The Lodge at Mudbrick

Hotel · Waiheke Island

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The Lodge at Mudbrick by null
The Lodge at Mudbrick by null
The Lodge at Mudbrick by null
The Lodge at Mudbrick by null
The Lodge at Mudbrick by null
The Lodge at Mudbrick by null

Highlights

Mudbrick Vineyard is a stunning oasis where French-inspired charm meets breathtaking views, offering delightful dining and exceptional wines just a trek away.

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126 Church Bay Road, Waiheke Island 1971, New Zealand Get directions

$$$

Tony went boar hunting and then cooked it at the lodge where he was staying.

Clouds and wind streaks in the sky
New Zealand
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Mar 16, 2022

View Postcard for The Lodge at Mudbrick

Christine Campbell

Google
A very special few days in August with my daughter visiting from the UK. Merlot cottage was lovely and peaceful and everything you could want was available. Having breakfast provided was a main reason for choosing Mudbrick and we enjoyed a complimentary Mudbrick sparkling wine, superb dinner with red wine on our first night, then browsed the island, shopped, wined and dined, and returned for cocktails and to enjoy the view for a couple more nights. Perfect!

Svetla Nestorova

Google
The venue is stunning, offering amazing food and wine in a typical French atmosphere. Relax in various spots, from fine dining with ocean and scenic views to casual lounging under the trees. The very nice garden, filled with lots of lavender, adds to the charm.

Stanley Hichens

Google
Great service, friendly waiter, telling us about their wines. Had a good time.

Tom Huck

Google
Fabulous views and setting. Enjoyed the wine tasting.

Gary Jones

Google
Went to the winery and restaurant. A bit expensive but well worth the experience. The 1kg rib eye to share was cooked to perfection. The view is breath taking.

Rod Hinchco

Google
Had an excellent evening with family. Great wine. Atmosphere to die for.

Dewald Greyling

Google
We went for wine tasting and bought 2021 syrah

Jenna Young

Google
A trek to get there (we walked and I wouldn't do it again as it's a long, hot, rather steep walk) but the Vineyard is Idyllic. You could be sitting in a villa in France - but with a view of the city and Rangitoto Island. Absolutely fabulous. Best wine I've tasted in New Zealand was the Mudbrick Pinot Gris Reserve - honestly beautiful! Had amazing service by all the waitresses.

Angela B.

Yelp
Beautiful setting and the wine tasting was surburb. Walked around upon first arrival to see the property and it was amazing. The views were unbeatable and of course with the sun shining made for a lovely wine tasting. They were quite busy so sat inside for part of the tasting as I couldn't find a place to stand outside and set down my glasses. Went with the premium tasting which had 6 different wines being poured two at a time. Hence why the table was needed. The wines were tasty and the lady who poured gave good background on the vintage as well as the differences. Was surprised I liked the Merlot as much seeing I typically don't drink red. Recommend stopping in and next time will try so if the food as it looked good.

Miranda N.

Yelp
Took one of the first ferries over to Waiheke island from downtown Auckland, and arrived at Mudbrick via the hop on hop off bus. Mudbrick is one of the first stops, and it set my expectations high. The grounds are beautiful with great views. Because I got there early, I had my choice of seating. I could see this area filling up quickly in the afternoons, so plan accordingly. I did the flagship tasting, which was $44 NZD. I don't know much about wines at all, but I enjoyed the red wine varietals over the white wine ones. The food sounded appetizing, but seemed to be on the more expensive end, so I opted to eat later. I wish this vineyard was my last stop, because I felt like the other ones didn't compare. I would definitely come back here if I'm lucky enough to find myself in New Zealand!

Mike T.

Yelp
Took a ferry ride over from Auckland and decided to try some local wine. Mudbrick is a beautiful property with amazing views of the city in the distance. Their wine are fantastic and we really enjoyed their Bordeaux style blends. We had a quick bite for lunch at the restaurant. They only had a limited menu for lunch but it was perfect because we weren't very hungry. The spicy squid was amazing. The fries and oysters were also delicious. Highly recommend visiting this place if you can.

Sara G.

