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| Winegrowing in Waiheke | 
Goldwater Estate | In the Hauraki Gulf to the east of Auckland is Waiheke Island which, in the early 80s, became known as a fashionable district for producing high quality reds. A 40 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland brings you to this island, only 26km by 19km at its widest point. Home to some of the smaller wineries in New Zealand, these boutique vineyards produce some famous red wines, many of which can only be purchased from the winery or from selected restaurants around the world. Waiheke's picturesque beaches, upmarket restaurants, accommodation and wines make it a must on the itinerary for a relaxed stopover.
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| Waiheke Wineries |
| Winery of the Month |
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Te Whau Vineyard Ltd |
| About
Te Whau Vineyard Ltd |
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“Burgundian Chardonnay and Serious Claret”
(Hugh Johnson – British wine writer, February 2007)
The steep north-facing slopes on which we grow our vines are managed on an environmentally sustainable basis and all vineyard work, from pruning to harvest, is done by hand. Very low yields, mineral-rich clay soils and a sun-drenched vineyard slope combine to enable us to achieve a ripeness, flavour intensity, balance and elegance that is the hallmark of our wines.
Our wine-making philosophy is simple and minimal-intervention – strict fruit selection, gentle must handling in our gravity-flow winery, wild-yeast fermentation, and maturation in top-quality French oak in our underground, temperature-controlled cellar. The wine is bottled at the winery without fining or filtration and rests for a further six months prior to release.
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| Featured Wineries |
Cable Bay Vineyards
Cable Bay Vineyards is dedicated to crafting exquisite wines that are known for their subtlety, elegance and depth. |
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Goldwater Estate
Goldwater Estate was established in 1978 by Kim & Jeanette Goldwater when they pioneered winegrowing on Waiheke Island with the planting of the island's first vinifera vineyard.The success of their wines is demonstrated by the fact that there are now more than 30 vineyards on Waiheke. They began by making Bordeaux style reds - the Esslin Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend which is now called 'Goldie'. |
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Obsidian Vineyard
Obsidian vineyard was established in 1993 with the objective of producing a great Bordeaux-style red. We strive to grow consistently ripe, concentrated, flavourful grapes and craft them into superb wines for cellaring and drinking. The 9 hectare Obsidian vineyard nestles in the coastal hills of the Onetangi viticultural area on the northern coast of Waiheke Island. The flagship wine, simply labeled Obsidian, is a blend of the very best Cabernet auvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Our second label, Weeping Sands Cabernet Merlot, is made with the same meticulous care and attention as Obsidian, but for earlier drinking. |
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Passage Rock Wines
Passage Rock Wines was established in 1994 by David and Veronkia Evans-Gander. This boutique winery is set in the tranquile Te Matuku valley on sunny Waiheke Island near Auckland. |
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