Waiheke Island wine region

Waiheke Island
Wine region
A Man O' War vineyard on Waiheke Island, looking east over the Hauraki Gulf
TypeGeographical Indication
Year established2018
CountryNew Zealand
Part ofAuckland
LocationMap
Size of planted vineyardsAuckland GI: 315 hectares (780 acres)
Grapes produced
CommentsData source: New Zealand Winegrowers, 2020[1][2]

The Waiheke Island wine region is a geographical indication and wine-growing region of New Zealand.[3]

Background

Waiheke Island is an island east of Auckland city in the Hauraki Gulf and is a geographical indication within the larger Auckland GI. It has a dry and warm mesoclimate, and is planted primarily in French red grape varieties: Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as the white grape varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. The Bordeaux style red wines that are produced are considered to be significantly ripe and full bodied, and some of the best in New Zealand. The Larose from Stonyridge Estate has an international reputation and is often compared with some of the best Bordeaux wine in the world, and comparing favourably with the likes of Château Latour and Château Mouton-Rothschild.[4] Other notable wine producers are Destiny Bay Vineyards (Magna Praemia), Obsidian Vineyard, Peacock Sky, Man O'War (Dreadnought Syrah), Cable Bay, Mudbrick and Te Motu.

Since Waiheke Island itself has a very small area of 92 square kilometres (36 sq mi), the wines tend to carry a premium price because of the inherently small scale of the wineries, the cost of land and the increased cost of access to the island by boat.

References

  1. ^ "New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Report". New Zealand Winegrowers. 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  2. ^ "New Zealand Wine: Statistics & Reports". New Zealand Winegrowers. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Geographical Indications Register: Waiheke Island". Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand. 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  4. ^ O'Niell, Rob (20 January 2013). "A good year for Stonyridge". Sunday Star-Times. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2023 – via Stuff.


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