Yelp
Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant Mudbrick is a cottage dream. The scenery alone is worth the trip, but the food takes it to another level. I ordered the salad leaves and the crudo of the day, which happened to be tuna, one of my favorites. The freshness and flavors were absolutely delicious. We sat outside in their front courtyard with arguably the best view of the water and Auckland Skyline. What a wonderful lunch and the beginning of a great day.

Tara O.

Yelp
Beautiful scenery, well decorated space with exceptional service. The food was stunning as well as thoughtful and delicious. Would recommend for a special occasion or to celebrate life!

Alexis Andrea N.

Yelp
Beautiful winery with scenic views of the water, all the way to Auckland CBD! There are lots of outdoor areas to enjoy the wine at lined with cobble stones, lavender and comfy bean bags. I did the flag ship tasting for $44. They give you 2 at a time to walk around with which is a perfect way to enjoy both the grounds and the wine. I went to the archive for lunch where I ordered the gazpacho and the bok choy plate. Both were fresh and delicious!

Jasmine A.

Yelp
Our last stop of the day on Waiheke Island was Mudbrick for dinner. When on vacation, we like having at least one "fancy" (ie expensive) dinner, and we chose Mudbrick. We had reservations for 6:30pm at the bistro (the main restaurant was unavailable for whatever reason), and I have no idea what the difference is between the bistro and restaurant, but the bistro was lovely. The food was absolutely AMAZING. My sister and I both had salmon and my husband had lamb and we all LOVED our meals. In addition to our entrees, we also had several drinks each (wine/cocktails) and one dessert. When we received the bill, we were shocked: it was only just over $300NZ. Yes, $300 is a lot, but for the amount of food and drink we ordered, and the QUALITY, it really wasn't that bad. (In Vancouver, one below average entree and two drinks can easily run you $60 or more!) In addition to the very reasonable price (which was far less than we were expecting), you aren't even expected to tip! However, the service was EXCELLENT, so we did tip, although not the ridiculous 20% you're required to tip in North America (this tipping nonsense has really got to stop). So with tax and tip, we paid $331.80NZ for a FANTASTIC dinner, with several drinks, for three people, which came to $285CAD. Not bad at all. Dinner at Mudbrick was the best meal I had on our trip and I highly recommend them. [Yelp collections: NZ/Fiji 2023; New Zealand 2023]

Lisa D.

Yelp
The view is stunning. We were a group of 5, we took the ferry over to Waiheke Island to go wine tasting and enjoy lunch. We didn't have a reservation, but it was no problem, we were still seated promptly. We had a stunning view. Our server was friendly, and happily repeated the daily specials 3 times. We were jet lagged- we had just flown in from sfo and had hit the ground running. We each started with a glass of wine while we decided. 1 friend ordered the lamb, 2 ordered the salmon, 2 ordered the ahi, I ordered the Jerusalem harvest. Thankfully a friend also asked for some fries for us to all share as well. Right after we had ordered the table next to us received their entrees- I wish I had ordered the ahi. My vegetables were bland and not very filling. Thankfully I had my friend's fries to munch on. My friends who ordered the salmon asked for it to be cooked medium- they said it still wasn't cooked enough for them. My friend who had the ahi said it was perfect- it did look perfect. The friend with the lamb said it was ok- but it was not the same lamb dish she had here the last time. It got more busy while we were here, and we weren't really checked back in on. We finally just asked for our check. When we asked to pay separately we were told they don't do that. My friend who had been here before said they let her do it last time. There was also an extra 15% surcharge on the bill for it being a holiday weekend that wasn't announced or printed on the menu. I don't think I would come back here again I didn't find the wine to be anything special. The food was bland, and left me hungry: The grounds were pretty. We enjoyed walking around and looking at the tea garden. There are other wineries on the island I like better.

Cheryl S.

