Gourmet treats on Waiheke Island

Waiheke's benign Mediterranean climate and the winemaker's philosophy of "small is beautiful" has produced some of New Zealand's most prestigious Bordeaux-style wines.

A natural complement to the fine wines you can taste on Waiheke is a range of hand-made specialty foods and locally grown produce.

A food lover's paradise

The Island has become a food lover’s paradise. While visiting the Island, here are a few destinations you may wish to include:

• Visiting the local Ostend Market on a Saturday morning can be a great introduction to some of the local fare, with an Artisan Baker just across the road.
• The Rangihoua Olive Mill offers the opportunity to learn about and taste high quality Extra Virgin olive oil.
• When in season, Te Matuku Bay Oysters can be found on the menu of most Waiheke Island restaurants, however if you fancy taking a dozen down to the beach with a bottle of wine, you can pick some up from their retail shop in Ostend.
• If you are interested in wine and food matching, Peacock Sky Vineyard offers morsels of tempting food created daily by the vineyard owners carefully matched with their wines.
• The Island also produces a range of chutney’s, wild honey, and the famous local green herb spread. Keep an eye out for them in the vineyards and shops around the Island.

A delicious day trip from Auckland

Combining some of these gourmet treats with a visit to several wineries can make for a very enjoyable day trip from Auckland. Ananda Tours offer a Gourmet's Food and Wine Tour, which includes some of the highlights and time to stop for lunch at one the the Islands vineyards or a beachside cafe.