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
a month 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.
Steve Reindler
2 weeks agoWe hired the two cottages Merlot and Olive for a Saturday night and dined at the restaurant. It is truly great to see products of this quality on the market in NZ. Re dinner, it was a perfect evening and every bit as special as we were hoping. Attentive, friendly and well trained staff, and every dish was special and interesting for taste and presentation. We took the 3 course option and considered it good value given the quality of food. The cottages provided us with supreme relaxation where every little detail had been thought through for our comfort. The decors are incredibly cute and the seatings provided sumptuous. Expensive, yes, but overall we felt superbly treated and well rewarded.
Kane Richards
a month 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 🙌🏻💯
Julian Pollard
2 weeks agoGreat Restaurant - amazing food, fabulous setting. What a treat on a wet day. The ambience was welcoming with an open fire while we watched the wind and rain outside. We have dined here from time to time over many years and the standard of the food has always remained high. Everything from the location to the food and the staff was superb.
Ben
a month agoMudbrick was an amazing spot. I took my partner here on the first day of our 2 week NZ vacation from the US, and this was our first stop after I proposed to her! We took a helicopter flight and landed on Mudbrick's helipad. Hannah, in particular, was a huge help in helping me plan this secret proposal and celebration. We did the 7-course meal with a wine pairing and we had a wonderful time. The food and wine was all spectacular, and the staff were so generous and helpful in making this a special night. Harry, our waiter, did a great job to make things extra special as well. The view from the dining room is fantastic, as was the view from the outdoor terrace. We will remember Mudbrick for a long, long time as being such a wonderful part of our engagement. Thanks, Mudbrick team!