Yelp
When in Auckland, take a ferry ride to Waiheke Island for some wine tasting if you don't have Marlborough on your itinerary. Or maybe you do and want to add some more tasting experiences, then I recommend adding Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant to your list. This is one of the first places that my husband and I ventured to during our honeymoon. We were ambitious, or I shall admit, I was ambitious in thinking that we could walk there from the ferry terminal on a warm summer day. The walk was nice. We got to see the houses on Waiheke and got to soak in some of the local life on the way there. It wasn't a challenging walk with inclines or hazards which was appreciated, but, I didn't factor in the strength of the summer sun. As a result, we arrived at the vineyard and restaurant sweaty, which is not always a good luck for wining and dining, lol. Therefore, if you have a chance, I would recommend getting to and from here by taxi as I don't recall it being accessible by bus. However, once you arrive, you can relax like we did, settle in and be welcomed by the lovely scenery on a beautiful, clear day. After cleaning and cooling off, we went straight for the Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand is known for their Sauvignon Blanc so we went straight for it. Note: at this restaurant, for lunch, we did not have the option to order a la carte. The meal came in courses either 2 or 3. We ordered the 2 course set to give ourselves some space for dinner. I believe I ordered the seared salmon which paired perfectly with my Sauvignon Blanc for the first course. I then ordered their Venison Loin which paired perfectly with their recommended glass of Syrah and my husband and I shared their garden greens for some vegetables to round off our meal. He ordered lamb for his course. We were both extremely pleased with our meal. It was worth the walk and an amazing introduction to Waiheke Island. Our glasses of wine paired perfectly with our entrees and the best part of our experience was the view. I highly encourage you to book an outdoor table if you know ahead of time that the weather will be great and the skies will be clear. It's definitely worth it. The service was also excellent and our waiter was both knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend coming to Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant on your visit to Waiheke Island. It's a great way to soak it all in :)

Andrea U.

Yelp
From bare land & a dream in early 1992 to the first plantings and opening the Mudbrick Cafe in 1995, the Jones' grew with sweat, mud bricks and soil to the Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant. Tastings at Mudbrick are led by cellar masters, and our self guided tours were an excellent way to explore the grounds, gardens and vines. We learned about their history, vineyards and award-winning wines. All of the wines we tasted were delicious . We didn't have a reservation so we were seated at the archive wine bar. We shared a charcuterie board, 2 cheeses. We enjoyed our Sauvignon Blanc and a Casira Moro madam rouge with plums, figs, cherry flavors, a potent tanin and a long finish. Everything was exceptional, service was friendly, knowledgeable & attentive. The view and grounds were truly memorable. This was a splurge for lunch.

Christie C.

Yelp
Easily one of the best, if not THE best, vineyard and restaurant on Waiheke. Mudbrick has the best view from all the restaurants from the high end restaurant to their bistros and upstairs seating area. If it's clear enough, you can even see the sky tower in Auckland. I'd recommend checking for sunset time and making reservations near then, the sunset you'll see is amazing. If the views/vibes/aesthetic isn't enough to bring you here, the food will be. I've been to both the restaurant and the bistro and they're both really impressive. If you get the opportunity, eat at the high end restaurant. Ingredients are fresh. Servers are attentive. Someone came out at every single course and explained all dishes to us. Complimentary amuse-bouche of kiwi (not kiwi fruit, but kiwi like New Zealand native) steak and Parmesan cheese was served first, I wish I had more! Valentine's special was a seafood paella with squid ink, served in a sea urchin (uni) shell was so rich and addictive! Scallop crudo was perfect. Seared salmon was to die for, skin was so crisp, seared so perfectly, and the sauces + fish + veggies complimented each other so well. Wild Wapiti Sirloin (venison) was amazing, no gamey flavor whatsoever. The market fish was also really good. Ordered a side of roast agria (potatos) and they even included purple potatos which I loved! If you have room for dessert, absolutely get the Mille Feuille. The best dessert on the menu! We tried to chocolate which was served with lilikoi/passion fruit sauce, they really complimented and balanced each other- the sweetness of the chocolate and tanginess of the lilikoi- amazing! Melon was underwhelming, it was literally a lemon with a small portion of ice cream and candied japaleno- we had a good laugh about this. Again, get the Mille Feuille, you won't regret it.

Norbert K.

