Day 51 - Auckland, New Zealand

Choo choo! All aboard the wine train. Today is Vineyard crawl. Aka self made wine tour. 

I wake up to an unusual sound... the noise of a washing machine as Nat has put another wash on. Just like being at home!

We then head to the pier for the 12pm boat to Waiheke Island. There are no official tours left so we decided to make our own. Luckily Waiheke Island is pretty small and well connected with their own bus service so we just pay for the return ferry (a lovely 40 min cruise from Auckland) and a day bus pass for the island. It turns out to be such a better decision. Despite a lot more booze than you would get on the tour and the ability to go at our own pace we are at least $50 up at the end of the day. 

We are so lucky with the weather today too. It's gorgeous with barely a cloud in the sky, turning to a perfect blue sky all afternoon. Great views of Auckland as we set off towards Waiheke. 

Nat's mouth is feeling much better today. She is back on form!!

We get to the port and jump on the bus across the other side of the island to Stoneridge Vineyard, out first stop. 

This was apparently named one of the top 10 Vineyards to visit in the world by the UK Guardian and I can see why. A lovey place and some awesome wines. The Church Bay Chardonnay (first of our five on the list below) is surprisingly our favourite wine here. So fresh and perfect for a summers day. 

Nat racking them up (after being ID'd)

The setting for this Vineyard is stunning. Such a beautiful piece of country side. 

Next we got the bus back to the other side of the island to head to a small grouping of great Vineyards recommend to us by Gus. Unfortunately we miss our stop and end up back at the harbour which turns out well when we discover a lovely walk through the hills to Cable Bay Vineyard. The walk is gorgeous, first through the bush then across more open land. 

Wines 5-10 at the very plush Cable Bay. 

The Five Hills Waiheke Island is our favourite here. It's a lovely Merlot Malbec blend. So much going on in this wine - it gets right up in your grill (this is official wine parlance). Delicious. 

This place has an awesome view of Auckland across the fields. 

We then walk down the road to the next Vineyard called Mudbrick. Probably the most famous on the island. This is the view back over to Cable Bay enroute. 

Mudbrick is equally as gorgeous. As a setting probably better than Cable Bay although Cable Bay probably has the better view. 

The next tasting commences. 

Lie favourite one here is the Sheperds Point Merlot-Malbec 2011 (4th one down). 

Time for another glass of the Sheperds Point sat on the terrace after the tasting. An idyllic setting. 

And a cheese board of course...

After, we try for one more vineyard next door but it is closed so we head back to Cable Bay to chill out on the lawn. We are so happy to be missing the crappy first day back at work post Christmas back in the UK. Luckily the only 'January blues' this year are the blues of the sky!

These bean bags were unbelievably comfortable. Could have sat here all day. 

We then take the gorgeous half hour walk back across the fields to the port to get the boat back to Auckland. The tide has really gone out now. 

Great view of Auckland on the way back. 

Back in Auckland we head back to the epicentre of good bars and restaurants around the EY building! We have a drink at the gorgeous Orleans bar which makes us excited about visiting New Orleans later in our trip with the great pictures on the walls. 

We then head to a great Mexican unimaginatively called Mexico that had passed last night. Such a cool place and heaving for a Monday night. We even had to queue. 

All in all an absolutely fantastic day sampling 17 different very tasty wines. Up there with one of our best of the trip (although there are many contenders). Waiheke Island is a hell of a spot. One of the most beautiful places on earth. I think for the settings of the Vineyards it beats Stellenbosch and Franschoek in South Africa although the towns in those places are a bit prettier. 

Massive thanks to Gustavo for his recommendations today. We would not have been here if it wasn't for his Facebook message a few days ago so thank you kind Sir. Fantastic recommendations. Please send more!!!