. Naturally Gorgeous Waiheke Boutique Small Group Rustic Wine Tour!

What to Expect on the Tour

It’s crazy thinking about how close Waiheke is to Auckland, yet how different they are in terms of atmosphere, scenery, and culture.

The Naturally Gorgeous Waiheke Boutique Small Group Rustic Wine Tour perfectly exemplifies that, sharing their world-class winery offerings in a palatable, friendly way. Expect absolutely unreal views, starting with the scenic ferry ride on the way there from Auckland.

Expect some of the best red wine around, as this is what the region does best – its unique maritime climate and ancient soil structures. produce some of the best grape varieties around!

With its rich blue waters, relaxed vibe, and lush green landscape, it reminds me of a combination of Hawaii and Italy! Oh, and if you want to venture beyond wine, the island also produces top-quality olive oil and honey!

What Makes This Tour Great

This intimate, personalized trip through Waiheke’s boutique wineries is limited to a small group, so you won’t just be another head in the crowd.

Guided by passionate, expert locals who know the ins and outs of all things “wine”, you’ll absorb all kinds of interesting facts about the island’s rich history and winemaking practices. In total, you’re going to try well over a dozen different local varietals, giving you proper insight into their best.

On top of that, enjoy a small food pairing at the first winery, fueling up on fresh seafood and local produce before continuing onto the other two. You get the choice of having an amazing lunch at either Passage Rock or Three Seven Two, though that’s entirely up to you and your group! Both are fantastic!

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6. Waiheke Island Scenic Wine Tasting Tour

What to Expect on the Tour

What’s interesting about this tour, is that it’s actually one of the most affordable but also one of the most convenient. While most similar tours involve meeting your guide at the ferry terminal in Auckland or at the island itself, this one offers round-trip transportation from your accommodations to and from the ferry.

That means that they pick you up in a comfortable coach or the like, so you don’t even have to spend money on an Uber or hassle with public transport in the morning in order to get there!

Catch the beautiful ferry over and enjoy your fully-guided tour, complete with fascinating storytelling and educational commentary throughout the journey. You’ll explore the most popular vineyards with some great tastings given by winemakers and even owners, occasionally!

What Makes This Tour Great

The Waiheke Island Scenic Wine Tasting Tour stands out by offering an authentic, personal exploration into their most renowned vineyards, straight from the source. Unlike big group tours, you will be with a small group, making for more personalized attention and the opportunity to connect with the people running the show.

Through the island’s rolling hills and gorgeous ocean views, you’ll visit Thomas Batch Vineyard for lunch with some of the most incredible views of Auckland and the Gulf!

The Cable Bay cellar door was a fantastic experience, and I feel like I leveled up in my wine knowledge and really refined my palate with their instruction. You can’t forget the legendary Mudbrick, which offers incomparable ambiance and gardens, and their Francesca Chardonnay is life-altering. You’re in for a real treat with this tour!

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7. Waiheke Island Scenic Tour Wine+Lunch at Award-winning Restaurant

What to Expect on the Tour

Last but certainly not least, is the Waiheke Island Scenic Tour Wine+Lunch at Award-winning Restaurant tour! If it’s your first time in Auckland and you really want to soak in as much culture and gorgeous scenery as possible, this should be at the top of your list.

This immersive journey takes you right into the heart of the island’s viticulture, designed for small groups and a relaxed atmosphere. Instead of making your way to the ferry terminal on your own, expect to be picked up by your guide right from your accommodations and head there together.

Upon arrival, you’ll waste no time and head straight to the first winery of the day, which is typically the iconic Cable Bay Vineyards. Everything about it feels elegant, with handcrafted wines you’ll get to try accompanied by in-depth commentary.

Enjoy a delicious lunch right on the beach at Three Seven Two, perfectly paired with a glass of wine, before continuing on to Stonyridge and Postage Stamp for more fantastic vistas and rich reds.

What Makes This Tour Great

I know that the next time I’m in Auckland, I’m taking this tour again. It’s simply one of the most well-organized itineraries, with friendly guides who are not only knowledgeable but have formed relationships with winery staff in a way that allows for a more VIP experience.

Each one of the stops feels premium, and in true Kiwi fashion, actually allows for you to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. With beautiful weather, all kinds of historic facts and viticulture stories, as well as engaging conversation and delicious wine, you can’t get better than this.

I end up purchasing a few bottles along the way, and our guide was kind enough to take plenty of photos for us with gorgeous backdrops, so our mementos were all taken care of!

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Shayanne DeCastro

Shayanne is a freelance writer, wine snob and marketer based in LA, California. Describing herself as a nomad, she has lived in many different cities including Boise, Idaho and Seattle, Washington as well as Guadalajara, Mexico. She is forever on the move.

Being an extremely active person, she loves to snowboard, skateboard, and ski. She enjoys sharing her love for active sports with others through her “how to” sports guides as well as food and wine reviews. Her love for wine and good food shines through every paragraph. While she travels, Shayanne loves to try new restaurants and wineries.  If there is a wineries or good restaurant in your town, you will probably meet her one day.