Yelp
We absolutely loved our visit to Mudbrick on our trip to New Zealand.  In an afternoon, Mudbrick became one of our favorite wineries anywhere.  The grounds are beautiful, and the view toward Aukland is spectacular.  Enjoying the tasting outdoors was a treat.  Merlot is not one of my top five varietals, but the merlot from the Mudbrick vineyards on Waiheke was outstanding -- flavor of ripe black currents. We're looking forward to a return visit.

Robin M.

Yelp
This was the perfect place to eat overlooking the harbor. The service was impeccable. And the food was delightful. I recommend going for lunch, enjoying a board, and pairing the perfect glass of wine with it. We had dinner, caught a cab back to the ferry, and returned to the mainland.

David B.

Yelp
Check the menu before going, to see if this will work for you. They have about five main dishes, but all are for refined palates. The options were lamb, duck, a couple seafood options, and a mushroom risotto. If you don't like one of those, then this restaurant is not for you. (That said, double-check the menu; hopefully it will evolve in acknowledgement of serving a broader selection of palates.) Those who found food options that worked, seemed to enjoy them. Other tables also seemed to have positive reactions, from the interactions I overheard. Of our party of eight, two folks didn't find a suitable main course; one made the best of it, and one ate bread for lunch. We asked about whether an adult could order from the kids menu, which had chicken, spaghetti, and a more traditional fish option. We were told that the restaurant "couldn't afford" to allow that exception. I assume this is a blanket policy as the restaurant was less than half full; we were there on a weekday, so perhaps it fills up on the weekends, which would make the policy a reason to exist. (Note: I'm keeping this review accessible by not using French. ;) ) The ambiance is great; what's a nicer setting than a vineyard overlooking the ocean? The service was reasonable; that said, we did have to ask for water whenever we wanted it, including the first time, when not all glasses were filled at the outset. I am keeping this review to factual info only (aside from the view, which again -- hard to argue that there's a better setting).

Lauren F.

Yelp
You truly can't beat the views or the value when embarking on their wine tastings. We opted for the Tour of New Zealand, offering 2 Red and 2 White selections. They give you a bit of background regarding the origins as well as what to note as you taste. You're free to take each glass with you and wander the grounds, so we took a spot up on their rooftop bar, which offered views of the island, winery, as well as the water and even central Auckland in the distance. We'd hoped to be able to combine the tasting with a cheese pairing of sorts, but could only do so if sitting in their restaurant. * do note that their is no public transport, requiring either a hired taxi (no Uber) or a ~25 minute walk from the main road.

Tim B.

Yelp
Stunning. The incredible gardens that welcome you to this unbelievable setting are just the start of an amazing visit. The views from the patio are amazing. The people are extremely knowledgeable. The wine was the best we experienced in New Zealand. Just an incredible place all around. Absolutely worth the trip on the ferry (which was very nice) and quite possibly worth the flight from the USA! I've been to so many wineries all over the world, including some of the most famous and this is the most beautiful winery I've visited to date. Depending on your taste you should easily find a wine you absolutely love. For me it was the Bordeaux blend, the petit Syrah and the Chardonnay. Loved them so much that I'm having a couple cases shipped home for Xmas gifts (and of course a few for the cellar. Seriously you will be so glad you visited! Don't miss this one!

Lori H.

Yelp
This place is wonderful. We walked from the bus stop. Stunning views on this beautiful island. Tried the Pinot noir and their flagship wine which is a cab/merlot. Excellent. The food we got was amazing. Our server was lovely.

Jim M.

Yelp
We came back and had dinner! Fantastic! As expected! Mudbrick is really special. I can't imagine a time when we come to New Zealand without going there.

'O'oe C.

Yelp
Wow, what an experience. After a day of popping in to other vineyards for tastings, THIS is the experience we were looking for. We had a tasting in the cellar followed by dinner up at the restaurant. The wines were exceptional and the views were unmatched. It was such a beautiful romantic setting as we watched the sun set during our meal. The food was delicious as well. This absolutely is a 'must do' experience while visiting Waiheke Island.

Sarah G.

Yelp
Large vineyard with good views, large garden and a extensive wine selection. Close to ferry terminal!

