Robyn and Nicholas Jones are the owners and operators of Mudbrick, a vineyard and restaurant located on Waiheke Island in New Zealand. They have been in business for over 27 years, having started the venture in 1992 with the goal of establishing a vineyard and living off the land. Despite having no previous experience in winemaking or hospitality, the couple has successfully grown their business with a customer-focused approach. They began planting vines on the property in 1992, and over the past 29 years, they have expanded to four different vineyard sites on Waiheke Island. These sites, the Mudbrick Vineyard, Hawke’s Crest, Shepherds Point, and Sea View Road, are home to a variety of red and white grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Syrah. In addition to these, they also grow Cabernet franc, Malbec, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Albariño, and Petit Verdot. In order to produce a diverse range of wines, they also source grapes from other regions in New Zealand, such as Marlborough and Central Otago.
At Mudbrick, the Joneses prioritize traditional winemaking techniques in order to produce high-quality wines with unique flavors and aromas. This includes handpicking their grapes, which they believe allows them to select only the ripest and most flavorful fruit. They also use hand plunging, a method in which they manually mix the fermenting wines and break up the grape skins to extract flavor and color, rather than using mechanical pumps. Finally, they use gentle basket pressing, which helps to minimize the amount of sediment and tannins in the wine. They believe that these methods, while more labor-intensive, result in wines with greater depth and character. In addition to their traditional techniques, they also utilize modern technology, such as temperature-controlled fermentation tanks, to ensure consistency and quality in their wines.
In addition to their winery, the Joneses also operate a restaurant on the Mudbrick property, offering a menu featuring locally-sourced ingredients and dishes paired with their wines. They strive to create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for their guests and have received praise for the high quality of both their food and their wines. Over the years, Mudbrick has become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and the Joneses are proud of the reputation they have built for their vineyard and restaurant. As they approach retirement age, they reflect on the past 27 years of running the restaurant and 29 years of planting and nurturing their vines. Despite the challenges they have faced, such as the loss of Robyn’s mother, Ann, who was a key figure in the early days of Mudbrick and a source of support and inspiration, they remain passionate about their work and are grateful for the opportunity to share their love of fine wine and food with others. They hope that their guests will also come to appreciate the dedication and care that goes into every bottle of wine and every dish served at Mudbrick.
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Annabelle Gibson
3 months agoWining and Dining at Mudbrick: A Delightful Experience We arrived at Mudbrick, driving up the picturesque driveway, which at the end - welcomed us with trimmed hedges and fragrant lavender and rosemary bushes surrounding the venue - so serene and beautiful! Their restaurant is a stunning blend of sophistication and charm, with meticulously set tables upon rustic brick floors, offering a breathtaking view of Rangitoto and the glistening sea beyond. We decided to indulge in the two-course à la carte menu. I started with the dry-aged duck, which was for sure a treat. The dish came with a crispy croquette of pulled duck, duck topped with prosciutto, and a luscious korma sauce that added a depth of flavour. The Pav was a stunning work of art: crispy meringue, cream, and gorgeous flowers garnishing the top – the dish was almost too pretty to eat (spoiler alert: I ate it and thoroughly enjoyed it). We enjoyed two glasses of wine each. I opted for the Mudbrick Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, and both were delightful. What truly elevated the experience, though, was the service. The staff were attentive by taking the time to explain the menu and each dish/wine with such care and detail. This really made the whole experience feel even more special. I can’t wait to return to Mudbrick – the sunset bar and the cellar door are definitely on my list for next time! If you're looking for a beautiful spot to wine and dine with a stunning view, I highly recommend this place.
Richard Coleman
a week agoDid the Waiheke tasting, 5 wines for $30. All of amazing standard, loved them all. Great service and chat with the young American lady (sorry didn’t get her name), you’re a credit to the wine industry. Great knowledge and friendly as to boot. Great views too, highly recommend
Kane Richards
3 months agoWhat an out of this world experience. We opted for the three-course menu option with starters and sides, and the experience did not disappoint. We were fortunate enough to have the best seat in the house next to the bifold doors taking in an incredible view with a light breeze and the perfect amount of sunlight. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about food/wine pairing. Can’t thank the team enough for this great experience, we loved every part of it. We’ll be back for sure 🙌🏻💯
Tong Zhang
a month agoExtremely friendly staff, shoutout to the female staff from UK who works in the wine cellar for tastings. She’s so professional and helpful. We ended up getting two bottles from the icon tasting and one bottle from the South Island tasting. The view and the food was also superb. Great for a weekend gathering. One tiny thing is that the birds are ferocious and try not to sit under the tree if you wanna sit outdoors. We got bird poop in our dishes and on our knife. It’s not really the vineyard’s fault, just nature, and maybe be aware if you care about this sort of thing
Ryan Perry
a month agoWe had a dinner after our elopement wedding and the service and quality was second to none. It was quiet being a Tuesday, and the younger guy who served us was amazing and attentive (can't quite remember his name possibly Lesley?) He finished his shift before we had finished dinner, so we mentioned to the FOH how great he was when we left - turns out he is usually behind the bar but made our evening one of the best ever!! Absolute legend and great food and wine.