Tag Archives: Vineyards

Wine Touring from Auckland

It’s a typical Auckland winter’s spring day – cold, wind, rain, sun!

All the seasons every hour.

We head off to explore west of Auckland and the local wineries.

There is a lot to see and some really good wines, some lovely experiences, including the historic The Riverhead and the west coast of NZ.

The Riverhead

The Riverhead is a restaurant location dating back to the 1850s.

Beautifully preserved it buildings and location offer a warm vibe.

The pub is great for a NZ wine, craft beer and game of pool. A fire side welcomes everyone, the staff are friendly and their is plenty of space and low noise so you can chat. You can sit outside with their warm heaters in winter so many options.

The restaurant has a very good reputation but we felt it feel a little short of it’s price and reputation. The staff weren’t the best and the food whilst restaurant standard wasn’t abundant. We gave it a 4/5.

Dul winery

I lovely little winery near Kumea. Worth a stop over and as the lady says their “chardonnay is the stilettos of wines”.

Hunting Lodge winery

I really like this winery – open, classy and two price levels of wines. Really good food and friendly staff. I highly rate Hunting Lodge.

The wines are great and there are two eating options – casual (perfect for families and kids) or the five star restaurant.

Muirawa Bay

This is an absolute must. Only 45 minutes from Auckland the coastline is radically different to the east coast.

Wild and rough and some how exhilarating. The sand is speculedwith dark ebony sand and cobalt blue. I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else in the world. It’s an artists haven.

Follow the beach around the cliff and you will discover something really amazing. It is a gull colony and it truly breath taking. While watching birds navigate their landings, I felt like I was in a David Attenborough show. Amazing.

Albert Creek Winery

Listening to the sound of the gurgling creek beside my table, gazing over the vineyard feeling that yummy mummy bliss.

This Saturday lunch, I have taken myself and the kids to Albert Creek Winery. 

The kids have taken themselves off to explore and I am happily reading up about this lovely property.

The sparkling white is a delight!

Months ago I purchased one of those 50% off on-line deals for lunch here. The expiry date for the voucher long came and went but the winery still obliged and honoured the voucher. Feeling very grateful and happy today is lovely.

They normally have a lunch time special; 2 courses for $35 or 3 courses for $45. Accompanying the specials menu (yummy soup, pork belly, and calamari for entree today, Chicken rolled in proscioto/parmesan , barramundi or vegetarian rissotto) and delicious desserts.

Eden Restaurant Mt Tamborine

It’s a glorious winter’s day and it’s school holidays on the Gold Coast.

I’m up on Mt Tamborine which is about a 45 minute drive from central Gold Coast.  There are a few ways to the summit and the ridge along the top is scattered with vineyards, restaurants, coffee houses, walks, a sky walk and the part where my daughter is going, Thunderbird park.

I drop her off to do the tree top challenge and I head off to a vineyard to do some work.

My friend owns Cedar Creek Wineries and their sparkling white is fantastic. Unfortunately they are booked out for lunch so I head next door to Mason Wineries.

I am pleasantly surprised!

Run by a worldly couple Dylan and Suraya, the vineyard has a happy feel.

The restaurant is called Eden Restaurant. 

The menu is different – tapas style smaller bites, with plates to share and a couple of salads.

The wines are also pretty good and reasonably priced.

Today I have the panko chicken, quinoa salad. It is quite different. Jalopenos, rocket, corn chips and capsicum salsa. It is light and yummy!

This is an interview I did with Chef Dylan. I love his commitment and passion for sourcing out real food!