2 December 2024 -New Zealand- Waiheke Island- Wine tasting

It was a promising day when we woke and it turned into a really warm summers day with hardly a cloud in sight. We had breakfast outside and coffee and enjoyed the view and atmosphere. The birds were busy and tuneful.

I had thought that we would go to Mudbrick Vineyard first and taste the wines and not have lunch there even though the views over to the sea to Auckland were wonderful. I had booked lunch at Poderi Crisci, an Italian style winery on the eastern side of the island. I had heard great things about their wines and Italian style food. I hoped I made the right choice.

We left about 10.20am and drove to Mudbrick Winery on the west side of the island. We had seen the house and the terraces from the water when we were on Stormbird going down the west side of the Island. The house and grounds were stunning with old bricks for walkways with vineyards around and lavender and stunning gardens with flowers. It had a restaurant and a bistro and wine tasting rooms and shop. It looked a wonderful venue and I wondered whether I had chosen the right one. We went to taste first and tasted 6 wines and to be honest I would not buy any of them in comparison to what I have tasted before. These were interesting but quite dry and none made you go wow.

We did not buy any and I thought perhaps this would not be the best place for lunch if the wines were like that. We drove off and drove round the North side of the Island to Onetangi which has an enormous curved shape beach and was very pretty. It had many nice houses and some restaurants. We had a coffee at Charlies on the front and enjoyed the atmosphere. We then drove on to the east side of the island and there is only one road round it called Man of War Road so we took this and passed the Man of War Winery, that Keith and I had had lunch at when we were on Stormbird. The scenery was stunning and the picture of the day is looking east from a high point on the island toward the islands, which we had anchored off and visited when Keith and I were going round.

The road (or track at this point) continued down to the Southeast corner and round and then after about 15 minutes of windy road through great countryside we came to Poderi Crisci a little piece of Italy on Waiheke Island.

It had Cyprus trees and lovely gardens and pots and vineyards stretching around the property. It had a lovely al fresco restaurant looking over the valley and beyond. We were given a great table and they suggested the fixed long lunch menu of Italian food with their wines which sounded perfect. I knew then I had chosen the right one as all of the wines turned out to be great.

Poderi Crisci vineyard encompasses 7.7 hectares on a north facing slope set amongst a sheltered amphitheatre and a narrow rocky strip believed to be 30 million set years older than the rest of the Island.

Located at the end of a country lane, Poderi Crisci is a family-owned vineyard and restaurant with Italian flair and a passion for traditional winemaking. For four generations the Crisci family have been immersed in the art of food and wine. Antonio, born and raised in Napoli, arrived in NZ in the early ’90s quickly making a name for himself in the Auckland scene with the establishment of Toto restaurant in Nelson Street.

The first merlot vines were planted in 2000. The success of the first vines led to the planting of other grape varieties and vegetable gardens with Poderi Crisci being founded in 2008 and the restaurant opening in 2010. Antonio, a visionary, has transformed the Waiheke Island vineyard into a place people will visit to wine, dine and have ‘layers of experience.’

We first had a Prosecco made from Pinot Grigio which was nice and refreshing but not too sweet. We then had a flavourful rose (made purely from Merlot) which was good on the pallet. We then had a still Pinot Grigio and their Chardonnay which has won awards. I asked about the comparison to the Valhalla Chardonnay of Man of War Vineyard and he described it as the Boxer of Chardonnays whereas their Chardonnay is like a ballerina. It was certainly smooth and delicious. We then had a Merlot Riserva and then a 2019 Syrah which were also very good. This was washed down with 6 fine Italian dishes and worked very well. We then had a desert and they gave us a lemon flavoured dessert wine which was not too sweet. They make their own limoncello which was very lemony.

The whole experience on such a nice day was very memorable and special. This was definitely the right choice.  We left when we were ready and headed back to Waiheke Marina where we met Tom, one of the Directors of the marina who is related to Ruth. We said hello and left Keith and Ruth to have a drink with them. Jules and I headed back to the house and sat an enjoyed the sun and the view on the terrace.   

Keith and Ruth returned from having a drink with Tom and his wife Joe and we then had a light supper of cheese, houmous and French Bread.

We take Stormbird to be lifted out tomorrow at Half Moon Bay Marina.

Opportunity Year Two

In year two I will be going from New Zealand in early January 2025 across to Sydney and up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025. I will need some more crew.

If there is any interest do email me at  hine.nick9@gmail.com  

The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com