4/18/2014 - Auckland and Waiheke Island

We drove to the Ferry Terminal in Auckland. We took a Fuller's Ferry over to Waiheke Island. Over 8700 people live on Waiheke Island, 1200 of which commute to Auckland for work. Another 3,400 have second or holiday homes on the island. The population grows to 40K in the summer. The north side of the island is the preferred side: white sandy beaches, protected from winds. The south side consists of black beaches and experiences cold winds and tides from the south.

There are at least 26 vineyards on the island. Goldie Vineyard started the winery industry 35 years ago. Grapes are handpicked. Most picking is done by backpackers - many from South America. Backpackers find temporary housing at people's houses, caravans, cottages and tree houses. 

Olive picking season is 3-4 weeks long and we arrived in the middle of the season. We visited the Rangihoua Estate where we were given a tour of their olive orchard and olive oil operations. We also were treated to a tasting of the oil and herb spread. 60% of olives are picked by hand, 40% mechanically. A parachute is used under the tree and a hand rake is used. The harvest happens when olives are 80% ripe. Each tree yields 16K olives. Leaves and olives are poured into a bin, washed and twigs are removed. Whole olive including the pit is used - smashed - releases tannin. Then they are mixed, the oil separates and then fruit water separates from fruit solids. Rangihoua Olive Oils all very carefully cultivated, harvested and processed to ensure they all achieve a very low acidity and low peroxide values. As a result, all of Rangihoua’s Olive Oils are Extra Virgin. Rangihoua's has won many olive oil awards.

Other fun facts: Water is tank collected rain water. Teenagers look after each other. There are 9 police officers on the island; 90% of crime is drunk driving.

Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant

We then went to Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant for a lecture, wine tasting and lunch. The grounds were beautiful. Tall trees provide wind breaking, nets are used to keep birds of the grape vine (though one joined our lunch). This vineyard produces primarily Bordeaux varietal. From their website: "Plantings currently include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Chardonnay and Viognier. Handpicking, hand plunging and gentle basket pressing reflect in the character of our wines. Our Chardonnay exhibits the vibrancy of dry hot Waiheke summers." They also produce their own vegitables, herbs and even edible flowers.

While we could have stayed on the island all day, we had a schedule to keep: a Maori Cultural Show at the Auckland Museum and our Farewell Reception/Dinner at the Langham Hotel. We had a great time with our tour group and hope they all had reasonable trips home.