Man O'War Winery - Waiheke Island

by Gail
(Auckland)

We arrived at Man O’War Bay Winery just in time! One of Waiheke Island’s family owned wineries this was the first season it was open for wine tasting. As it was closing for winter we arrived just an hour or two before it shut for the next 6 months!

This was a unique setting and a very simple wine tasting facility! A small removable room set on an expanse of grass opposite the beach. The only building on this beachfront.....there was really only room for a maximum of 4-5 people at a squeeze. But somehow this made it all the more interesting.

Owned by one family for almost 30 years this 4,500 acre property spreads over the eastern end of Waiheke Island. The first grapes were planted in 1993.
Grape plantings are scattered in pockets ...... where the soil and sun will produce the quality required for a variety of both red and white wines.

My Take on the Man O’War Wines

Man O’War Sauvignon Blanc

This was a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc - fruity with tangy lemon, citrus flavours coming through.

Man O’War Pinot Gris

The grapes for this fruity, soft spice flavoured Pinot Gris are grown across the water on Ponui Island.....and have produced a pleasant drop. I am probably not the best person to comment...Pinot Gris is not my favourite wine.

Man O’War Chardonnay

Aaaah.... now this I can rave about! A nice, creamy toasty oaked chardonnay – 20% new French Oak and 80% old oak.....this wine had just won a Blue/Gold Award in Sydney’s Top 100.( The Blue means it is good with food)


I wrote on my notes....Mmmmmmmm.....delicious!

2009 Rose

I felt this was more of a dessert wine. It had a distinct vanilla flavour with raspberry nose...and was quite light and rather unusual for a rose.

And now for some Reds which the Waiheke soils and climate suit so well! I love some of the names here.

Ironclad Merlot Cabernet Franc Malbec, 2008 (Black Label)

Detecting a touch of berries in with leathery, burnt flavours, this wine had quite a distinctive flavour. Man O’ War consider this their flagship wine. It won a silver award in the Air New Zealand 2009 Wine Awards. We liked it enough to buy a bottle.

Dreadnought Syrah

This was a delicious rich syrah with peppery and raspberry flavours. Oz Clarke the British Wine Writer and broadcaster liked this wine suggesting it would be best tasted in a year’s time.(2011)It has 5 stars from Michael Cooper and a high rating from Bob Campbell.

When you are next on Waiheke you can combine a trip out to Stony Batter, have a swim or picnic looking over to Ponui and enjoy some wine tasting right on the beach front.