Danny L.

Yelp
Delightful experience and a must try if you are visiting the island. They have two restaurants here. One is a casual bistro style and one is a more formal style. I heard that they both have great views and food, but we decided to eat at the bistro because we wanted something casual (plus it sounded cheaper). We ordered the just entrees (appetizers) for our dinner. We got the braised octopus ($26 NZD), cinnamon braised goat ($26 NZD), and makikihi fries ($10 NZD). All dishes were amazing with unique flavors. With the makikihi fries, we were both very happy and satisfied. The view from the Bistro is nice. Hopefully you can get a nice window seat or sit outside. They have busses going to and from here. If you decide to take a taxi instead, expect to pay a bit more. Although they take reservations, it wasn't really needed for us at the Bistro. With this said though, we came on a week day during the evening.

Catherine W.

Yelp
We had the best experience at Mudbrick! Service was absolutely wonderful and the food was delicious! I had the best oysters, lamb and scallop crudo in my life here. It's our 3rd day in NZ and it was the best meal we've had so far! Waitress gave us complementary bubbles when she found out we're on our honeymoon! So sweet! We also got window seats overlooking the vineyard and it was absolutely beautiful! The place was very clean, classy and romantic atmosphere! They played a couple songs I played at my wedding so it was such a nice pleasant surprise.

Kristin S.

Yelp
Meh ... it was just ok . After reading all the reviews, we decided to make a dinner reservation for my birthday . My boyfriend contacted the restaurant prior to let them know it was my birthday ( I didn't know this until later.) He was told there would be bubbles and we would have a memorable dinner . Nope. It was not special at all and the food was just ok. Not amazing, not memorable. Just ok . It is a beautiful property, but don't fall for the hype.i wish our expectations had been might lower going in

Desirea H.

Yelp
First, the ambiance is beautiful! No denying this. But get past the view and it was ehhhh! Did not live up to the hype. If you want to spend money to be treated like you're unimportant well this is the place. The service is pretentious, unfriendly, and unhelpful - and we found this attitude consistent with each staff member we came across. Rooftop bar has amazing views and the aesthetics is quite nice. Unfortunately, the bartenders cannot make drinks. They should stick to wine only. I first ordered a "Passion Fruit Caipirinha" cocktail - I basically got a $24 syrupy juice that was undrinkable. Went to try the "Summer Soirée" this time the manager made as we shared that the first was no good. Sadly, the managers drink was unimpressive. Stuck to red wine after the first two fails. Venison Tartar was outstanding.

Tim K.

Yelp
Really great food and wine! We dined at the restaurant, then went next door to the cellars and did a wine tasting. Pricey but well worth it.

James S.

Yelp
My wife said that this is the best Focaccia bread that she has had in her entire life. She grew up in New York and also has traveled around Europe a lot so I was shocked when she said this. We also got the lamb for two which was a huge amount of food and delicious. The red wine that the waiter recommended was also really nice. I would recommend making a reservation in advance for sunset. It was beautiful watching all the different colors light up the sky over Auckland and the water. We rented our car from Waiheke Motors and picked it up right at the ferry terminal. I'd recommend doing this over the tour buses and public buses because you are in control of your own time schedule. Also it is way better than biking because you will be covered in dust and it was so hot walking around in the summer time. Only regret was not staying on the island in a hotel for 2 days. We had to cram in 6 wineries into one day - they were all great! If you only have one day then try to hop on the 8am ferry from Auckland because the ferry lines get packed after 9am. Here was our schedule: Man O' War - Wine Tasting Passage Rock - Wine Tasting and Pizza Lunch Casita Miro - Wine Tasting Stoney Ridge - Wine Tasting/Nap on the lawn Batch - Wine Tasting Mudbrick - Sunset Dinner

Mervin Nāea C.

Yelp
The views are breathtaking! Words cannot describe the panoramic splendor. Not only are there 2 award winning restaurants and exceptional on property, there's also lodging accommodations for special occasions if booked far enough in advance! A definite itinerary stop if you're a wine lover and are in the Auckland area!

Jim R.

