Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour With Platter Lunch

Waiheke Island, just a short ferry ride from Auckland, is a renowned culinary destination. The Gourmet Food and Wine Tour showcases the island’s finest offerings, from boutique vineyards to artisanal olive oils. Guests embark on a 5-hour journey, exploring three wineries, indulging in tastings, and savoring a family-style lunch at the charming Casita Miro. With stunning scenic views and insightful commentary on the island’s history, this tour promises an unforgettable experience for food and wine enthusiasts. Priced at $150.34 per person, the tour includes ferry tickets and comfortable bus transfers, ensuring a seamless and delightful day on Waiheke Island.

This experience made our list of the 8 Best Food Tours In Auckland.

Key Points

• A 5-hour excursion on Waiheke Island featuring gourmet food, wine tastings, and a family-style lunch, priced at $150.34 per person.
• Highlights include visits to three boutique vineyards, fresh oysters, local olive oil sampling, and insights into the island’s history.
• Accommodations for vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets, but not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or vegans.
• Departs from Matiatia Wharf at 9:45 AM with comfortable bus transfers and ferry tickets included.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to the tour, with a high overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 216 reviews.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

The Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch is a 5-hour excursion that allows participants to sample fresh local fare and award-winning wines from three boutique vineyards on the picturesque island.

Priced at $150.34 per person, the tour departs from Matiatia Wharf at 9:45 AM and includes complimentary ferry tickets to and from Auckland.

Guests can expect comfortable bus transfers between vineyards and a family-style lunch, with dietary restrictions accommodated.

The tour’s highlights include tasting Te Matuku Bay oysters, exploring Waiheke’s beaches, and learning about the island’s history from a knowledgeable local guide.

Advance booking is recommended, as this tour is likely to sell out. Cancellations are free up to 24 hours prior.

Itinerary Breakdown

After departing from Matiatia Wharf, the tour begins with a 15-minute transfer to the first vineyard for an initial wine and food tasting session lasting approximately 40 minutes.

Guests then travel another 15 minutes to Batch Winery, where they’ll enjoy another 40-minute tasting.

The tour continues with a 15-minute drive to Casita Miro, where you will savor a family-style lunch, additional wine tasting, and food sampling for 105 minutes.

Finally, the group heads back to Oneroa for 35 minutes of free time before returning to the Matiatia Wharf.

The itinerary highlights include:

• Sampling fresh oysters and local olive oil

• Visiting three boutique vineyards

• Enjoying a family-style lunch with dietary accommodations

• Learning about Waiheke Island’s history from a local guide

• Exploring the island’s scenic highlights and beaches

Highlights of the Tour

Sampling fresh oysters from Te Matuku Bay and indulging in locally-sourced olive oil kick off this gourmet food and wine experience on Waiheke Island. Guests then venture to three boutique vineyards, savoring wine and food pairings at each location. The highlight is a family-style lunch at Casita Miro, where dietary restrictions are expertly catered for. Throughout the tour, a local guide shares insights into Waiheke’s rich history and scenic wonders. Whether strolling along the beaches or exploring the island’s highlights, this immersive experience promises to delight the senses.

Emotion	Description	Reason
Delight	Indulging in fresh oysters and olive oil	Tantalizing the taste buds
Appreciation	Visiting boutique vineyards	Discovering unique, local flavors
Satisfaction	Enjoying a catered, family-style lunch	Fulfilling dietary needs and preferences

Inclusions and Exclusions

Aside from the scenic tour of Waiheke Island and the wine and food tastings, this package also covers the ferry tickets to and from the island, as well as all transportation and commentary by a local guide throughout the experience.

The tour includes:

• A family-style lunch at a vineyard, with dietary restrictions catered for

• Tastings of local oysters or smoked salmon

• Samples of local olive oil

• Beverages purchased during the lunch

• All tasting fees for the wine and food pairings

While the tour offers a comprehensive gourmet experience, it’s important to note that it’s not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or vegans.

Participants must also be 18 years or older and provide a valid photo ID.

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Age and Dietary Restrictions

Participants must be 18 years or older to join the Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour, and they’ll need to provide a valid photo ID as proof of age.

The tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or vegans. However, the tour operator does cater to vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets. Simply let them know about any dietary needs when booking.

With an overall rating of 4.9/5 from 216 reviews, this tour is sure to delight foodies and wine lovers alike. The guides, transportation, and service have all been praised, so you can expect a top-notch experience exploring Waiheke Island’s gourmet offerings.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

With an overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 216 reviews, the Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour has clearly impressed many past participants.

Customers have consistently praised the knowledgeable guides, comfortable transportation, and high-quality service throughout the experience.

According to reviewers, the tour highlights include:

• Informative commentary on Waiheke Island’s history and culture

• Exceptional wine and food tastings at the carefully selected vineyards

• A delightful family-style lunch that caters to various dietary needs

• Scenic drives showcasing the island’s breathtaking landscapes

• Efficient logistics and punctual scheduling throughout the tour

The overwhelmingly positive feedback from previous travelers suggests this tour is a must-do for anyone seeking a gourmet and immersive experience on Waiheke Island.

Meeting Point and Logistics

The tour kicks off at Matiatia Wharf on Waiheke Island, where participants must arrive by 9:45 AM. As the tour includes ferry transportation from Auckland, travelers need to make their own way to the wharf in time for the departure.

Departure	Duration	Destinations	Return
Matiatia Wharf	15 minutes	First vineyard	Back to Matiatia Wharf
First vineyard	40 minutes	Batch Winery
Batch Winery	40 minutes	Casita Miro
Casita Miro	35 minutes	Oneroa

From the wharf, the group will travel by coach to three boutique vineyards, where they’ll enjoy wine and food tastings, followed by a family-style lunch at one of the vineyards. After lunch, there’s some free time in the scenic town of Oneroa before returning to the wharf.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Travelers can obtain a full refund if they cancel their tour reservation up to 24 hours in advance. This generous cancellation policy provides flexibility for those with busy schedules or unexpected changes in plans. The tour operator understands that plans can shift, and they aim to accommodate travelers as much as possible.

Some key points about the cancellation and refund policy include:

• Free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to tour departure

• Full refund issued for cancellations within the 24-hour window

• No refunds for no-shows or last-minute cancellations

• Modifications to reservation details may be possible with advance notice

• Refund processing time can take 3-5 business days

Recap

The Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour offers a delightful 5-hour experience showcasing the island’s finest culinary offerings.

For $150.34 per person, guests can enjoy ferry tickets, bus transfers, and a family-style lunch, as they explore three boutique vineyards, indulge in tastings, and take in the breathtaking scenic views.

With a focus on local wines, fresh oysters, and olive oils, this tour provides an exceptional opportunity to take in Waiheke’s rich culinary heritage.

You can check if your dates are available here: