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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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Google Reviews

4.5
1,124 reviews
  • Tucker
    Tucker
    a week ago

    Day tripped here first day in Auckland. Very easy to take the ferry then either walk / bus / or take taxi to restaurant. We took a bus then walked. Food was terrific. Setting is beautiful. Wine was delicious. Good service. Took a 12pm ferry and had plenty of time to return on the 4Pm.

  • Carolyn H
    Carolyn H
    2 weeks ago

    Gorgeous property and the food and wine were impeccable. We did the seven course dinner with wine pairing and it was the highlight of our trip to Waiheke. The views at sunset are incredible!

  • Lisa Seymour
    Lisa Seymour
    a week ago

    This is a must do place to eat when your visiting Auckland. An easy ferry ride to Waiheke Island, and then a five min taxi ride to the winery. Food was delicious, view spectacular and service excellent.

  • Sylvia Wilson
    Sylvia Wilson
    3 months ago

    Beautiful surroundings. The food was good, but my lamb was not hot. Must have been sitting under the lights too long. The service was poor. We had to ask for our drinks as they didn't arrive. Too long between courses. Twenty-five minutes. When the mains arrived, there were no fries. We had to ask again, and they arrived after we had eaten our mains. We had planned to have dessert but didn't bother. This day out was a birthday gift from my son. Unlikely to return.

  • Jo Madden
    Jo Madden
    4 weeks ago

    Amazing venue for our anniversary lunch. Exceptional service by the staff. Worth every cent for a special occasion. Stunning views and delicious food. Highly recommended!

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