Yelp
We were exploring Waiheke on a day trip from Auckland and decided to have lunch at the Bistro. We made reservations (just in case) on the ferry ride over for a 12:15 lunch and arrived right on time. We were able to get a nice table outside looking off over the sea. You could even see most of the way to Auckland since they are located on a great high spot. The Bistro menu isn't huge and many of the items seemed a bit more substantial than we were looking for at lunch so we ended up selecting their anti pasta platter (NZ$75) and a couple of glasses of wine which was the perfect lunch on a bright and sunny day. The platter was loaded with meat, cheese, bread, olives and even some chili marinated shrimp and was just right for two. While we didn't take the time to do a wine tasting, we did enjoy both the Pinot Gris and a glass of Rose with our platter. The view alone across the harbor to Auckland is reason enough to stop in for lunch, and the quality food and drink deals the deal. Recommended

Yasmina C.

Yelp
Such an incredible view, great wine and amazing cheese board! We ended our day over here on Waiheke Island with Mudbrick Winery! Pretty incredible watching the sunset tasting all kinds of wines and snacking on their starters! Super great and super friendly staff! They were very helpful and really nice :)

Christina C.

Yelp
My favorite stop in Waiheke Island and an amazing place to spend a few hours!! $10 for a wine tasting.. doesn't get much better than that. Absolutely love their Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. Staff were all warm and friendly as well. I came with a large group and they gave a great table outside to enjoy the warm weather and soak in the incredible views.

Lin C.

Yelp
Decided to wine down the day at this beautiful vineyard. The views are breathtaking. There are clear views to Auckland. Stopped in to have a few more oysters but they sold out!! So went straight to dessert!! Ordered Big chocolate cheesecake 72% chocolate orange news roasted white chocolate ice cream and also sticky ginger bread with butter scotch saffron pear orange and ginger ice cream. What two great desserts to end the day!! All I can say is WOW!

Korie L.

Yelp
After hopping between a few different wineries, we finished off the day at Mudbrick, with dinner reservations at about 6:30, just in time for a beautiful view of the sun setting over the bay. The food was PHENOMENAL. The oysters sell out so quickly- and for good reason- they're so fresh and delicious. We also had the gnocchi, lamb, and braised octopus. All were delicious, and I'd especially like to highlight the octopus- it was cooked perfectly, not too chewy and so flavorful. We enjoyed the rest of the sunset and a little into the night on the rooftop bar with some Reserve Pinot Gris. Just the right amount of crisp and sweetness for a refreshing drink... And the view! Absolutely stunning! The staff at Mudbrick is so thoughtful- it gets a little chilly as the sun was goes down, and they provided the softest blankets for outdoor dining/rooftop guests. Overall an absolutely amazing dining, drinks, and experience. Looking forward to returning!

Jennifer L.

Yelp
This dinner; what can I say?? Christmas Eve special meal in a castle like Vineyard restaurant. We showed up late & they went ahead & sat us at 245 pm for a 3 course meal with 2 small children; generous! My favorite wine is their Pinot Gris. My boys enjoyed the battered hot dogs & Ice cream sundaes. I LOVED the Fresh Seafood appetizer with oysters scallops & abalone. I didn't know you could still buy abalone fresh anywhere except for Monterey Bay. They actually catch it in the bay in front of the mudbrick restaurant. My husband had the Pork Belly. We both had the lamb entrée and were quite happy, however it is quite rich so make sure you're in the mood for that. We finished with Yogurt & Chocolate desserts that were complex & satisfying. There were also fun palate cleansers in between courses. I strongly recommend the restaurant for special occasions.

Travis B.

Yelp
This was our favorite stop on a wine tour of Wahekei Island. It was by far the most beautiful and had the most liberal pours! The grounds are stunning with views overlooking all the way to the bay. Others must agree....wedding bookings are made 3 years in advance! The landscape is terraced not only with grape vines but also edible gardens. There are horses as well. Our wine guide was passionate but not aloof and was very personable. His overview of the winery was interesting. The wines were also the most reasonable of the 4 wineries we visited that day. There is food for purchase but we didn't. Great last stop of the day.

Andrea G.

