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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Sharon Pelletier
in the last weekWhat a wonderful way to get a brief taste of Waiheke! we only had a brief time and this was recommended as the best place to visit if we could only go to one winery. So glad we took that advice! The views are stunning, the staff was so friendly, and the food was delicious--as of course were the wines. We took a cab from the ferry depot and arranged with the same driver to come back for our needed departure time, which worked out perfectly. Would love to visit more of the island's wineries in future but will definitely want to make a second trip to Mudbrick.
T S
in the last weekI have had the pleasure of attending a wedding and my birthday at Mudbrick and have also visited numerous other times for tastings when visiting Auckland and it never grows old. The garden is out of a fairytale, the restaurant is beautiful, tastings are great, food is delicious, wine is classic, staff are amazing, views are gorgeous, sunset bar takes your breath away and the sunsets with a glass in hand.. to die for. Such a special, romantic and beautiful spot - hard to beat.
Jess Anderson
a month agoFrom the moment we arrived, Mudbrick completely exceeded expectations. The food was absolutely exceptional — every dish was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. The service was just as impressive: warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming without ever feeling overbearing. And the view? Simply breathtaking. Overlooking the vineyards and the ocean beyond, the setting is nothing short of magical. The combination of stunning surroundings, impeccable service, and world-class cuisine makes Mudbrick a truly special destination. We’ll definitely be back — it’s a place that stays with you long after you leave. Thank you.
Shawn J
a week agoProbably the most popular vineyard on the Island, and for good reason. The grounds are beautiful, the staff in the tasting room...friendly & knowledgeable and the late afternoon sunset view from a comfy bean bag, DJ spinning tunes in the background and a delicious red wine in my hand... absolutely perfect. Highest recommendation.
Becky
2 months agoWe just had the most incredible 2 night stay in Olive Cottage at Mudbrick. From the moment we arrived it felt like home. All of the staff, from the waitstaff in the restaurant to Anita from housekeeping to Karen in admin, were so welcoming to us and our toddler and went above and beyond. The cottage itself was beautiful, spotlessly clean and perfectly equipped. We loved the views and the comfy beds and particularly loved having our own private path to dinner. We had a car with us so it was a very quick 5 min trip to the local village where we quickly found the best coffee and fish and chips. Mudbrick is truly magical and if we ever find ourselves in NZ again we will definitely be returning!