Yelp
We had a reservation at Mudbrick and then this just happened to be our last stop on our Waiheke Island winery tour, so after a fabulous tasting and view of the vineyards, we bid our tour goodbye and remained at Mudbrick. Our reservation was in the cafe as a wedding had occupied the more formal dining setting. But no worries! The cafe was amazing - open patio with a fantastic view of the water and mountains and a perfect view of the sunset. The food - amazing!!!!!!! Like top notch, delicious, cleaned all my plates and I rate the fish of the day as one of my top 5 fish dishes ever. It was superb! They were out of one of two meat dishes so my husband had to order the lamb - which he enjoyed. I even ate my dessert - a warm ginger cake. After our fine dining, we sat on the couches outside and continued to enjoy the sunset. When we were ready to go, Mudbrick called us a taxi and it was just a short 15$ ride to the ferry. Don't miss out on this beautiful and delicious winery/restaurant if on Waiheke.

Jeremy B.

Yelp
I toured Mudbrick Vineyard on the Waiheke Island wine tour. The tastings staff is friendly and outgoing. In fact, by a funny coincidence, one of the servers was originally from NV, so as a Californian we bonded easily. The wines that were offered were uniformly wonderful. As I was planning to purchase two bottles for my hosts in Auckland, she kindly advised me that it was actually more economical to buy three. Two for my hosts, one for me. Done. (and my hosts ended up sharing theirs anyway!) My only criticism is for the restaurant. If you are not part of a group, and without a reservation, you tend to be ignored. But, lesson learned. The setting of the vineyard is gorgeous. So peaceful and a great getaway from a bustling city. Since there are over 30 wineries on Waiheke Island, I returned on another day for the wine tour, and stopped at three different vineyards.

Mark S.

Yelp
Great views, good food and nice wines. Laid back atmosphere where you can lounge around for a while. 3 minutes away from Cable Bay but 30 times better. Surprised by the Syrah. Not too spicy, very approachable but still has the essence of Syrah. Great for people like me who aren't fans of typical Syrahs. Cab blend was good as well a tinge of bite to make it interesting but well balanced outside of that. Sauvignon Blanc is dangerous as you feel very little of the alcohol and it has a bold sweetness. You're done before you know it. Rose was super refreshing so dangerous as well. Drinking a glass on a hot summer day would go in an instant.

Claudia C.

Yelp
You must visit this place My recommendation is to take the round trip ferry from Auckland which costs 60 dollars per person Along with the hop on hop off bus and you can visit all the different vineyards in the island. Do keep in mind that most close at 4 pm though Mud brick closes at 9 pm and 6 pm on Sunday's We are at the bistro which is cheaper than their formal dinning room The octopus , the short rib and the grilled cauliflower were amazing Wine is very good but a bit steep ( around 15 for the glass ) Service is fast and friendly The chef sent a sample of their cheddar because the food took longer than expected

Cinthia K.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant and vineyard on the western part of Waiheke Island. Came here with the bf for our last night in New Zealand as a special cap to our trip across the globe. Service was impeccable and friendly, and the grounds were meticulously manicured and beautiful. There was even a friendly vineyard cat that approached us as we hung out on the deck just outside of the restaurant. For my actual meal, I had their pakoras as my main and a side of their broccolini. The pakoras were tasty and the broccolini served their purpose of being a fresh-tasting green vegetable side. I had a couple of glasses of wine as well (though their names/types escape me at the moment): a glass of one of their wines to go with my meal, and a glass of one of their reds to go along with dessert (a cheese platter shared between the bf and me). A great place for a special meal, if you ever find yourself in Auckland.

Ashley P.

Yelp
Huh. Doing some research before my visit to Waiheke, Mudbrick certainly seemed to be one of the more popular and longer-established vineyards on the island. We didn't experience the restaurant but just came for a tasting, and it seemed quite busy. We had to belly up to the tasting bar, and it was difficult to get someone's attention. Mudbrick pours fairly young wines and seemed to have more whites on the menu. I much prefer reds, so I elected to try only their Syrah, which was the only red available. It didn't have much of a flavor profile to me. Tasting room staff were nice but very busy with no time to really discuss any of the wines. I felt very rushed. They did have some cute gifts you could buy that would make good souvenirs. And I will say the grounds are quite beautiful. It was really pleasant to just sit outside and avoid the bustling tasting room. Overall, the wine and service I experienced were kind of "meh," and I can't say I'd recommend this spot.

Savannah M.

Yelp
I'm only not giving this place a 3 for the lovely French girl in the tasting room and the legit Parmesan gnocchi. It's just overly crowded and apparently that means your service is crap. Amazing views, that's for sure. Tasty wine and solid gnocchi, but you'd think they'd staff up if they knew they had several larger parties. They definitely dropped the ball there. I was just a little shocked (negatively) by the poor service in the cafe type area. I may have been riding solo, but I was well-equipped and prepared to drink there for a few hours with amazing views a la Julia Roberts shopping on Rodeo in Pretty Woman... but nope, parties of two are apparently better than this party of one. Oh well, next winery!

Powder W.

Yelp
Hmmm, The wine was good but the tasting was not. Not much to choose from, at all, it seemed. The setting was very nice and the staff were lovely. The menus were really highly priced for what they offered. I rather wish we had opted to go to Cable Bay instead but they had closed by then. I think a lot of the business at Mudbrick would have been prospective Cable Bay visitors had they not closed earlier than Mudbrick. Worth going to, if you have time, BUT please don't miss Te Motu or Tantalus Estate to visit.

Ariana K.

Yelp
Signed up for a wine tour, this was our last stop of the day. We decided to eat first before drinking more. The food was amazing and beautifully plated. Finally we had the pleasure to sample 5 wines. All amazing! Wish we could have stayed longer. + Reserve Pinot Gris 2016 + Reserve Pinot Noir 2015 + Reserve Tempranillo 2015 + Mudbrick Velvet 2014 + Reserve Noble Riesling 2014

Anthony L.

Yelp
Being your love ones. They will be so happy and excited. Very nice restaurant and view are crazy. Is too crazy nice view ! Love it. Food is good too. Recommended !

Pedro H.

Yelp
Terrible service! We waited like a half hour no one took our order. Finally asked someone to take order and when it came no utensils and napkins...we had to get up and get ourselves. Table beside us even left! They were not even packed! Dreadful!!!

Edmond T.

Yelp
As promised, Mudbrick delivers a great experience: amazing view from the winery restaurant, solid food execution and good wine. The winery is conveniently located near the hop on hop off bus stop. I personally prefer the Cabernet blend than the Central Otago Pinot, but overall it is still the best experience out of the wineries on the island.

Dan H.

Yelp
Wine was good. The dessert Riesling was unique and definitely recommend it. The tasting room is quite small and constrained but the outside patio and restaurants are spectacular. Great views from this winery. We've heard very good things about the food but just focuses on wine tasting on this visit.

Brett D.

Yelp
Great food, great wine, great views. We ended up going back to waiheke island just to eat here again.

Andrew T.

Yelp
After being recommended to us as a good place for a sunset dinner by the owners at "The Local", we stopped by later that evening for dinner, and were not disappointed. I had the seared snapper, which was...some of the better cooked fish I have ever had. Delicious salty seared crust, firm but flaky inside, not overcooked, not wet, just...perfect. Terrific flavor, all with a sort of smokey creamy sauce, some falafel (which were good, but honestly, overly cumin-y) and some grilled greens. It was just a very good meal. Because Dad and I got the same thing and there was no starch, we also got an order of the crispy potatoes, which came in a sort of mustard dressing, and these were also quite good piping hot, fluffy potato, crispy battered outside, and a not overpowering mustard sauce. Went really nicely with the snapper. Really enjoyed this meal. As I'm saying in all my NZ reviews, price was, I thought, quite reasonable for what we got. I'd expect to pay more in any US city, and I'd certainly expect to pay more in a touristy island destination like Waiheke. And yes, the sunset was great. Very nice view of the city skyline, and when the weather is good, as it was for us, then you won't be upset about the view.
The Lodge at Mudbrick on Postcard